Netflix’s New Star Is the Most-Popular Celebrity of the Week on IMDb
The entertainment landscape experiences major shifts each week as high-profile television debuts, cinematic releases, and profound industry milestones capture international attention. From long-anticipated literary adaptations on major streaming platforms to provocative psychological dramas in theaters, audiences consistently turn their attention toward dynamic ensembles and visionary filmmakers.
The past week highlighted a diverse spectrum of performers and creators whose newest projects and lifetime achievements sparked extensive conversation across the entertainment world. This retrospective highlights the most talked-about artists currently shaping cinema and television.
Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint was an acclaimed American actress whose prolific career spanned more than seven decades across film, television, and radio. She made her cinematic feature debut in Elia Kazan’s dramatic masterpiece ‘On the Waterfront’ (1954), delivering a performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress opposite Marlon Brando. She further cemented her place in cinematic history by starring as the enigmatic Eve Kendall in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suspense thriller ‘North by Northwest’ (1959). In her later career, Saint received a Primetime Emmy Award for the miniseries ‘People Like Us’ (1990) and portrayed Martha Kent in ‘Superman Returns’ (2006). Saint passed away at the age of 102 on October 6, 2026, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of the final legends from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Alejandro G. Iñárritu is an acclaimed Mexican filmmaker celebrated for his visually intricate and psychologically demanding cinematic stories. After gaining widespread international acclaim with the drama ‘Biutiful’ (2010), he achieved historic back-to-back Academy Award wins for Best Director with ‘Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)’ (2014) and ‘The Revenant’ (2015). His broader filmography explores human frailty through inventive multi-narrative structures and groundbreaking visual techniques. In October 2026, Iñárritu returned to movie theaters worldwide with ‘Digger’ (2026), a high-profile satirical drama starring Tom Cruise. The release, filmed in VistaVision, generated substantial public discourse among film enthusiasts and industry analysts.
Amber Midthunder
Amber Midthunder is an American actress who gained widespread international acclaim for her breakthrough performance in the sci-fi action film ‘Prey’ (2022). Prior to leading that entry in the ‘Predator’ franchise, she built a notable television presence with key roles in the FX series ‘Legion’ and the CW drama ‘Roswell, New Mexico’. She also expanded her global audience by portraying Princess Yue in the live-action fantasy adaptation ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. In October 2026, Midthunder returned to screens in the supernatural horror miniseries ‘Carrie’ (2026), playing gym teacher Miss Desjardin. Her varied projects continue to establish her reputation as a dynamic talent across genre storytelling, action, and dramatic television.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway is an Academy Award-winning actress recognized for her versatility across studio blockbusters, independent dramas, and musical theater. She earned widespread critical acclaim and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her emotional performance as Fantine in the musical adaptation ‘Les Misérables’ (2012). Her extensive filmography also features celebrated roles in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012) and ‘Interstellar’ (2014), alongside the romantic comedy ‘The Idea of You’ (2024). Hathaway expanded her creative work into dark domestic drama by producing and starring in the psychological thriller ‘Verity’ (2026), adapted from the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. The theatrical release placed her in a complex central role that sparked substantial audience engagement.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson rose to international stardom as Anastasia Steele in the commercially successful feature ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ (2015) and its two sequels. She subsequently balanced wide studio releases with acclaimed independent projects, including Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Suspiria’ (2018) and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s ‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021). Through her production company TeaTime Pictures, Johnson expanded into producing character-driven independent cinema such as ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ (2022) and ‘Am I OK?’ (2022). In October 2026, she returned to leading a major psychological thriller by portraying writer Lowen Ashleigh in ‘Verity’ (2026). Her performance at the heart of the intense mystery generated renewed attention for her diverse body of work.
Alison Thornton
Alison Thornton is a Canadian actress known for bringing complexity to television characters across drama, mystery, and genre programming. She first gained wider recognition as Zooey Frachetti in ‘Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce’ before securing a prominent role as Lydia Spring in ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’. Thornton also displayed her dramatic skills in projects such as the supernatural series ‘The Girl in the Woods’ and the indie feature ‘The Mental State’ (2022). In October 2026, Thornton stepped into a prominent antagonist role as affluent bully Chris Hargensen in the horror miniseries ‘Carrie’ (2026). Her layered interpretation of the classic character provided a deeper exploration of the motivations behind high school torment.
Mike Faist
Mike Faist is an American actor who initially achieved acclaim on Broadway before successfully transitioning to feature films and television. He received a BAFTA nomination for his standout portrayal of Riff in Steven Spielberg’s cinematic adaptation of ‘West Side Story’ (2021). Faist followed that success by starring alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in Luca Guadagnino’s tennis drama ‘Challengers’ (2024). In October 2026, he appeared as Charles Trask in the Netflix limited series ‘East of Eden’ (2026), adapted from the classic John Steinbeck novel. His performance in the generational narrative examines complex family tensions and rivalry with distinct emotional intensity.
Samantha Sloyan
Samantha Sloyan is an accomplished character actress widely recognized for her memorable roles in modern horror and television drama. She delivered a standout performance as the devout and rigid Beverly Keane in the limited series ‘Midnight Mass’ (2021), earning widespread critical praise. Sloyan previously appeared in popular television productions including ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, and ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’. In October 2026, she collaborated again with director Mike Flanagan to portray the fanatical mother Margaret White in ‘Carrie’ (2026). Her intense and chilling work as the abusive matriarch serves as an emotional focal point of the horror adaptation.
Mackenzie Davis
Mackenzie Davis is a Canadian actress celebrated for her striking presence in speculative fiction, period drama, and modern thrillers. She received wide acclaim for playing programmer Cameron Howe in the AMC series ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ and starred in the acclaimed ‘San Junipero’ episode of ‘Black Mirror’. Davis has also led high-profile film projects, playing the augmented warrior Grace in ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ (2019) and appearing in ‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017). In October 2026, she starred as marine biologist Dr. Fonda Howander in the Canadian supernatural miniseries ‘Below’ (2026). Her performance grounds the mystery as her character investigates an ancient aquatic threat disrupting a remote Newfoundland village.
Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan is an American filmmaker and showrunner known for crafting emotionally rich, character-driven horror stories. He achieved widespread critical praise for creating acclaimed television series such as ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, ‘Midnight Mass’ (2021), and ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’. Flanagan has demonstrated a particular affinity for adapting Stephen King’s literature, directing feature films that include ‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017), ‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019), and ‘The Life of Chuck’ (2024). In October 2026, his latest television project debuted on streaming with an eight-part series adaptation of ‘Carrie’ (2026). The miniseries updates the classic horror premise by incorporating modern social dynamics and psychological depth.
Ella Beatty
Ella Beatty is an American actress whose fast rise across stage, television, and film has positioned her among the most notable emerging talents. The Juilliard graduate made her screen debut as Kerry O’Shea in Ryan Murphy’s drama ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’ before appearing in Mary Bronstein’s independent feature ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ (2025). She also displayed her theatrical range on Broadway by stepping into a major role in the acclaimed play ‘Appropriate’. In autumn 2026, Beatty gained significant prominence by headlining Netflix’s true-crime drama ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ (2026). Her intense performance in the historical role earned notable attention for its psychological precision and dramatic commitment.
Christopher Abbott
Christopher Abbott is an American actor celebrated for his adventurous choices and total immersion in complex characters. He earned early notice in the series ‘Girls’ before starring in acclaimed features like Trey Edward Shults’s psychological thriller ‘It Comes at Night’ (2017) and Yorgos Lanthimos’s ‘Poor Things’ (2023). His diverse resume also includes leading the satirical wartime miniseries ‘Catch-22’ and taking on the title role in ‘Wolf Man’ (2025). In October 2026, Abbott portrayed Adam Trask in the Netflix limited series ‘East of Eden’ (2026). His portrayal brings depth to the iconic character, exploring personal tragedy and familial strain over a sweeping historical timeline.
Josh Hartnett
Josh Hartnett is an American actor whose multifaceted career includes early blockbuster stardom, acclaimed crime films, and a prominent recent resurgence. He gained significant fame through major projects such as ‘Pearl Harbor’ (2001), ‘Black Hawk Down’ (2001), and the stylized thriller ‘Lucky Number Slevin’ (2006). In recent years, Hartnett drew widespread critical praise for his role in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) and led M. Night Shyamalan’s suspense movie ‘Trap’ (2024). In October 2026, he appeared simultaneously in the theatrical thriller ‘Verity’ (2026) and as a rugged fisherman in Netflix’s mystery miniseries ‘Below’ (2026). These varied performances have placed him at the center of major streaming and box office conversations.
Summer H. Howell
Summer H. Howell is a Canadian actress and stunt performer who began working in the entertainment industry as a child, frequently appearing in genre productions. Horror audiences initially recognized her for playing Alice in the franchise features ‘Curse of Chucky’ (2013) and ‘Cult of Chucky’ (2017). Over the following years, she developed her dramatic range through independent cinema, taking roles in the survival thriller ‘Hunter Hunter’ (2020) and the musical drama ‘Clouds’ (2020). Howell achieved a major career milestone in October 2026 by starring as Carrie White in Mike Flanagan’s television miniseries ‘Carrie’ (2026). Her performance portrays the isolated teen’s emergence of telekinesis with notable empathy and unsettling emotional power.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh is an Academy Award-nominated British actress recognized as one of the most compelling performers working in modern cinema. She made her screen debut in the mystery drama ‘The Falling’ (2014) before delivering celebrated turns in ‘Lady Macbeth’ (2016), ‘Midsommar’ (2019), and ‘Little Women’ (2019). Along with portraying Yelena Belova across multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe entries, she earned acclaim for dramatic roles in ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) and ‘We Live in Time’ (2024). In October 2026, Pugh executive produced and starred as Cathy Ames in the Netflix prestige miniseries ‘East of Eden’ (2026). Her depiction of one of classic literature’s most formidable figures has garnered extensive praise across the entertainment landscape.
Share your thoughts on which of these standout stars delivered your favorite performance this week in the comments.
