Predictably terrible. Granted, Hannibal wasn't eligible this go-around, but JUSTIFIED AND THE AMERICANS SURE AS HELL WERE.
(Here were my wishes last year and the eventual reactionary post).
Okay. Let's do this.
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men
Orange is the New Black
The Americans
Justified
The Knick
Daredevil
Outlander
Clearly, The Good Wife and The Fall whiffed this season, nor was I entirely thrilled with Broadchurch S2. Sons of Anarchy was a snub for lots of folk, and the Leftovers and Rectify have small, but devoted followings. I've heard S2 of Halt and Catch Fire is a huge improvement from S1. I haven't finished Outlander quite yet, but the first half was fab (THERE'S A COSTUME DRAMA FOR YOU, OLDER EMMY VOTERS), and easily better than Downton. I mean, seriously: nominating Downton and Homeland at this point is ridiculous, I'm kinda almost okay with HoC and OITNB, but GoT is just fucking irresponsible. THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD TV OUT THERE AT THIS POINT, EMMYS. YOUR JOB IS TO WATCH IT.
(Fun with the ballot: True Blood was submitted for its final season! BWAHAHAHAHA.)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kyle Chandler, Bloodline
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Sam Heughan, Outlander
Charlie Cox, Daredevil
Grant Gustin, The Flash
Josh Hartnett, Penny Dreadful
I know several of those sound like fan service, but hear me out.
First off, no Timothy Olyphant? Unacceptable.
I'm surprised that Josh Hartnett was submitted as a lead for Penny Dreadful, but he had a terrific arc this season. I've never been a fan of his, but he's really surprised me on this show. Plus, he is responsible for my single favorite, most believable moment on tv this year:
And granted, it shouldn't surprise me that the Emmys overlook genre work - it took Tatiana three years to be nominated - but it's such a shame to have so much good work overlooked. Speaking of which:
Daredevil was surprisingly good, and with Charlie Cox's portrayal of Matt Murdock gave us some great scenes, like Matt being surprised by Fisk, his chats with his priest, or - what I think is the crowning bit of the series - Matt and Foggy's episode long-fight when Foggy discover's Matt's secret. It was so devastating and so well played by the two of them. Oh - and he played blind really well.
The Flash is, let's face it, a superhero show on the CW, and one that has astoundingly stupid villain names and a hyper-intelligent talking gorilla. Plus it took a few episodes to find its footing -- but damn if it didn't get great. Part of that was due to the season-long arc with Tom Cavanagh's excellent, complex villain. But at this point? I care waaaaay more about Barry Allen's emotional well-being than... most other superheroes. Certainly most of the Avengers. And Grant Gustin gets several great scenes to play: meetings with his father in prison, any father/son scenes with Jesse L. Martin - particularly the finale, watching his mother die AGAIN. Basically, what I'm saying is: the boy cries well.
(I haven't seen S2 of Peaky Blinders yet, so I can't be sure, but I'd be surprised if Cillian Murphy weren't excellent. And I've heard the same for Aden Young in Rectify. He'll never be up, but I love Michael Emerson on Person of Interest.)
OH. PETER CAPALDI. Why is he not eligible for Doctor Who? I LOVED his take on the character.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Claire Danes, Homeland
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Taraji P Henson, Empire
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Keri Russell, The Americans
Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
Hayley Atwell, Agent Carter
Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Olivia Colman, Broadchurch
Huzzah for Tatiana! ABOUT DAMN TIME. (Even if I was less thrilled with S3 than previous ones).
And I would like to have seen these ladies included as well:
Finally, The Fall fell off a cliff (heh) at the end of S2, but Gillian Anderson did some more great work up to that point. I haven't seen The Affair, but I love Ruth Wilson so much from Luther, that I'll add her in here.
(Here were my wishes last year and the eventual reactionary post).
Okay. Let's do this.
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul
Game of Thrones
Homeland
The Americans
Justified
The Knick
Daredevil
Outlander
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| Me, too, Raylan. Me, too. |
(Fun with the ballot: True Blood was submitted for its final season! BWAHAHAHAHA.)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kyle Chandler, Bloodline
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Sam Heughan, Outlander
Charlie Cox, Daredevil
Grant Gustin, The Flash
Josh Hartnett, Penny Dreadful
I know several of those sound like fan service, but hear me out.
First off, no Timothy Olyphant? Unacceptable.
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| ME TOO. |
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| And, in that moment, we were all Ethan Chandler. |
![]() |
| *sniffle* |
![]() |
| *open sobbing* |
(I haven't seen S2 of Peaky Blinders yet, so I can't be sure, but I'd be surprised if Cillian Murphy weren't excellent. And I've heard the same for Aden Young in Rectify. He'll never be up, but I love Michael Emerson on Person of Interest.)
OH. PETER CAPALDI. Why is he not eligible for Doctor Who? I LOVED his take on the character.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Taraji P Henson, Empire
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Keri Russell, The Americans
Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
Hayley Atwell, Agent Carter
Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Olivia Colman, Broadchurch
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| Helena to all the other nominees |
And I would like to have seen these ladies included as well:
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| That is some serious intensity |
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| At least someone does |




















