The Underrated of 2006

Seth Gilliam
"The Wire," HBO

You know him as: Streetwise Baltimore police Sgt. Ellis Carver

Why we like him: We could have picked just about anyone from "The Wire," which is the best show on television and probably the least-recognized in terms of awards for its cast and crew. Gilliam gets our nod because of the growth Carver has shown over the show's four seasons, going from a stats-minded street-level cop to a thoughtful, compassionate sergeant who still tries to do good within a broken system. He's good police.

Where else you've seen him: He had recurring parts on both "Oz" and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury."