Image Credit: Prashant Gupta/FX; Justin Stephens/NBC; Mike Muller/FX; Mitchell Haaseth/NBC; Chris Haston/NBCEmmy voters: Welcome to the penultimate installment of my 2010 Dream Emmy Ballot, this one focused on the highly competitive lead actor and actress in a drama series categories. (My picks for outstanding comedy and drama series will be posted tomorrow.) Please consult this list of recommendations when the balloting process begins next week. Otherwise I’m going to be very grumpy when the real nominations come out on July 8.
Best Lead Actor (Drama)
* Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights): His coach turned the misfits of East Dillon into champions. Surely that warrants an Emmy.
* Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad): I smell a three-peat.
* Michael C. Hall (Dexter): He killed as Dex tried (and failed) to have it all.
* Peter Krause (Parenthood): His character is flawed. His performance? Not so much.
* Hugh Laurie (House): Delivered the best work of his career in this season’s opener and closer.
* Timothy Olyphant (Justified): So strong, it’s dang near criminal.
Best Lead Actress (Drama)
* Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) Carried the ball, never fumbling, even with a tricky abortion plot.
* Glenn Close (Damages): Showed us a devil of a time as Patty stared down her demons.
* Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad): The breakout performance of the year.
* Regina King (Southland) Simply put, the tube’s most complex female cop since… Yeah, I’m stumped too.
* Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife): Good? Try great.
* Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy): Season 2 sent Gemma to hell and back. Heavenly!
Agree/disagree with my picks? Consider the comments section below your own personal Dream Emmy Ballot.
Coming up tomorrow: Best drama and comedy
My Dream Emmy Nominations part 1: Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Comedy)
My Dream Emmy Nominations part 2: Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Drama)
My Dream Emmy Nominations part 3: Best Lead Actor and Actress (Comedy)
If Hugh Laurie doesn’t get nominated I will be royally pissed off!
If he *does*, *I’ll* be pissed off. I hate that Emmys are handed on on the basis on one episode, regardless of the quality of the rest of the season. There are several actors not up there who had just as much pathos and also managed to carry it all the way through. (Jon Hamm, for one)
This is an ACTING category. Whether or not the “quality” of this season’s episodes remained constant, Hugh was always pretty darn brilliant.
They send in one episode for Emmy consideration. It’s unreasonable to expect that every Emmy voter watch the entire season of every show that wants to get a nomination!
ummm …. Lost anyone?
Matthew Fox was great in the Lost finale. I didn’t realize he is that good as an actor.
Matthew Fox – here, here!! Another great actor who never seems to get the recognition he deserves. He’s been great from day one, but his performance in the finale was breathtaking. Six years of confusion, anger, pain, love, and finally joy were there on his face in a matter of minutes at the end, and I went to each of those places with him willingly. If he doesn’t get an emmy nod this year, there is no justice.
MATTHEW freakin FOX! Hello? Is this thing on? I hate the way that Lost is (was, sob) such a true ensemble drama seems to hamper the leads come Emmy time. Both Matt Fox and Terry O Quinn deserve nods for leads, but especially Fox this year.
Hugh Laurie got screwed over when he didn’t win an Emmy back in seasons 1-4 of House – his material and therefore acting was so much better back then. Fresh, sharp, dynamic. I still love him, but the show’s not even in the same as it once was, so I don’t think he can ever win now. I think he should have won back in season 2 – House’s best season, IMO.
Jensen Ackles definitely deserves a nomination on that basis. His character of Dean Winchester on Supernatural was put through the wringer this season and he never disappointed. His acting was brilliant and I felt everything he portrayed. He and this show has been overlooked for far too long.
you obviously have issues if you would be pissed that an actor from a tv show you watch doesn’t get nominated for an emmy of all things.
Screw that! I’m a big House fan, but nobody topped Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds) this year, that includes Hugh Laurie. Truth.
What?? Tomas Gibson had one great episode the rest of the season he looks POed all the time, that is the extend of the emotion he shows. I love Criminal Minds, but Hugh Laurie as House is excellent cause no other actor could play him the way Hugh does.
Agreed. Thomas Gibson had several great episodes this season. But the 100th episode was simply put amazing!!!
Umm, forgetting Matthew Fox much? WTF?
Yes – Matthew Fox was phenomenal in the Lost Finale.
^THIS^
Matthew Fox AND Terry O’Quinn should be nominated for Best Actor. And they should change the rules so they can both win.
I agree Matthew Fox deserves a nod, when an actor can draw you in and make you feel what they are feeling, you can’t go wrong!!!
if katey segal doesn’t win its a CRIME!
She deserves the win. Her storyline was both heartbreaking and eye opening. Loved her since she was Peggy.
How in the world can you leave out Jon Hamm? That’s pure craziness!
Sandra Oh? Come on.
True. Ellem Pompeo should be in it too
Ellen Pompeo is fantastic as are Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson, neither of whom were mentioned in the supporting list.
Sandra is not a Lead Actress
but Ellen Pompeo should be nominated
No she shouldn’t – Ellen Pompeo was barely on the show this year, and certainly didn’t have any moment of stand-out acting
Jen,
Did you see the final eposide this season???
Pompeo should defenitely be nominated. She may have not had much screentime this season, but her work in the finale was just stellar.
Sandra Oh? Come on.
True. Ellem Pompeo should be in it too
Really? I watch Ellen Pompeo, and a lot of the time I have to stifle my laughter, especially when she’s doing high drama. I have to respectfully (and extremely) disagree with you on this one. I can’t really see anyone nominated this year, except maybe Justin Chambers, and that’s only because I like Alex so much.
Ellen Pompeo is fantastic as are Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson, neither of whom were mentioned in the supporting list.
Sandra is not a Lead Actress
but Ellen Pompeo should be nominated
No she shouldn’t – Ellen Pompeo was barely on the show this year, and certainly didn’t have any moment of stand-out acting
Jen,
Did you see the final eposide this season???
I saw the final episode this season, Angie, and I have to say, I thought Ellen Pompeo was pretty bad, frankly, and I can think of a long list of actresses that would have acted her under the table if given the same material.
Pompeo should defenitely be nominated. She may have not had much screentime this season, but her work in the finale was just stellar.
Sandra submits in the supporting actress category.
usually, but this year she really should submit for the lead category. Not saying she should get the nom, necessarily, I just think her role was too beefy this year to not get a lead billing. Just because the show isn’t named after her character doesn’t mean she wasn’t the focal female character of the season.
Sandra would be supporting. And she and Chandra better be nominated.
Also, Ellen Pompeo doesn’t deserve to be nominated.. she had lots of screentime, i dont know what that poster was saying. She’s just not a very good actress, the supporting cast mainly outdoes her – and she gets lots of ‘shining moments’ that get overshadowed even by the lesser moments of others.
Agreed. Ellen is the weakest actress on Greys. Practically everyone outshines her.
Oh, I forgot about Chandra. I really like her, and I have to say, her scene in the finale, when she was hiding under the bed, and then everything after, was GREAT. She knocked my socks off.
Well, the show she carried for 6 year is one of the most watched show in the US, if she wasn’t a good actress, do you think Grey would be so successful ?
Ellen Pompeo was fabulous this season, and has been fabulous since the beginning of Grey’s. She’s exceptionally talented – everything she does is in character, and she plays Meredith in a very understated, nuanced way that I find incredibly compelling. I hope she is nominated – she deserves it!
@ellen: do you really think she has carried the show? that an ensemble cast of that size was not what really carried the show? again, I have to mention the fact that just because the show is named after her character does not mean that she is the best thing on the show, or even that good. I can understand why they cast her, and I can even admit that she does a pretty decent job, at times, but there are several of her castmembers that are much more talented than she is. Also, as I said above, there are tons of other working film and television actresses who would do a much better job playing Meredith than she does.
Oh and Pompeo were awful this season. And I saw the finale – didn’t think it was great acting by any stretch.
@ mary q contrary
I think Ellen P do a very good job for Meredith, I can’t imagine anyone wo would be better than her, sorry
This is Hugh Laurie’s year.
I think it should be Kyle Chandler’s year … the dark horse.
WHile I love Hugh Laurie and Bryan Cranston, it is definitely Michael C. Hall’s year and it should be. He mesmerizes me.
This is Hugh Laurie’s year.
Isn’t every year Hugh Laurie’s year?
False. It’s Michael C. Hall’s year.
HUGH LAURIE SHOULD WIN THIS
Gee whiz, Hugh Laurie should have 3 or 4 Emmys already!! I bet it will either be Cranston (I wouldn’t be upset, BB is superb) or Hall (I must plead ignorance, as I still have been unable to fit Dexter into my overcrowded TV schedule)
Absolutely! But where is his Emmy at least?
I think it should be Kyle Chandler’s year … the dark horse.
WHile I love Hugh Laurie and Bryan Cranston, it is definitely Michael C. Hall’s year and it should be. He mesmerizes me.
you have 2 different actress categories.
you have 2 different actress categories.
I think this was Jon Hamm’s strongest season yet on “Mad Men.” Cranston is brilliant, but I think Hamm’s work in “The Gypsy and the Hobo” alone is Emmy-worthy.
I think this was Jon Hamm’s strongest season yet on “Mad Men.” Cranston is brilliant, but I think Hamm’s work in “The Gypsy and the Hobo” alone is Emmy-worthy.
I’m shocked that your list doesn’t include Lauren Graham!
Lauren Graham makes me cry every single episode – in a good way
Me Too!!!! I want Lauren Graham’s Emmy drought to come to an end! She’s amazing as Sarah Braverman and if Peter is up there, she’s most definitely equal to his performance level in the show! They excel together. x
Agreed, the girl that plays her daughter is on the supporting actress list as well, but no Lauren Graham, WTF?
Love Lauren Graham as I may, I wouldn’t be devastated if she weren’t nominated. Sarah Braverman is my home-girl and everything, but for me Mae Whitman is the only major standout of an incredible cast. Dax Shepard is actually my other fave, but I’m not holding out for any Emmys. And I mean does Graham have to cry in literally every episode? After a while it’s like, come on, maybe if you calmed down it wouldn’t be that hard to put your life together. You’re a grown up now.
I’m shocked that your list doesn’t include Lauren Graham!
Lauren Graham it’s on my dream list, she is absolutely fantastic as Sarah Braverman, i honestly didn’t think she could top Lorelai Gilmore but she did just that.
Lauren Graham is*
Lauren Graham makes me cry every single episode – in a good way
She’s superb.
Me Too!!!! I want Lauren Graham’s Emmy drought to come to an end! She’s amazing as Sarah Braverman and if Peter is up there, she’s most definitely equal to his performance level in the show! They excel together. x
Agreed, the girl that plays her daughter is on the supporting actress list as well, but no Lauren Graham, WTF?
Love Lauren Graham as I may, I wouldn’t be devastated if she weren’t nominated. Sarah Braverman is my home-girl and everything, but for me Mae Whitman is the only major standout of an incredible cast. Dax Shepard is actually my other fave, but I’m not holding out for any Emmys. And I mean does Graham have to cry in literally every episode? After a while it’s like, come on, maybe if you calmed down it wouldn’t be that hard to put your life together. You’re a grown up now.
Terry O’Quinn deserves AT LEAST a nomination. He played two totally opposite characters in the final season of Lost and was able to pull them off with complete ease.
ausiello put him in the supporting category.
Terry O’Quinn deserves AT LEAST a nomination. He played two totally opposite characters in the final season of Lost and was able to pull them off with complete ease.
ausiello put him in the supporting category.
What? No Matthew Fox? That is just wrong. Other season I thought his acting was just ok, but he was amazing this season!
Agreed. I was never a Jack fan, but this season he did terrific. The last episode alone is deserving of an Emmy. Fox did an amazing job!
no arguments here. I doubt he’ll get nominated but I’d totally support it!
he needs an emmy nod for so many quality jears this year!!!
Definitely Matthew Fox. Never cared much for Jack Shepherd until this season and his acting was superb!!!!
i agree!
He definitely deserves a nomination!
So does Michael Emerson – would he count as “supporting”?
And what about some of the women in “Lost.” Kate or Sun?
If no one from LOST is nominated, there is something seriously wrong with the world.
The Lost cast was so superb–in lead category either Terry O’Quinn, who needs to get nominated for SOMETHING or else all is wrong with the world, or Matthew Fox, who really kicked it up a notch–or several–where the depth of his work is concerned.
haha, I pled his case up there, not realizing everyone was already doing so down here. Matthew Fox FTW!!!!!
Couldn’t agree more! Matthew Fox was amazing! He carried that series finale brilliantly!
I agree – I really disliked Jack for 5+ seasons, but he did an amazing job in the finale. I personally think that Terry O’Quinn should be in the lead category this year, not supporting. Michael Emerson is always great, but his role was supporting – O’Quinn carried the season. Fox and/or O’Quinn should be nominated as Lead Actor this year.
Matthew Fox all the way! He is so underrated for the way he carried that amazing show for six years – by the end of season 6, I had never been more convinced by an actor ever. If he doesn’t get nominated, something is wrong with the world.
yup. it would not surprise me if matthew fox got nominated this year. he was great.
My thoughts exactly!
The Emmys need to show Lost some love this year. But then, they never showed any love towards Buffy or Battlestar Gallactica.
and i have never gotten over that! i have sworn off the emmys because of those oversights but i might consider letting them back in my life IF m. fox is nominated. and wins.
The Emmys have shown Lost plenty of love in the past… It won Outstanding Drama Series in 2005. Add to that Supporting Actor trophies for Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emmerson in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
@Graham, I think Sam was just saying that this season was so terrific, on the part of pretty much all of the cast, that it would be criminal not to recognize at least a couple of them. The past is the past, and Matthew Fox, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, and, though I know he won’t be nominated, and don’t really know what category he would fall in anyway, Dominic Monaghan.
LOl, here is the rest of my comment – ….. ALL deserve some recognition for their work this year.
So agree! Just the ep of Buffy “The Body” alone should have earned multi nods. I never got over the total disregard of Gimore Girls either. Maybe Lauren Graham will get some love for Parenthood.
Agreed Matthew Fox was just epic this season. Although it is a tough category!
Totally agree. This has been his strongest season since the first season – and definitely one of the take notice performances of the year in the finale. I’d put money on his nomination.
Matthew Fox definitely deserves accolades for his performance in The End. This entire season, he’s been incredible, but I hope they submit that episode for him.
I really hope he gets nominated. But I doubt if the Emmy votes are willing to watch that 2.5 hour episode if they’re not really following the TV series.
Matthew Fox absolutely deserves a nomination! His work was fantastic this season!
Amen. I’m a huge Lost fan and was never much of a Jack fan, but his work in the last season was excellent, and he was brilliant in the finale, which is the episode they submitted for consideration.
i agree…matthew fox gave a stellar performance this season, they really gave his character a lot of depth
Definetly needs to be nominated, his performance in “The End” was absolutelt heartbreaking yet inspiring.
God damn that scene with his Dad in the end. I never cried because of a TV scene before until that conversation with his dad.
THANK YOU for mentioning that scene. It was chilling and so perfect. Matthew Fox made non-fans care about his character this season. Hopefully voters were watching the finale.
Oh man, that scene with Jack and his dad had me bawling! When Jack realized he was dead, he conveyed shock, understanding, sadness, and fear all in a matter of seconds. I never cared much about the Emmys, but Matthew Fox needs to be at least nomiated!
Agreed! I thought this was a DREAM Emmy ballot. Fox absolutely deserves a nom, if not the win.
Yeah, that made me mad too. Matthew Fox did amazing this year, even with the flashsideways crap. He deserves a nomination at least.
It’s funny you say that, because even though I though he was AMAZING on the island, I thought his Sideways story was the best work he’s ever done. It was perfection.
He was just great in the finale, some of the best acting on T.V. When he was talking to Locke in the Light Well, uhhh man he was great. Also Terry O’Quinn and Micheal Emerson will def. get noms for Sup. Actors.
Matthew Fox deserves a nod! His work on Lost this season was phenomenal! Not to mention him is a crime in itself!
What? No Matthew Fox? That is just wrong. Other season I thought his acting was just ok, but he was amazing this season!
Agreed. I was never a Jack fan, but this season he did terrific. The last episode alone is deserving of an Emmy. Fox did an amazing job!
no arguments here. I doubt he’ll get nominated but I’d totally support it!
If no one from LOST is nominated, there is something seriously wrong with the world.
Couldn’t agree more! Matthew Fox was amazing! He carried that series finale brilliantly!
I agree – I really disliked Jack for 5+ seasons, but he did an amazing job in the finale. I personally think that Terry O’Quinn should be in the lead category this year, not supporting. Michael Emerson is always great, but his role was supporting – O’Quinn carried the season. Fox and/or O’Quinn should be nominated as Lead Actor this year.
Matthew Fox all the way! He is so underrated for the way he carried that amazing show for six years – by the end of season 6, I had never been more convinced by an actor ever. If he doesn’t get nominated, something is wrong with the world.
yup. it would not surprise me if matthew fox got nominated this year. he was great.
The Emmys need to show Lost some love this year. But then, they never showed any love towards Buffy or Battlestar Gallactica.
So agree! Just the ep of Buffy “The Body” alone should have earned multi nods. I never got over the total disregard of Gimore Girls either. Maybe Lauren Graham will get some love for Parenthood.
Agreed Matthew Fox was just epic this season. Although it is a tough category!
Totally agree. This has been his strongest season since the first season – and definitely one of the take notice performances of the year in the finale. I’d put money on his nomination.
Matthew Fox definitely deserves accolades for his performance in The End. This entire season, he’s been incredible, but I hope they submit that episode for him.
I really hope he gets nominated. But I doubt if the Emmy votes are willing to watch that 2.5 hour episode if they’re not really following the TV series.
Yeah, that made me mad too. Matthew Fox did amazing this year, even with the flashsideways crap. He deserves a nomination at least.
I’m so happy Lost has ended. I didn’t mind the show (just wasn’t my taste), but I’m excited at the possibility of Matthew Fox doing something totally different. Cause I agree he’s a good actor. Same with Kyle Chandler. I love Friday Night Lights and I love, love, LOVE that man, but I’m just looking foreward to the end of the show, with him moving on and maybe getting a part on a series where his talent will acutally be noticed by more than a few.
Matthew Fox deserves a nod! His work on Lost this season was phenomenal! Not to mention him is a crime in itself!