The nominees are: Scandal's Kate Burton; The Newsroom's Jane Fonda; Masters of Sex's Allison Janney; House of Cards' Kate Mara; The Americans' Margo Martindale; and Game of Thrones' Diana Rigg.
1. ALLISON JANNEY - MASTERS OF SEX (SHOWTIME)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "BRAVE NEW WORLD"
Very few races have locks. Janney is one of them. She is just breathtaking on Masters of Sex. No one else in this category is giving a performance quite like her. She could have chosen any numbers of episodes from the first season and she still probably could have won this award. Then, she just went and submitted one of her strongest tapes in which her journey really does begin. Her character is on such a tragic trajectory but she carries herself so well despite being devastated on the inside. A phenomenal performance that will likely win.
2. KATE BURTON - SCANDAL (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "A DOOR MARKED EXIT"
Because I'm so certain Janney will win here, the ranking of the other talented ladies seems a bit extraneous. However, I'm still gonna do it because it's what I committed to. After appearing on every season of the political drama, Burton's Vice President Sally Langston truly came into her own in the third season where she was given monologues that could go up against the best of them. She showed new depths in the role and really does deserve this nomination.
3. DIANA RIGG - GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE LION AND THE ROSE"
Rigg is such an iconic actress that you just have to respect her. Her episode is the one where that thing happened to King Joffrey which I've been told is a quite impressive episode for several people because it focuses on that one place heavily.
4. JANE FONDA - THE NEWSROOM (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "RED TEAM III"
Fonda speaking Aaron Sorkin dialogue is quite impressive. And yet, I don't recall her doing anything memorable or big during the second season. But hey, she's Jane Fonda!
5. MARGO MARTINDALE - THE AMERICANS (FX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "BEHIND THE RED DOOR"
I'm still very disappointed that Martindale is the only presence for The Americans at the Emmys after a stellar second season. It also was a less active season for Martindale because of her commitments on The Millers. Still she's great on the show but probably only got nominated because voters recognized her name on the ballot as someone they really like and a former winner despite it seeming like very few voters actually watch The Americans.
6. KATE MARA - HOUSE OF CARDS (NETFLIX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHAPTER 14"
Out of all of this year's nominations, this one irks me the most because she was nominated solely because of that thing that happens to her character during the second season premiere. It's a decent moment for writing, directing and shock value. But for acting? No way!
1. ALLISON JANNEY - MASTERS OF SEX (SHOWTIME)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "BRAVE NEW WORLD"
Very few races have locks. Janney is one of them. She is just breathtaking on Masters of Sex. No one else in this category is giving a performance quite like her. She could have chosen any numbers of episodes from the first season and she still probably could have won this award. Then, she just went and submitted one of her strongest tapes in which her journey really does begin. Her character is on such a tragic trajectory but she carries herself so well despite being devastated on the inside. A phenomenal performance that will likely win.
2. KATE BURTON - SCANDAL (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "A DOOR MARKED EXIT"
Because I'm so certain Janney will win here, the ranking of the other talented ladies seems a bit extraneous. However, I'm still gonna do it because it's what I committed to. After appearing on every season of the political drama, Burton's Vice President Sally Langston truly came into her own in the third season where she was given monologues that could go up against the best of them. She showed new depths in the role and really does deserve this nomination.
3. DIANA RIGG - GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE LION AND THE ROSE"
Rigg is such an iconic actress that you just have to respect her. Her episode is the one where that thing happened to King Joffrey which I've been told is a quite impressive episode for several people because it focuses on that one place heavily.
4. JANE FONDA - THE NEWSROOM (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "RED TEAM III"
Fonda speaking Aaron Sorkin dialogue is quite impressive. And yet, I don't recall her doing anything memorable or big during the second season. But hey, she's Jane Fonda!
5. MARGO MARTINDALE - THE AMERICANS (FX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "BEHIND THE RED DOOR"
I'm still very disappointed that Martindale is the only presence for The Americans at the Emmys after a stellar second season. It also was a less active season for Martindale because of her commitments on The Millers. Still she's great on the show but probably only got nominated because voters recognized her name on the ballot as someone they really like and a former winner despite it seeming like very few voters actually watch The Americans.
6. KATE MARA - HOUSE OF CARDS (NETFLIX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHAPTER 14"
Out of all of this year's nominations, this one irks me the most because she was nominated solely because of that thing that happens to her character during the second season premiere. It's a decent moment for writing, directing and shock value. But for acting? No way!
