With nominations announced by a pajama-clad Emmy host-to-be Jimmy Kimmel, this is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and fascinating competitions in years, especially when it comes to the big acting categories.
The Emmy Awards are known for serial recognition of actors at the height of their game, nominating them year in and year out. Whether those people end up taking home the statuette, they are taking up valuable room on the ballot, meaning that it is very difficult for other faces to get a seat at the table.
This year, there is a large dollop of new blood up against old established favorites. While this does not necessarily signify a changing of the guard, it definitely adds excitement to the competition.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Bryan Cranston as Walter White
Dexter • Showtime • Showtime Presents, John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Devilina Productions
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Jon Hamm as Don Draper
He is Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham of “Downton Abbey.” Hugh Bonneville may be the only titled gentleman of the bunch and he and “Homeland’s” Damian Lewis are the newbies up against the reigning multi-crowned champ, Bryan Cranston. Yet many feel this was Jon Hamm’s best year as Don Draper on “Mad Men,” and Michael C. Hall and Steve Buscemi can never be completely counted out. Could a new face upset what many feel is a Walt vs. Don competition?
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Damages • DirecTV • Sony Pictures Television, FX Productions and KZK
Productions
Glenn Close as Patty Hewes
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick
Harry’s Law • NBC • Bonanza Productions in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television
Kathy Bates as Harriet Korn
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson
Claire Danes. Claire Danes. Claire Danes. Aside from being the front-runner for her portrayal of the brilliant but manic CIA operative in Showtime’s “Homeland,” she’s part of the trend in this category–three of the six nominees are big screen actresses taking their talents to TV, although in the case of Close, she’s been plying her trade on “Damages” to much acclaim and this is the last season. Elisabeth Moss still seems like a supporting character and Michelle Dockery is to be applauded for breaking in from the Abbey.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Larry David as Himself
House Of Lies • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Crescendo Productions, Totally Commercial Films, Refugee Productions, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc. in association with FX Productions
Louis C.K. as Louie
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper
Don Cheadle, funny? ATAS voters think so but the big screen star has a tough road to hoe against critics’ darling Louis C.K. and recent favorite Jim Parsons. And no one could ever dismiss the sentiment for the hugely popular and mutiple past Emmy winners Baldwin and David.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath
Mike & Molly • CBS • Bonanza Productions, Inc. in association with Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. and Warner Bros. Television
Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn
New Girl • FOX • Chernin Entertainment in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Lionsgate Television, Jackson Group Entertainment, Madison Grain Elevator, Inc. & Delong Lumber, A Caryn Mandabach Production
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer
Wait, there are seven nominees here? That makes room for the “new girls,” Dunham and Deschanel. McCarthy still seems to be riding “Bridesmaids” coattails and JLD is always a heavyweight contender. With Fey’s show ending, and her shelf full of awards, she probably won’t take another statuette for this one.
