Next up is Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
My Predictions for Who Should Win for Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
- Tatiana Maslany in BBC America's Orphan Black - "Certain Agony of the Battlefield": Overall, Season 3 of Orphan Black wasn't that great, but Maslany continued to shine with her expert delivery of so many different characters. Her episode was the best of the season and allowed her to do so many different things. She is simply overdo for this award.
- Elisabeth Moss in AMC's Mad Men - "Person to Person": Moss is also very deserving as one of the most transformative performances across the entire series of Mad Men. She has always been excellent and this year represents the last time she can win for such a phenomenal role.
- Taraji P. Henson in FOX's Empire - "Pilot": Henson's work as Cookie Lyon was one of the breakout performances of the year. She is already an iconic character. One that should win all the awards.
- Viola Davis in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder - "Freakin' Whack-a-Mole": Davis is giving a fantastic performance in a very erratic and mediocre series. She brings so much gravitas to the role that it pulls the viewer in. That skill is very mesmerizing to watch.
- Robin Wright in Netflix's House of Cards - "Chapter 32": Wright was always the part I liked most about this show when I was still watching. People out there say it was a good season for her. I'll listen - though I can't say if this is the year where she truly deserves to win or not.
- Claire Danes in Showtime's Homeland - "From A to B and Back Again": Danes continues to be great as Carrie Mathison on the espionage thriller. This was a better season for her. But there's also a feeling of "been there, done that." The rest of the nominees are probably more deserving.
My Predictions for Who Will Win for Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
- Viola Davis in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder - "Freakin' Whack-a-Mole": A win for her (or Henson) would be historic as the first African American to win in this category. Her performance is strong and very showy. It's a type of performance Emmy voters are drawn to and like to reward. That plus name recognition makes her a frontrunner in this race.
- Robin Wright in Netflix's House of Cards - "Chapter 32": She has already won the Golden Globe for this performance and most people say that the third season was her best one yet. Name recognition got her to the ballot for three years. Every year she has been competitive for the trophy. Support of the show keeps growing. So this could be her year for the win.
- Tatiana Maslany in BBC America's Orphan Black - "Certain Agony of the Battlefield": If voters go according to the performances in the episodes, Maslany will probably win. No one else in this category comes close to what she is doing. The new voting rules make things uncertain though and the voting may just became a popularity contest. That means awareness of her and the show will determine the win.
- Taraji P. Henson in FOX's Empire - "Pilot": She was phenomenal throughout the season but didn't really have a standout episode. She is great in the pilot. She is memorable from the very first moment she appears on screen. But she also doesn't appear as much as her competitors which could hurt her. Also worrisome is the fact that the voters didn't really embrace Empire elsewhere on the ballot.
- Elisabeth Moss in AMC's Mad Men - "Person to Person": She definitely gets the sentimental vote for never having won in this category for such a terrific role. But in a year with so much fresh (and louder) new talent, it may be hard for her to pull off a win.
- Claire Danes in Showtime's Homeland - "From A to B and Back Again": Again, she's not undeserving for her third trophy in this category. And yet, it's much easier to argue for everyone else for the win.
Do you agree or disagree with my reasonings? Who do you think should and will win in this category? Speculate below in the comments!
