Emmy Watch: Drama, Drama, Drama

Jarett Wieselman
@JarettSays

September 16, 2011

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on September 18 and will see more than two dozen statuettes doled out in a variety of categories.

Not to diminish the accomplishments of the men and women celebrated in the non-performing categories, but I plan to spend the next week breaking down the major races in hopes of helping you claim victory in that office pool!

MORE: We Pick The Comedy Winners!

But since I have always had commitment problems, I will call out three performers from each nomination block and dub them either Want To Win, Will Win or Potential Dark Horse. Today are the Dramatic categories!

Outstanding Actress in a Drama
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law and Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

Want: Mireille Enos - Her quiet but powerful performance was one of the most nuanced and skillful of the season. But I worry the show's lackluster and infuriating finale will be mistakenly held against her.
Will: Julianna Margulies - After a sublime and strong second season, watching Julianna ascend the Emmy stairs for the first time since 1995 would be a wonderful sight.
Dark Horse: Kathy Bates - I don't know why but hearing the Oscar winner's name read aloud wouldn't shock me all that much given the show's phenomenal ratings, her big screen pedigree and the slightly older demo of Academy voters -- which syncs up with Harry's audience perfectly.

Outstanding Actor in a Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Want: Kyle Chandler - While I would be happy for a FNL win in any category, I think the show's star stands the best chance since his category is the weakest and his final season performance routinely brought tears to those clear eyes.
Will: Jon Hamm - Without his network-mate Bryan Cranston hogging the podium again, (Breaking Bad is ineligible this year), I think Jon's time has finally come. And it couldn't be more timely since season four was Don -- and Jon's -- most intricate, demanding and successful.
Dark Horse: Steve Buscemi - Although I call his show Bored-walk Empire, their domination of the Creative Arts Emmys bodes well for the HBO drama sweeping here as well.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale, Justified
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

Want: Christina Hendricks - OK, so Joan didn't have that much heavy lifting to do this season, but I would just love to see one of the sweetest people in Hollywood enjoy one of the sweetest professional moments possible.
Will: Archie Panjabi - Last year's surprise winner is a no-brainer this year given Kalinda's emotionally resonant storyline.
Dark Horse: Kelly Macdonald - If Boardwalk starts sweeping, expect this lovely lass to add to their tally.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Walton Goggins, Justified
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andrew Braugher, Men of a Certain Age

Want: Alan Cumming - Eli Gold is one of the most original characters on television -- which is thanks, in no small part, to the unique and dynamic performance Cumming gives on a weekly basis.
Will: Peter Dinklage - After building a career playing fascinating men in a wide array of indie films, Peter was finally given the chance to create on the small screen and turned the carousing and confident Tyrion Lannister into a larger than life hero!
Dark Horse: None. This is Dinklage's race to lose.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

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