Emmys 2019: Lead Actress, Drama — Dream Nominees
The One Where Kurt Saves Diane
CHRISTINE BARANSKI, THE GOOD FIGHT
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Because in Season 3 Diane Lockhart had everything thrown at her but the kitchen sink, and Baranski weathered the constant assault like the pro that she is. As Diane navigated innumerable workplace scandals by day and attempted to bring down the Trump presidency by night, Baranski imbued her alter ego with vim, vigor and refreshing vulnerability. In her capable hands, this decade-old character has never felt fresher or more relevant.
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ELIZABETH OLSEN, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: She starred in a tiny show on a little-known network (Facebook makes shows now?!), but Olsen actually delivered one of the year's most stunning performances anywhere on TV. As young widow Leigh, she smashed our expectations of how a grieving wife is supposed to act, painting a richly complex portrait laced with anger and regret. Leigh is a hard character to fully wrap your arms around — literally; she's not a hugger — but thanks to Olsen's magnificently nuanced work, she was never less than fascinating.
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EMILIA CLARKE, GAME OF THRONES
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Whether or not you agreed with Daenerys' major turn in the HBO series' final season, you've gotta admit: Clarke was on (wild)fire. As Dany watched her hold on the Iron Throne slip away, Clarke pushed her character to previously unseen levels of desperation, desolation and ultimately despotism. We particularly loved her portrayal of the dragon queen in the series finale: so set in her mission, so sure of her actions, so unaware that death literally had her in its embrace. Kudos, khaleesi.
jodie-comer-killing-eve-emmys-2019
JODIE COMER, KILLING EVE
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Honestly, we're liable to go on a crime spree of our own if Emmy voters snub Comer again this year. Hired killer Villanelle was still modeling impossibly chic fashions and tossing off vicious bon mots in Season 2, but Comer took her portrayal even deeper, showing us that murderous psychopaths have feelings, too. Her co-star Sandra Oh grabbed the spotlight (and a few awards) in Season 1; this time, it's Comer's turn.
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MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, THE DEUCE
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: The Deuce isn't so much a show where things happen as it is a series of evolving character studies, and Gyllenhaal deserves a ton of credit for making Candy's so captivating. Season 2 put Candy behind the camera, directing and producing a female-centric porn film, and the sense of wonder and excitement — tinged with fear of people finding out what she did for a living — that Gyllenhaal brought to her arc was a welcome bright spot in an increasingly dark season.
This Is Us - Season 3
MANDY MOORE, THIS IS US
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: We hope the network execs who passed on pilots Moore was cast in prior to This Is Us are kicking themselves: The actress continues to be a revelation as the NBC drama explores uncharted territory in the Pearson matriarch's life. The song in the car outside the record company? The panic attack at graduation? Both were examples that this is an actress of formidable talent who (seemingly effortlessly) finds new angles on Rebecca — no mean feat, three seasons in.
New Eden
SONEQUA MARTIN-GREEN, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Michael Burnham had a galaxy full of family issues to deal with in Discovery's sophomore run, from her brother Spock returning after years of exile to her mother Gabrielle returning from the dead (!). Through it all, Martin-Green carefully balanced Burnham's usual steely tenacity with a touching vulnerability, and sharing scenes with Ethan Peck's Spock only helped her up her game. Trek shows typically aren't in the Emmys mix, but Martin-Green gave us a great reason to explore that final frontier.