As recommended by: Fisherpricetuxedo, cornerswell
Scottish actor Alan Cumming was best known for his theatre work, but has in recent years been stealing scenes as Eli Gold, the blunt campaign manager to Chris Noth's Peter Florrick on The Good Wife which has earned him consecutive Emmy nominations in 2010 and 2011. He has also been making regular appearances on Lisa Kudrow's well received comedy Web Therapy Photograph: Everett/Rex Features
As recommended by: caffeinejunkie, Writersbloc, DanGerus, SliceOfLemon
Another Good Wife alumnus on the list. London-born, Panjabi came to prominence for her parts in the films East is East and Bend It Like Beckham, but is probably best known for her part in The Good Wife as Kalinda Sharma, a bisexual investigator. Her work has seen her gain three Emmy nominations with one win and she is considered a 'fan-favourite' character on the show Photograph: Jeffrey Neira/CBS
As recommended by: Robert Pickering, Clariana, ID878386, SuccessCase
Roth, a mainstay of large and small screens for 30 years now was considered a major omission from the list. SuccessCase declared his work in Fox Crime series Lie To Me to be that of 'a great actor in a mediocre (though compelling) TV series'. He is set to return to American screens in Discovery channel's first scripted miniseries, Klondike, a drama set in the Yukon gold rush Photograph: Everett/Rex Features
As recommended by boynamedstu, wisapbars, Charles Burke
Memorable for his work in This Is England and the accompanying series that followed, he is now becoming known to American audiences as a young Al Capone on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Boynamedstu acknowledges that as the list points out, Kelly McDonald's performance is 'excellent', Graham's work as a 'relatively minor character' on the show is 'first-class' and stands out amongst what is one of television's most impressive ensembles Photograph: PR
As recommended by: ProfJazz, Auntierotter, jeffinrio
Best known for being the first Black British actress to be nominated for an Academy award for her stunning work in Mike Leigh's Secrets & Lies, she has since become known for her presence in all but one episode of the long-running CBS crime procedural Without A Trace. Jeffinrio was 'unsurprised but certainly saddened' by her omission from the list. Read our interview with Marianne Jean-Baptiste here Photograph: Rex Features
As recommended by: scot36, waylander101, bluegeneralist, auntierotter
An actor barely in need of introduction. Between work on British and US television, cinema and theatre including multiple productions at the RSC, Stewart is one of Britain's best regarded actors. The fact that he was able to convince as a French captain of the Starship Enterprise whilst still using his firmly English accent makes his performance all the more impressive. He can also be heard as the voice of the CIA chief on Seth Macfarlane's long-running animation, American Dad Photograph: Alamy
As recommended by: MyAvatarIsNotACat, Shellsanne, MightyMightyMan
Fast gaining fans for his work as Will Graham on Brian Fuller's television adaptation of Hannibal, Dancy has been a regular presence on televison and in film for nearly two decades now. Shellsanne thinks his performance 'dazzles every week in Hannibal. He is by far one of American TV's finest actors.' He is also married to Homeland's Claire Danes and the couple have a child together Photograph: NBC
As recommended by: Igstar, Timvincible, dyfed
Originally the target of controversy for his involvement with CBS's Sherlock Holmes series Elementary after his appearance in Danny Boyle's Frankenstein with fellow Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch. Miller has gone on to win over many fans for his work in the modern spin on the classic detective including igstar who believes he firmly 'deserves some love' for his performance on the hit show Photograph: PR
As recommended by: whitelodge, seatinthegods
'Eve Best on Nurse Jackie is awesome and a grievous absence from this list' declares whitelodge. Otherwise known for her small but memorable role as Wallis Simpson in Oscar-sweep The King's Speech, Best has been a constant presence on television and on West End and Broadway stages for years now. She also guest-starred in short-lived US sitcom Up All Night with Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph Photograph: Everett/Rex Features
As recommended by: Pamela Spokes, MyAvatarIsNotACat, missnow
Missnow felt Scottish actor McKidd was definitely 'missing' from the list. McKidd first came to the public's attention as Tommy Mackenzie in 1996 smash-hit film Trainspotting. He has since then built up quite a reputation on American television, between HBO's historical drama Rome, his part in short-lived but well received science fiction series Journeyman and most recently for his performance as Owen Hunt on medical drama Grey's Anatomy Photograph: Everett/Rex Features
