Emmys 2011: A Look at the Lead Drama Actress Race — Including Our 6 Dream Nominees
In 2010, the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series seemed destined to go to Julianna Margulies for The Good Wife. Everybody said so. Apparently everybody but the Emmy voters, that is. They decided instead, that after her fifth nomination, it was The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick who finally deserved to win. This year the big buzz surrounds Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss. Come award night, will she or some other fresh face have the statuette in their hand? Or will Margulies, again a seeming frontrunner, claim it this time? Or someone else patiently waiting their turn? Here’s our analysis of the standouts competing to get a nod.
More Emmy Races In Review: Outstanding Drama Series | Supporting Comedy Actor | Supporting Comedy Actress | Lead Comedy Actor | Lead Comedy Actress | Outstanding Comedy Series | Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
Review this slideshow of the major contenders — including TVLine’s Dream Nominees — then vote below for who you think are the six best. And check back Friday for our preview of the Outstanding Lead Drama Actor race!
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Though the veteran actress and Oscar winner has been nominated for an Emmy seven times for previous projects (including once as a director), sheÂ's yet to take home a TV trophy. But her new gig on HarryÂ's Law Â-- a rare bright spot in NBCÂ's current lineup Â-- could change that.
Jennifer Beals, The Chicago Code
As solid as her work on Fox's cop drama was, the Flashdance icon has next to no shot at an Emmy nomination. It isnÂ't unheard of for the star of a canceled show to get a nod, of course. But the acclaimed crime drama lasted less than four months, which sadly was not enough time for regular viewers to discover it, much less Emmy voters.
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Like her onscreen hubby Kyle Chandler, she finally broke into the Emmy race last year. Especially in light of this being the last time the NBC/ DirecTV classic series is eligible to receive nominations, perhaps sheÂ'll not just make the ballot again, but be a wild-card winner.
Dana Delany, Body of Proof
Since this former Desperate Housewife has five nominations and two wins under her belt (both for China Beach), itÂ's safe to say that Emmy loves her. So, although voters snubbed her during her stint on Wisteria Lane, donÂ't be surprised if sheÂ's among the nominees now that sheÂ's headlining ABCÂ's surprise hit.
Emily Deschanel, Bones
SheÂ's great at speaking forensic anthologist. SheÂ's great at playing the romantic lead. SheÂ's great at funny, serious and everything in between. The only thing she isn't great at? Getting nominated for an Emmy. Is this the year that game changes?
Mireille Enos, The Killing
The AMC whodunit is one of the seasonÂ's most talked about new series, and its leading lady an absolute revelation. Still, too few seem to know her name -Â- and if so, perhaps thatÂ's too few to get her acknowledged for her beautifully understated performance.
Lauren Graham, Parenthood
If the former star of Gilmore Girls didnÂ't receive a single Emmy nomination during that beloved seriesÂ' entire run Â-- and she didnÂ't! Â-- itÂ's hard to imagine her luck will change just because sheÂ's moved on to Parenthood. Unless NBC is able to work a miracle with its award campaign, simply being brilliant will have to be its own reward.
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
The actress has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series every year since 2004, winning in 2006. So for her thereÂ's less drama over another nod, and more about her bagging another statuette. (It might be more likely following her swan song next season.)
January Jones, Mad Men
Whereas Elisabeth Moss (who plays Peggy) has opted to vie for Lead Actress this time around, JonesÂ' surprising decision to remain in the category despite having clocked less screen time than many of her co-stars Â-- on-screen daughter Sally (Kiernan Shipka) included! Â-- will likely torpedo her shot at a second consecutive nomination.
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
This will sound like a rerun to anyone who followed last yearÂ's Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy derby, but yes, the star of The Good Wife is again the presumptive favorite to win. Whether or not the prize is ultimately snatched away in another upset, this elegant actress -Â- nominated six times for ER (taking home a statuette in 1995) Â-- is guaranteed at very least a nod.
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
ItÂ's a good thing that Peggy Olson's portrayer is going for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series again after a year in the Supporting category; Â"The SuitcaseÂ" episode that focuses almost exclusively on her and Jon HammÂ's Don Draper makes her not only a shoo-in for a nod, but possibly even the one to beat.
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Emmy voters have yet to recognize Blood's leading lady for her alternately hilarious and moving performance as Sookie Stackhouse — and given how crowded the Lead Actress race is this year, it's doubtful they'll start now. Another worthy long-shot.
Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs
Since USA is flexing its muscle as a producer of noteworthy original programming this Emmy season (see also: the cablerÂ's campaign for White CollarÂ's Matthew Bomer), its Covert Affairs leading lady is getting a big push for a nomination. Whether it will work remains to be seen. But at very least, the drum-beating is drawing attention to a fine performance by a bright up-and-comer heretofore best known for Coyote Ugly.
Emmy Rossum, Shameless
Though this one-time ingénueÂ's now more mature work as the de facto Â"parentÂ" on Showtime's rookie drama is beyond admirable, her status as an Emmy newcomer — as well as her show not having the highest profile — probably means that the closest sheÂ'll get to a nomination this year is celebrating if co-star William H. Macy manages to snag one.
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
That the former Married… With Children star wasnÂ't nominated last year was one of 2010′s most egregious snubs. Luckily, thereÂ's a lot of momentum behind her going into this nomination season (thanks in part to her January Golden Globe win), so hopefully that unfortunate bit of history wonÂ't repeat itself.
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Last yearÂ's surprise winner in this category is all but certain to be nominated again. (SheÂ's been in the running every year since 2006.) Since she has announced that The Closer is closing, voters might even be inclined to give her another statuette while they still have the chance.
Anna Torv, Fringe
This season, Fringe had its leading lady juggling not one, not two, not three, but four roles (one of them being… Leonard Nimoy?!). Unfortunately for her, Emmy is sci-fi averse, so for every Gillian Anderson who gets recognized for The X-Files, thereÂ's more than one Mary McDonnell who isnÂ't for Battlestar Galactica. Since Torv rocks multiple worlds, we deem her a worthy long shot.
Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big Love
The HBO drama's lead sister wife has a lot working against her in her bid for Emmy recognition. For starters, voters never really seemed to warm to the underrated polygamist family drama. Then thereÂ's the fact that sheÂ's never been nominated (at least not for the HBO hit). But with the series now concluded, perhaps the element of Â"ItÂ's now or neverÂ" will be the catalyst to get her an accolade that is long overdue.
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Though the veteran actress and Oscar winner has been nominated for an Emmy seven times for previous projects (including once as a director), sheÂ's yet to take home a TV trophy. But her new gig on HarryÂ's Law Â-- a rare bright spot in NBCÂ's current lineup Â-- could change that.
Jennifer Beals, The Chicago Code
As solid as her work on Fox's cop drama was, the Flashdance icon has next to no shot at an Emmy nomination. It isnÂ't unheard of for the star of a canceled show to get a nod, of course. But the acclaimed crime drama lasted less than four months, which sadly was not enough time for regular viewers to discover it, much less Emmy voters.
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Like her onscreen hubby Kyle Chandler, she finally broke into the Emmy race last year. Especially in light of this being the last time the NBC/ DirecTV classic series is eligible to receive nominations, perhaps sheÂ'll not just make the ballot again, but be a wild-card winner.
Dana Delany, Body of Proof
Since this former Desperate Housewife has five nominations and two wins under her belt (both for China Beach), itÂ's safe to say that Emmy loves her. So, although voters snubbed her during her stint on Wisteria Lane, donÂ't be surprised if sheÂ's among the nominees now that sheÂ's headlining ABCÂ's surprise hit.
Emily Deschanel, Bones
SheÂ's great at speaking forensic anthologist. SheÂ's great at playing the romantic lead. SheÂ's great at funny, serious and everything in between. The only thing she isn't great at? Getting nominated for an Emmy. Is this the year that game changes?
Mireille Enos, The Killing
The AMC whodunit is one of the seasonÂ's most talked about new series, and its leading lady an absolute revelation. Still, too few seem to know her name -Â- and if so, perhaps thatÂ's too few to get her acknowledged for her beautifully understated performance.
Lauren Graham, Parenthood
If the former star of Gilmore Girls didnÂ't receive a single Emmy nomination during that beloved seriesÂ' entire run Â-- and she didnÂ't! Â-- itÂ's hard to imagine her luck will change just because sheÂ's moved on to Parenthood. Unless NBC is able to work a miracle with its award campaign, simply being brilliant will have to be its own reward.
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
The actress has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series every year since 2004, winning in 2006. So for her thereÂ's less drama over another nod, and more about her bagging another statuette. (It might be more likely following her swan song next season.)
January Jones, Mad Men
Whereas Elisabeth Moss (who plays Peggy) has opted to vie for Lead Actress this time around, JonesÂ' surprising decision to remain in the category despite having clocked less screen time than many of her co-stars Â-- on-screen daughter Sally (Kiernan Shipka) included! Â-- will likely torpedo her shot at a second consecutive nomination.
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
This will sound like a rerun to anyone who followed last yearÂ's Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy derby, but yes, the star of The Good Wife is again the presumptive favorite to win. Whether or not the prize is ultimately snatched away in another upset, this elegant actress -Â- nominated six times for ER (taking home a statuette in 1995) Â-- is guaranteed at very least a nod.
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
ItÂ's a good thing that Peggy Olson's portrayer is going for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series again after a year in the Supporting category; Â"The SuitcaseÂ" episode that focuses almost exclusively on her and Jon HammÂ's Don Draper makes her not only a shoo-in for a nod, but possibly even the one to beat.
Anna Paquin, True Blood
Emmy voters have yet to recognize Blood's leading lady for her alternately hilarious and moving performance as Sookie Stackhouse — and given how crowded the Lead Actress race is this year, it's doubtful they'll start now. Another worthy long-shot.
Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs
Since USA is flexing its muscle as a producer of noteworthy original programming this Emmy season (see also: the cablerÂ's campaign for White CollarÂ's Matthew Bomer), its Covert Affairs leading lady is getting a big push for a nomination. Whether it will work remains to be seen. But at very least, the drum-beating is drawing attention to a fine performance by a bright up-and-comer heretofore best known for Coyote Ugly.
Emmy Rossum, Shameless
Though this one-time ingénueÂ's now more mature work as the de facto Â"parentÂ" on Showtime's rookie drama is beyond admirable, her status as an Emmy newcomer — as well as her show not having the highest profile — probably means that the closest sheÂ'll get to a nomination this year is celebrating if co-star William H. Macy manages to snag one.
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
That the former Married… With Children star wasnÂ't nominated last year was one of 2010′s most egregious snubs. Luckily, thereÂ's a lot of momentum behind her going into this nomination season (thanks in part to her January Golden Globe win), so hopefully that unfortunate bit of history wonÂ't repeat itself.
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Last yearÂ's surprise winner in this category is all but certain to be nominated again. (SheÂ's been in the running every year since 2006.) Since she has announced that The Closer is closing, voters might even be inclined to give her another statuette while they still have the chance.
Anna Torv, Fringe
This season, Fringe had its leading lady juggling not one, not two, not three, but four roles (one of them being… Leonard Nimoy?!). Unfortunately for her, Emmy is sci-fi averse, so for every Gillian Anderson who gets recognized for The X-Files, thereÂ's more than one Mary McDonnell who isnÂ't for Battlestar Galactica. Since Torv rocks multiple worlds, we deem her a worthy long shot.
Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big Love
The HBO drama's lead sister wife has a lot working against her in her bid for Emmy recognition. For starters, voters never really seemed to warm to the underrated polygamist family drama. Then thereÂ's the fact that sheÂ's never been nominated (at least not for the HBO hit). But with the series now concluded, perhaps the element of Â"ItÂ's now or neverÂ" will be the catalyst to get her an accolade that is long overdue.
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