Updated 2:30 p.m., March 27, 2015

While Sleepyheads waited with bated breath to see if Sleepy Hollow would get picked up for a third season , let’s reflect on just ten of the many reasons the series is lucky to have gifted beauty, Nicole Beharie as its lead actress. The writers dropped the ball in season two. By forgetting to focus on the chemistry set that is Abbie and Ichabod, ratings plunged and the former hit show drew scorn from relevant entertainment critics and loyal fans. With Beharie sidelined, her terrific and dreamy co-star Tom Mison was stranded in subpar episodes and everyone suffered.

1. Nicole Beharie has presence. Though tiny — short girls represent! — she doesn’t get lost in scenes with her towering co-star. We all understand that  the cameramen must sometimes pull back a mile to get Abbie and Ichabod in one frame. Besides, it’s adorable when they have a conversation and Abbie is talking to Ichabod’s chest.
2. Beharie is a classically trained alumnus of the prestigious Julliard. Sleepy Hollow is lucky to have a co-star with that pedigree.
3. Even in a competitive atmosphere like Julliard, her abilities were recognized before her career began in earnest. Beharie received a Shakespeare Scholarship and studied in London. It was the first time the Julliard drama division faculty made the selection by unanimous vote.
4. Shortly after graduating, Beharie made her feature film debut as the lead in the 2008 critically acclaimed drama American Violet. Beharie received accolades from the legendary Roger Ebert, who raved, “Nicole Beharie delivers a stunning performance.” Wall Street Journal reviewer Joe Morgenstern praised, “Nicole Beharie makes an eloquent debut. ” It’s a real shame to underuse that kind of talent.
5.  She’s appreciative of being offered a groundbreaking role, telling Crave: “I honestly never imagined I would actually get to do this. No, like seriously. I never imagined as a black, African-American 20-something, I would be able to do this. You just don’t see it. It’s just not a reality. When they called me in, I read it and I was like, ‘Okay, cool, this is great.’ I never saw myself as someone who would be able to tote a gun and be also in a fantasy piece, but I welcome it with open arms….” Let’s make that appreciation reciprocal.
6. The show is fortunate to have such a gracious actress. Beharie is soft-spoken and reserved in interviews, she has not made a ruckus — though it would be understandable if she did.
7. Beharie is multi-faceted. As well as her work on the silver screen and television, she appeared in New York theater and — as you know — can sing, too.  Beharie performed five original songs on the “My Last Day Without You” soundtrack. Seriously, watch your back Sleepy Hollow, if Cookie Lyon hears Abbie sing, you’re so screwed.
8. Beharie relates to her fans by embracing her inner geek. In a PBS interview, Beharie said,” I’ve always been an avid reader and a little bit of a sci-fi junkie, genre film junkie. Who doesn’t like Star Wars and all that kind of stuff? ”
   

   Mison and Beharie are a dynamic duo

9. Any viewer with a brain knows Abbie Mills is nobody’s sidekick. Vulture‘s Rose Maura Lorre knows what she’s talking about. The New York Times is glaringly misinformed. After this asinine piece of writing by Alessandra Stanley, a correction was issued. And then there is this business.  I guess they put Jincan juice in the coffee over there.
10. You don’t mess with a shippable pair.Tom Mison stirs the pot when he waxes about the characters’ sexy relationship  (Could he be more of a shipper?)

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Elaine G. Flores, Chief Editor

Elaine is the chief editor of TV Recappers' Delight. She's an experienced entertainment reporter, reviewer, editor, blogger, columnist and Bon Vivant.