o-BREAKING-BAD-FINALE-facebookEmmy Nominations are a week away, look for my predictions soon. Netflix has two series nominations in this grouping, but Orange is the New Black will be in comedy categories, but this a dream ballot, and in mine it’s easily a drama.

Outstanding Drama Series
“Breaking Bad”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Good Wife”
“House of Cards”
“Masters of Sex”
“Orange is the New Black”

Bad had the best final season of a television show, while Orange and Masters had great years in their first. Wife had its best season, and Thrones just keeps getting better. Cards was a steady favorite in season 2.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston as Walter White in “Breaking Bad”
Hugh Dancy as Will Graham in “Hannibal”
Mad Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lector in “Hannibal”
Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in “The Americans”
Michael Sheen as Dr. William H. Masters in “Masters of Sex”
Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in “House of Cards”

Cranston’s Walter White is one of the best characters in television history; he ended things perfectly! Dancy and Mikkelsen, are the anti-dynamic duo, but are perfect in their roles. Rhys kills it, sometimes literally every week. Spacey’s Fank Underwood is still terrifying. Sheen’s performance is so manicured, but in a way that proves he is one of the best actors.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lizzy Caplan as Virginia Johnson in “Masters of Sex”
Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in “The Good Wife”
Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning, Alison Hendrix, Cosima Niehaus, Rachel Duncan, Jennifer Fitzsimmons, Tony Sawicki, and Helena in “Orphan Black”
Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in “The Americans”
Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman in “Orange is the New Black”
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood in “House of Cards”

This may be the strongest this category has ever been! Wright gave humanity with a twist, and made Claire even more interesting. Schilling’s Piper is more than privilege, and her jolt into prison was was well played. Maslany still amazes me with ever personality she plays. Russell is stoic, but brilliant. Caplan’s fight to be taken seriously is an astonishing journey. Margulies is the best actress on television, simply put!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jim Carter as Mr. Carson in “Downton Abbey”
Josh Charles as Will Gardner in “The Good Wife”
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in “Game of Thrones”
Dean Norris as Hank Schraeder in “Breaking Bad”
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in “Breaking Bad”
Peter Sarsgaard as Ray Seward in “The Killing”

While this is the weakest category each of these men was great. In a boring season of Downtown Carter was a true standout. Charles left the show early, but was an MVP on so many levels. Dinklage gave so many great speeches I lost count. Norris finally got to sink his teeth into some great material. Paul’s Jesse Pinkman drove off with my heart. Sarsgaard was electrifying!

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockheart in “The Good Wife”
Anna Gunn as Skylar White in “Breaking Bad”
Annet Mahendru as Nina Sargeevna in “The Americans”
Melissa McBride as Carol Pelletier in “The Walking Dead”
Kate Mulgrew as Galina ‘Red’ Reznikov in “Orange is the New Black”
Bellamy Young as First Lady Mellie Grant in “Scandal”

Baranski is fierce as Diane. Gunn made us weep. Nina was a double agent who played both sides with great depth. McBride was motherly and her story heartbreaking. Mulgrew was a scene stealer. Young was the highlight of this season’s Scandal.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Beau Bridges-“Masters of Sex”
Reg E. Cathey-“House of Cards”
Raul Esparza-“Hannibal”
Michael J. Fox-“The Good Wife”
Harry Hamlin-“Mad Men”
Pedro Pascal-“Game of Thrones”

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Uzo Aduba-“Orange is the New Black”
Laverne Cox-“Orange is the New Black”
Allison Janney-“Masters of Sex”
Julianne Nicholson-“Masters of Sex”
Carrie Preston-“The Good Wife”
Diana Rigg-“Game of Thrones”

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
“Breaking Bad”-Ozymandias-Rian Johnson
“Hannibal”-Mizumono-David Slade
“House of Cards”-Chapter 14-Carl Franklin
“Game of Thrones”-The Watchers on the Wall-Neil Marshall
“The Good Wife”-Dramatics, Your Honor-Brooke Kennedy
“Mad Men”-Waterloo-Matthew Weiner

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
“The Americans”-Echo-Joe Fields and Joe Weisberg
“Breaking Bad”-Ozymandias-Moira Walley-Beckett
“Breaking Bad”-Felina-Vince Gilligan
“The Good Wife”-Hitting the Fan-Robert and Michelle King
“Masters of Sex”-Catherine-Michelle Ashford & Sam Shaw
“Orange is the New Black”-Can’t Fix Crazy-Jenji Kohan and Tara Hermann