Terry O'Quinn

John Locke's faith in Lost (2004) is compelling partly because Terry O'Quinn does not make conviction look comfortable. There is vulnerability in this determined man, and enough menace to prevent easy affection. We were moved by Locke's need to believe, because O'Quinn makes it feel difficult and personal rather than merely useful to a mystery plot. This is the work we rate him for: giving a character reasons to matter while the series keeps its answers back.

The lead in The Stepfather (1987), as a deranged family man, gave that capacity for menace an early outlet. Supporting film work included Howard Hughes in The Rocketeer (1991), before television became increasingly important. Continuing roles included Peter Watts in Chris Carter's Millennium (1996). His association with J.J. Abrams took him through Alias to Lost, where Locke became the defining role of his later career. That move gave his ability to sustain an enigmatic character considerably more room to work.

We rate Lost for making its strangers worth caring about, even when the storytelling wanders. O'Quinn's particular contribution is to make belief feel like something a person needs, with all the uncertainty that brings. Locke can be difficult to understand without losing the vulnerability that makes us want to understand him. The reservation is with the writing: its repeated postponement of answers can become wearing, and even this cast cannot make every delay rewarding. His performance gives us a reason to stay interested during the stretches when the plotting becomes less persuasive.

Later television work includes Patriot (2015–2018), while supporting and ensemble parts remain central to how we think of him. We would welcome another substantial lead, especially one that lets him be vulnerable without first requiring him to be mysterious. Start with Lost, with the warning that its actors sometimes give more generously than its writers.