Heroic actor of the week (11/18): Curran Walters
In this week’s installment of Heroic Actor Of The Week, we look at how Curran Walters did a lot with very little screen-time in the penultimate episode of Titans Season 2.
The end of the year is nearly upon us and, with that, every single superhero show is building towards something huge. The CW’s Arrowverse shows are laying the last bits of groundwork for the long-awaited Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover while DC Universe’s Titans is preparing for its second season finale.
However, it was the latter of the two properties that managed to produce the single best performance on superhero television this week.
Yes, on a week that saw some strong competition as The Flash‘s Grant Gustin turned in an emotional offering while Arrow’s Katie Cassidy compelled us with Laurel Lance’s internal conflict, it was a Titan who managed to stand out and, in the process, make history by becoming our first ever two-time Heroic Actor Of The Week.
Curran Walters – Titans
The past few episodes of Titans have shown us a different side to Jason Todd, as the tearaway youngster found himself falling for Rose Wilson – so much so that he even made her lunch (true story!). However, while that made for surprisingly romantic offering from the pair’s narrative last week, this week’s installment (Season 2, episode 12: “Faux Hawk“) told a very different story.
The pair only appeared on-screen once, as Rose came clean to Jason about her history with her father Slade (a.k.a. Deathstroke), and it made for quite an emotionally harrowing scene as the second Robin broke down before letting his anger take over. The characterization of Jason certainly ensured that this was a totally believable reaction, but it was Curran Walters’ performance here that stole the show.
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For the second time in a matter of days (weeks? Months? Who knows how fast time moves on this show with all the time-jumps), Jason felt betrayed by someone close to him – but this time it was much more personal. He had taken down his barriers and let Rose in and that made this betrayal all the more raw – something that Walters captured to perfection.
From the way in which he slowly built towards an eruption to that powerful (and raw) outburst, the young actor absolutely wrenched every last drop of emotion out of his performance, making us genuinely feel for Jason – and, as we’ve already discussed before, that isn’t an easy thing to do for a character so naturally rebellious. But Walters made it easy and, more importantly, he made it authentic.
The fact that he was able to produce that in a single scene is, without a doubt, a testament to his acting prowess and a sign that we need to see more of him going forward. We’ve seen less of Jason in recent weeks but, thanks to Walters’ outstanding performances this season, he’s never been far from our minds.
Congratulations to Curran on becoming our first ever two-time Heroic Actor of the Week (he previously won for his performance in Season 2, episode 7: “Bruce Wayne”)!
Next. 25 most heartbreaking Arrowverse deaths of all-time. dark
Titans‘ season 2 finale streams on the DC Universe next Friday. Come back next Sunday to find out who our next Heroic Actor of the Week will be.