Slide #6

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees (Actors)

  • Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey," PBS
  • Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire," HBO
  • Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad," AMC
  • Michael C. Hall, "Dexter," Showtime
  • Jon Hamm, "Mad Men," AMC
  • Damian Lewis, "Homeland," Showtime

Will Win: Bryan Cranston hasn't lost in this category since "Breaking Bad" premiered, and as the show ratches up the crazy in anticipation for next year's series finale, it's hard to imagine that anyone will be able to unseat him this year. Jon Hamm, winless in four previous nominations, can take solace in the fact that "Mad Men" will win lots of other Emmys (also, he can take solace in the fact that he's Jon Hamm).

Should Win: Damian Lewis is overshadowed by his co-star (more on her later), but "Homeland" wouldn't work if he wasn't as terrifyingly good as he is.

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees (Actresses)

  • Kathy Bates, "Harry's Law," NBC
  • Glenn Close, "Damages," FX
  • Claire Danes, "Homeland," Showtime
  • Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey," PBS
  • Julianna Marguiles, "The Good Wife," CBS
  • Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men," AMC

Will Win: Two years after winning for her performance as the title character in the HBO movie "Temple Grandin," Claire Danes has been on the receiving end of awards buzz since the pilot episode of "Homeland" aired last October. Danes brings the right amount of intense instability to the role of loose cannon CIA agent Carrie Mathison and it looks like it will pay off.

Should Win: Elizabeth Moss submitted my favorite "Mad Men" of the season ("The Other Woman"), and her work on the show has continued to improve. She deserves to win, but I'm sure she'd prefer if Excedrin would stop showing that awesome commercial.

Bryan Cranston [via], Claire Danes [via]
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