CW; WBIt ain't easy being pretty.
Anyone on the CW will tell you that. Come each and every awards season, they are almost always overlooked...until now.
On Thursday morning, the network received quite the pleasant surprise when its new breakout drama Jane the Virgin and its ridiculously charming star Gina Rodriguez were both nominated for Golden Globes. Hell yes, Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Hell. Yes.
But can you believe this is the first time an actor on the CW has been nominated in a major acting category at the Golden Globes? And the first time one of its series has been recognized, too?! Insanity, we know, especially when you consider the amazing talent that has appeared on the network.
That's why we're shining a light on 18 of the CW's most underrated and overlooked stars, from shows past and present:
Jensen Ackles, Supernatural: Fact: Ackles is one of the best leading men on TV and has been since Supernatural debuted 10 seasons ago. He's so good that we actually have enacted Ackles' Law in our houses: when he cries, you cry.
Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries: There is no better crier on TV than Dobrev, who has done some major emotional heavy-lifting as not one, but two characters (Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce), while also tackling two other doppelgangers as well.
Stephen Amell, Arrow: We're pretty sure Amell is the hardest working actor on TV right now, delivering 22 mini-movies (that require rich emotional and physical performances) per season that are honestly worthy of being on the big screen. (Side-eyeing you so hard, DC Comics!)
Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars: If we have to explain this one, you are a piece of garbage human being.
Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries: Sure, sometimes Somerhalder lets the eyebrows take the wheel, but when he's on, he's. So. On. Especially when he lets Damon's lingering humanity shine through.
Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl: Before GG descended into ridiculousness, it was seriously good and the show that launched the CW. And Meester was its bleeding and bitchy heart. (We miss Blair Waldorf. A lot.)
Joseph Morgan, The Originals: Come on, the man took a three-episode arc as a villain on The Vampire Diaries and turned it into a hit spinoff. He's delicious, delightful and devious.
Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls: No one else could make Lorelai Gilmore's often long, pop culture reference-filled, tongue twisting dialogue seem as effortless and easy as Graham, who turned the character into one of TV's greatest of all-time. She was kind of a mess and we loved her because it, not in spite of it.
Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl: Say what you will about the show towards the end of its run, but in seasons one and two, it was a pop culture phenomenon, and Chuck Bass was straight-up iconic, thanks mostly to Westwick's portrayal. He was Chuck Bass.
Candice Accola, The Vampire Diaries: Here's the thing: Dobrev may technically be the female lead of the show, but Caroline Forbes has become its breakout character. Accola can make you laugh and cry in a single scene, giving a two-word line, like "Hi, mom," more impact than a page-long monologue.
Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries: Early on in the series, Somerhalder got a lot of the attention as Damon is the showier role. But that all changed when Ripper Stefan was revealed, and Wesley completely tore into the role. And throughout its six-year run, Stefan has been its most complex character, with Wesley acing every emotion.
Sophia Bush, One Tree Hill: Who knew Brooke Davis, the promiscuous cheerleader would become one of TV's best leading ladies, who was more than enough? Such is the power of Bush.
Adelaide Kane, Reign: Long may she reign as Mary, Queen of Scots! Kane is downright regal on the royal drama, gracefully handling the series' recent controversial rape storyline. We. Bow. Down.
Allison Mack, Smallville: Le sigh, wasn't Chloe just the best? And wasn't Mack just the best?!
Wilson Bethel, Hart of Dixie: Let the record state that we predict Bethel is going to be a massive, massive star. We were so lucky to get to spend as much time in Bluebell with his hilarious and heartbreaking character Wade.
Maggie Q, Nikita: Man, was Q straight-up badass in this role, handling the action sequences and emotional scenes like a boss.
Eliza Taylor, The 100: Picking up the badass baton from Maggie Q? Taylor, who is KILLIN' it on the best show you're not watching right now. (It's the new BSG, people!)
Jared Padalecki, Supernatural: It takes a pretty talented actor to make us constantly want to protect and hug a character that is literally the size of a moose. Plus, Padalecki has constantly surprised us with how well he's handled all 50 shades of Sam in the past decade.
Now, we want to hear from you. Which CW stars do you think deserve some awards season love?! Head on down to the comments and let us know who we missed and to let the HFPA know which current CW star should definitely be included on the ballot come 2016!