33 TV Actors Who Gave Award-Worthy Performances With Just A Single Monologue
Anya's speech in "The Body" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer still makes me cry.
We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which TV monologues are the greatest of all time. Here are just a few of the best responses:
🚨Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead!🚨
1. On The West Wing, when President Bartlet delivered this truly iconic speech in both English and Latin after Mrs. Landingham died.
"President Bartlet's monologue in the church in 'Two Cathedrals' is literally the epitome of 'the best TV monologue.' Yelling at God? In a church? In Latin? The entirety of that scene lives in my mind rent free. It's flawless."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 22, or you can watch it here.
2. On BoJack Horseman, when BoJack gave a eulogy at his mother's funeral.
"The entire episode is just one long monologue, and it's perfect in every way."
Where you can find the episode-long monologue: Season 5, Episode 6
3. On Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Anya gave this heartbreaking speech while dealing with Joyce's death.
"She was immortal for so long that someone she cares about dying makes no sense to her. It's not long, but it breaks my heart every time."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 5, Episode 16, or you can watch it here.
4. On How to Get Away with Murder, when Annalise argued in front of the Supreme Court.
"First thing that came to mind was the Supreme Court speech from Annalise on How to Get Away with Murder. It was so powerful and I get chills every time I watch it."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 4, Episode 16, or you can watch it here.
5. On Doctor Who, when the Doctor gave this iconic speech about war and how it only creates a cruel world.
"Peter Capaldi's monologue from 'The Zygon Inversion' is a phenomenal scene where he talks about how war is people being cruel to cruel people, thus only creating more cruel people to replace the people they think are cruel. It's just a great scene that makes some insightful points about how the only way to truly make our world better is by being better people and not stooping to the level of the people we’re trying to replace."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 9, Episode 8, or you can watch it here.
6. On Jane the Virgin, when Jane rambled about how she was doing after learning that Michael was actually alive.
"Jane's asked one simple question, 'How are you doing?' and it sends her on a seven-minute spiel where she goes through a range of emotions and basically sums up the entire series. It's hilarious, emotional, and I've watched it at least 20 times. This monologue basically solidified Gina Rodriguez as my favorite actor."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 5, Episode 1
7. On Grey's Anatomy, when Bailey opened up to Richard about how she was feeling after her miscarriage.
"Dr. Bailey’s monologue after her miscarriage is hands down one of the best monologues I’ve seen on television in years. When she talks about saving everyone, but being unable to save her child, I sob so damn hard."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 16, Episode 10, or you can watch it here.
8. Also on Grey's Anatomy, when Cristina gave this speech to Owen about how Burke took pieces of her.
"Cristina Yang just remains one of the best TV characters ever. Sandra Oh is so talented and this monologue proves it."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 6, Episode 13, or you can watch it here.
9. On The Newsroom, when the series literally started with Will's speech about how America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.
"Jeff Daniels' monologue in front of all those students is mesmerizing. This gave me chills when I first heard it and I think it is extremely relevant today."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 1, or you can watch it here.
10. On The Haunting of Hill House, when Nell was in the Red Room and talked to her siblings about time.
"Nell's monologue toward the end of the series gives me chills. It's incredible."
Where you can find the monologue: Episode 10 or you can watch it here.
11. Also on The Haunting of Hill House, when Theo explained to Shirley how she felt nothing after touching Nell's body.
"I felt every part of this speech because that's what depression feels like. I have felt nothing. I have felt everything. When you feel everything, you want to feel nothing. When you feel nothing, all you want to do is feel something. I have ruined so many relationships — friend, family, romantic — because of it. It's crippling. I felt Theo's pain. I've lived her pain. I understood her pain. It was beautifully done. Kate Siegel is extraordinary in this moment."
Where you can find the monologue: Episode 8
12. On The Haunting of Bly Manor, when Jamie talked to Dani about her childhood and moonflowers.
"I think about it at least twice a day. I want to go out and get a moonflower and try to grow it simply because of Jamie. Also, this monologue was a really good chance to peek into who Jamie is as a person. She was a little rough around the edges at first, so Dani and the audience needed the curtains pulled back a bit. Amelia Eve knocked it out of the park."
Where you can find the monologue: Episode 6
13. On Shameless, when Fiona told Monica about how she has raised all of her siblings.
14. On Fleabag, when Fleabag talked in the confessional to the priest.
"This scene still gives me chills! I remember watching it for the first time and I cried so much at this scene because I was in a terrible place at the time and she basically said everything I was thinking. Sometimes we do want someone to tell us what to do when nothing seems to make sense in our life and to help pick up the pieces."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 4, or you can watch it here.
15. On Euphoria, when Rue talked to Fez about having her first panic attack after her dad was diagnosed with cancer.
16. On Game of Thrones, when Tyrion was on trial and gave this memorable speech.
"Peter Dinklage does such a good job at conveying the deep, raw layers and emotions that Tyrion has. You can hear it in every word! From the anger and sadness of neglect and being falsely accused to the frustration of being beaten down by his family for so many years. It’s too good to not mention!"
Where you can find the monologue: Season 4, Episode 6, or you can watch it here.
17. On Orange Is the New Black, when Taystee talked about Poussey's death to reporters outside the prison.
"After Poussey is killed by a guard, the inmates started a riot for justice, fair treatment, and prisoners' rights. Taystee gives this heartbreaking speech to reporters after they show up because of Judy King. Danielle Brooks is so talented."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 5, Episode 5, or you can watch it here.
18. On Friday Night Lights, when Coach Taylor gave this speech to the Panthers during the state championship game.
"To this day, Coach Taylor remains one of the kings of iconic monologues. It's hard to choose the absolute best one, but one that sticks out in my mind is always when he gives the speech in the locker room during the Season 1 finale. The Panthers had been through so much and this was just a perfect moment."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 22, or you can watch it here.
19. On This Is Us, when Kevin returned to his high school's football field and gave play-by-play commentary on his life.
"Kevin's football field monologue, where he gives a play-by-play commentary of his screwed-up life and we get a front row seat to him hitting rock bottom. This scene showcases what a complex character Kevin is. It is easily one of the best scenes of the series and Justin Hartley's acting is on point."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 8, or you can watch it here.
20. On Killing Eve, when Villanelle was pretending to be Billie and attended an AA meeting.
"Villanelle as Billie in the AA meeting where she describes how she feels nothing and how bored she is. I know she’s acting as Billie to get close to Amber Peel, but it’s a real and vulnerable moment. I think it comes from a place of truth in Villanelle’s life, plus I think that everybody watching can relate to her in some way or another. This is the moment that won Jodie Comer her Emmy Award."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 6, or you can watch it here.
21. On Parenthood, when Zeek took Amber to see her wrecked car and told her she can't mess up his dream.
"When Amber gets in a car accident and Zeek takes her to the car and talks about how he dreamt of her and their family, it makes me cry every single time."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 22
22. On Scandal, when Eli met Olivia in the airplane hanger and talked about her relationship with Fitz and how she has to work twice as hard as everyone else.
"Papa Pope and Olivia in the airplane hangar is amazing, especially when he says, 'You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have.' Whew, can we just take a minute and just analyze how poignant it was back then and so much more now? This sentiment has been instilled for generations and I always go back to this scene when I want to hear a pep talk. Some would say it’s a dad talking to his daughter about sleeping with a married man, but it’s not that. For any POC, you constantly have to prove your worth, while mediocrity can advance due to privilege. I know every Black home was probably like, 'Oh, they let that fly on prime time?!?' It was nothing but the truth. Although Papa Pope has his quirks, he always spoke the truth."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 3, Episode 1, or you can watch it here.
23. On Sex Education, when Maeve explained that she's really smart, but she has made some wrong decisions.
"The monologue from Maeve on Sex Education is so good. Maybe it's because it hit super close to home for me, but this is a monologue that you can just feel and relate to so closely if high school was not such an easy time for you."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 8
24. On Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, when Lorelai called Emily and talked about her favorite memory with Richard.
"Here me out: Gilmore Girls is my absolute favorite show, however A Year in the Life was a mess. But Lorelai’s phone call to Emily during the 'Fall' episode is one of my favorite scenes. It’s such a bittersweet moment for both mother and daughter, and a great way to remember Richard. I cry absolutely every damn time."
Where you can find the monologue: "Fall," or you can watch it here.
25. On Glee, when Santana completely roasted Kurt after he suggested that she and Brittany were too young to get married.
26. On Misfits, when Nathan gave this impassioned speech about being young and how they should all make mistakes.
"Nathan's speech on the rooftop in Season 1 is so amazing. It's so good and I get chills every time I hear it."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 6, or you can watch it here.
27. On Sorry for Your Loss, when Leigh left this voicemail about her new eyeliner and how she's still grieving her husband's death.
"The Elizabeth Olsen monologue on Sorry for Your Loss, when she is leaving a voicemail is so amazing. I love it so much and I even use it for every audition I have. I know it’s a small show, but this monologue just hits every range of emotion."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 4
28. On Black Mirror, when Kelly opened up to Yorkie about loving her husband.
"When Kelly tells Yorkie about her husband and daughter, and why her husband made the choice that he did when he was dying. It's so well delivered and just so heartbreaking. You realize what different places they are coming from because Kelly has lived a long life while Yorkie is finally just getting to live hers. It's a wonderful episode that has made me cry multiple times, and this speech is beautiful."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 3, Episode 4
29. On Barry, when Sally said her upcoming piece for class was extremely personal.
"Sarah Goldberg's funny but also just so, so real. She's just spewing words on how she felt about everything going on around her in the show and it's so genuine, funny, and a little heartbreaking. It’s hard to describe, but I absolutely love her monologue."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 7, or you can watch it here.
30. On Teen Wolf, when Stiles talked about drowning and how it's kind of peaceful.
"Dylan O'Brien is so good and doesn't get nearly enough credit."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 2, Episode 11
31. On Julie and the Phantoms, when Julie talked to her mom before her big performance at the Orpheum.
"In the last episode of Julie and the Phantoms, minutes before her performance at the Orpheum, Julie runs out because she thinks that Luke, Reggie, and Alex are gone for good and she mourns them and tells her late mother that she hopes they’re up there with her. Then, a stranger gives her a dahlia, her mother’s favorite flower, for support. It’s raw and emotional, and this is Madison Reyes’ first professional acting gig and she knocks it out of the park."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 9
32. On The Good Place, when Chidi explained to Eleanor how Buddhists describe death right before he left the Good Place.
"Chidi explaining how Buddhists describe death, and that it's like a wave. It made me cry and as someone who often had panic attacks about dying (because it’s a scary concept), it calmed me and I think of it often when I have those panic moments."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 4, Episode 13, or you can watch it here.
33. And finally, on Mad Men, when Don pitched the Kodak Carousel at the end of Season 1.
"Mad Men is filled with incredible monologues, but the Kodak Carousel pitch at the end of Season 1 is one of my favorites. It hits you right in the nostalgic feels."
Where you can find the monologue: Season 1, Episode 13, or you can watch it here.
We can't fit everyone on one list, so do you have other TV monologues that are absolutely amazing? Tell us in the comments below!
Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.