By Jae-Ha Kim
Channel Guide Magazine
August 2006
The “It” factor isn’t something actors can learn, hustle or buy. Either they have it or they don’t. And every year, television produces a break out star or two that has it. Last year, it was Wentworth Miller (“Prison Break”). Never mind that he wore a prison uniform and a buzz cut for the entire season. He exuded yearning sexuality even as his brother was headed for death row. In 2004, Josh Holloway stood out in “Lost,” even though he wasn’t the most classically handsome member of the cast. Holloway injected humor and biting sarcasm into his sleazy role to become an object of desire–on and off the island. And let’s not forget the ladies. Eva Longoria rose above the other “Desperate Housewives” not just with her fiery beauty, killer bod and snappy delivery, but also by staying out of tabloid feuds with her co-stars.
For 2006, we’ve narrowed our list of hot newcomers down to a cast of six. Their faces may look familiar and the names probably already ring a bell. But it’s their charismatic performances that sealed the deal for us. Come meet this year’s hottest rising stars:
Jordana Spiro:
Role: P.J. Franklin on TBS’ “My Boys” (debuts in November)
Where you’ve seen her before: The New York Times raved about her scene stealing moments in “Must Love Dogs.” Spiro also played Annette O’Toole’s daughter in “The Huntress.” You may have also caught her on episodes of “JAG,” “CSI: New York,” “Cold Case” and “Out of Practice.”
The buzz: The Times compared her to a young Goldie Hawn. And like her “Must Love Dogs” co-star Diane Lane, Spiro is one of those beauties that both sexes relate to. Men want to date her. Women want to be her best friend. In “My Boys,” she plays a Chicago sportswriter covering the Cubs beat. P.J. is at home being one of the boys. But when she enters the dating scene, she’s not quite as savvy.
In her own words: “Here’s the funny thing–I’ve never really watched sports,” Spiro tells Channel Guide. “The first sporting event I went to, I asked what time the ‘show’ was starting. But I’ve started watching a lot of sports to get the feel for what P.J. does. My homework has been to play poker, watch baseball and drink beer. My friends are really enjoying watching this side of me.”
Taylor Kitsch
Role: Tim Riggins on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” (8 p.m. Tuesdays)
Where you’ve seen him before: Modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch.
The buzz: There’s nothing kitschy about this lanky 25-year-old Canadian. This month, he’ll appear in two feature films: “John Tucker Must Die” and “Snakes on a Plane.” In September, he’ll be seen in Renny Harlin’s “The Covenant.” And he’s already got his first series: as high school football player Tim Riggins in “Friday Night Lights.” And not for nothing, but in case this acting thing doesn’t work out, Kitsch is a certified nutritionist and personal trainer, too.
In his own words: “I played a little football back home, but we weren’t really exposed to it a lot in Canada,” Kitsch tells us. “I’ve been playing hockey for the past 20 years though, so I wasn’t afraid of getting hurt [filming the series]. Plus, my secret weapon is my double, who’s from Wichita. He lives and breathes football so he makes me look like a pro.” And look out Keanu Reeves, Michael J. Fox and Rob Lowe. Kitsch wants to take you all on…in hockey. “I can’t wait to play a game with all actors,” he says, laughing. “I’ll eat them alive!”
America Ferrera
Role: Betty Suarez on ABC’s “Betty the Ugly” (8 p.m. Fridays)
Where you’ve seen her before: The youngest of six kids, Ferrera, 22, got the acting bug when she was eight. Since then, the in-demand actress has starred in the feature films “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Lords of Dogtown,” and “Real Women Have Curves.”
The buzz: Let’s get one thing straight: America Ferrera is neither ugly nor fat. She’s such an amazing actress, though, that Ferrera can make viewers believe she is. Executive produced by Salma Hayek, “Betty the Ugly” is based on the telenovela “Betty La Fea” and is set in the backstabbing, bitchy world of Mode, a high-fashion magazine where a girl’s biggest crime is being overweight and unattractive. Ferrera plays a plain Jane assistant who overcomes prejudice and cattiness to bond with her womanizing boss.
In her own words: Ferrera doesn’t feel any pressure to diet down to a size 0. “I think Hispanic women are beautiful with their curves,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times. “I’m not sure who feels that way in Hollywood. I was never told to lose 50 pounds. If they think that they just don’t bother with you. You just don’t get the role and you never know why. That’s still better than physically harming yourself and becoming unhealthy just to star in a movie.”
Robert Hoffman
Role: Adam Putnam, on FOX’s “Vanished” (9 p.m. Mondays)
Where you’ve seen him before: Besides appearing in feature films such as “She’s the Man” and “Coach Carter,” the former choreographer also was part of the comedic ensemble cast on MTV’s improv series “Wild ‘n Out.” The self-proclaimed “white boy” holds his own doing some sweet freestyle rhymes. The guy’s got game.
The buzz: The brainchild of Josh Berman (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), “Vanished”–a sleek drama about the disappearance of a senator’s young wife–follow’s “Prison Break” on Fox’s Monday night lineup. The series has hit written all over it. Hoffman, 25, who is best known for his funny lines and wicked dance moves, plays a television news cameraman. He’s playing it smart. While his colleagues are angling for leading man status before proving they’ve got the right stuff, Hoffman’s easing into an ensemble cast. If this show fails, it’s not his fault. If it succeeds, he’s proving he’s a viable addition to any genre.
In his own words: “The thing is, I have no problem letting go when I’m working on someone else’s project,” Hoffman tells us. “I get to exert my creative control with my website (www.punchrobert.com). It’s a place where I can create whatever I want and have complete creative freedom. Then I go to work and do what they hired me to do. When you’ve got a project like ‘Vanished,’ it really is a pleasure. I’m very fortunate.”
Keyshia Cole
Role: As herself on BET’s reality series “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” (9:30 p.m. Wednesdays)
Where you’ve seen her before: On “All of Us,” “Soul Train” and “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” Also, on tour with Kanye West and R. Kelly promoting her album “The Way It Is.”
The buzz: When Cole was all of 12 years old, she sang backup for M.C. Hammer. At 14, she was Marion Suge Knight’s houseguest. Today, the rising R&B singer-songwriter (who looks up to Brandy and Mary J. Blige) has her own reality series. The show could be her “Newlyweds,” which gave a little known singer named Jessica Simpson a forum for her big voice and nutty personality. Look for Cole to be mature beyond her years. She’s packed a lot of living into her 24 years.
In her own words: “I want to be an example for young people–especially growing up in the ‘hood–because it’s already hard enough to not be focused, not to be trying, to be doing something,” Cole says on her website, www.keyshiacole.com. “You have to be really dedicated to doing it for yourself. There’s a lot of trials and tribulations you have to go through to get what you want, especially if you feel like it belongs to you.”
Paul Blackthorne
Role: Harry Dresden on the SCI FI Channel’s “The Dresden Files” (time slot TBA)
Where you’ve seen him before: You loved to hate him as that nasty Stephen Saunders on “24.” He also made appearances on “Medium,” “Deadwood” and “ER.”
The buzz: This series is being produced in association with Nicolas Cage’s Saturn Film’s. And the Oscar- winning actor has nothing but praise for Blackthorne: “Paul’s passion for the part and talent will translate into a charismatic performance.” A good thing, too, since the British actor portrays a Chicago private detective who’s also a wizard (no, really). Blackthorne, 37, is one of the few actors who can stand in Dresden’s shoes: The actor isn’t much shorter than the 6-foot 7-inch character he plays.
In his own words: Asked whether it was easier to work in his native England versus the U.S., Blackthorne told an interviewer at www.sci-fi-online.co.uk: “It’s quite a universal process really. The Brits and the Americans come close to one another in that sense. The sense of humor, the tolerance and the patience is very similar.”
