We've already discussed our comedy ballots and though we've got a few more individual FYCs coming and are still trying to sample various new series we missed that others are rooting for before the nominations, let's talk Drama Series. Emmy is always loathe to change up its nominations so the actual nominees this year are likely to be the exact same as last year which means that you're looking at...
PREDICTIONS
Do you think GAME OF THRONES can repeat its win?
- Game of Thrones (Season 6 -- nominated for all previous seasons. 1 win for Season 5)
- Better Call Saul (Season 2 -- nominated last year, too)
- Downton Abbey (Season 6 -- nominated for all previous seasons. 1 win for Season 1 as "limited series")
- Homeland (Season 5 -- nominated for 3 of 4 previous seasons. 1 win for Season 1)
- House of Cards (Season 4 -- nominated for all previous seasons)
- Orange is the New Black (Season 3 -- nominated for all previous seasons. though first was in "comedy")
Basically you're looking at the same lineup that's been going on for half a decade (since Better Call Saul just replaced its origin series Breaking Bad). But with Mad Men out of the picture there is exactly one slot free, which we assume will be taken by...
- Mr Robot (Season 1 -- since its won so much buzz, acclaim, and fandom in its debut season)
PREFERENCES
If I was in charge rare would be the series that was always nominated since nearly all series have some ebb and flow in terms of quality and there is (thankfully) so much quality competition out there. The only long-running television show of my entire life that I would have nominated every single year was Mad Men...
(My other favorite show of all time Buffy the Vampire Slayer I would have only nominated for five of its seven seasons) You may recall that my ballot last year was "Daredevil (S1), Empire (S1), The Leftovers (S1), Mad Men (S7b), Masters of Sex (S2), Orange is the New Black (S2), and Outlander (S1)" with The Flash (S1) just on the outside crying beautiful man tears about just missing. Though all but Mad Men are still airing, only two of those would still make it this year...
Again, despite what Emmy perpetually sells, most shows dip and rise in quality constantly. Even if a show is still good it's not always "best" and sometimes shows sink from "best" to "unwatchable" or at least "tired" more quickly than one could ever hope. Penny Dreadful is a good example of varying quality. The first season had a lot of promise but it was awkwardly presented, more high-concept than good story. It never felt like a "great" show. In the second season everything came together superbly, braiding elements that felt too separate or gimmicky in the first season. With a tighter focus and a stronger villain, it soared perversely and thrilled with its acting showdowns. Season 3 has lost some of that focus (separating all your major characters is so rarely a good idea) so I probably won't nominate it next year but Season 2 is absolutely deserving. (Note: Penny Dreadful straddles the Eligibility dates each year so it's Emmy contention is always confusing but this year the voters are supposed to be responding a Season 2 which aired an entire year ago. I checked the ballots)
My ballot for this Emmy year would contain only two shows from last year though I still watch all those shows and most are still good. I know The Americans is probably deserving but I am perpetually running behind on that show so it feels weird to include it fully.
- Agent Carter (S2) - Sending it to Hollywood was a clever move with rich rewards. Sad to see this delightful retro-stylish show go.
- Downton Abbey (S6) - I'm not immune to nostalgia and I have to send it off with love. (Returning after absence)
- The Leftovers (S2) - Even better and it was great to begin with. (Consecutive nomination)
- Mr Robot (S1) -Very strong launch though i wonder how they can sustain it
- Orange is the New Black (S3) -Still amazing. Each season has had such a different flavor which is rewarding since the more typical TV tradition is doing the same thing with slight variations like a well oiled machine (Consecutive nomination)
- Penny Dreadful (S2) -Everything came together: creepy, memorable, mythic, well plotted
- UnREAL (S1) -Every episode of this totally original series -- which looks at the sociopathic showrunning of a reality show that is suspiciously like "The Bachelor" -- was like exclamation points all over my face. Provocative, superbly acted, and bracingly funny but disturbing - like a cold snap with an afterburn.
Winner: UnREAL
My acting ballots are after the jump... Share yours in the comments!
Winner: Rami Malek, Mr Robot
(It was Jon Hamm for me last year)
Winner: Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
(It was Taraji P Henson for me last year)
Winner: David Tennant, Jessica Jones
Winner: Regina King, The Leftovers
BUT... Write-in vote for Adrienne C Moore for "Black Cindy" on Orange is the New Black. Her arc of conversion to Judaism was so superbly rendered, transforming from comic to dramatic as the season turned. For me she was the MVP of the third season. Sadly she is not eligible for the Emmy as she was not submitted. Which is... insane. Awards shows keep re-rewarding Uzo Aduba which is disappointing because this show has such a deep bench of talented women and the MVPs change drastically from season to season so the nominations really ought to as well.
Winner: BD Wong, Mr Robot
Winner: Patti Lupone, Penny Dreadful