Emmys 2011: A Look At The Lead Drama Actress Race — Including Our 6 Dream Nominees

By Team TVLine

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_KBates_600 Kathy Bates, Harry's LawThough the veteran actress and Oscar winner has been nominated for an Emmy seven times for previous projects (including once as a director), she’s yet to take home a TV trophy. But her new gig on Harry’s Law — a rare bright spot in NBC’s current lineup — could change that.

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), she's yet to take home a TV trophy. But her new gig on Harry's Law — a rare bright spot in NBC's current lineup — could change that.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_JBeals_600 Jennifer Beals, The Chicago CodeAs solid as her work on Fox's cop drama was, the Flashdance icon has next to no shot at an Emmy nomination. It isn’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.

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 isn'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.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_CBritton_600 Connie Britton, Friday Night LightsLike 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 she’ll not just make the ballot again, but be a wild-card winner.

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 she'll not just make the ballot again, but be a wild-card winner.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_DDelany_600 Dana Delany, Body of ProofSince this former Desperate Housewife has five nominations and two wins under her belt (both for China Beach), it’s safe to say that Emmy loves her. So, although voters snubbed her during her stint on Wisteria Lane, don’t be surprised if she’s among the nominees now that she’s headlining ABC’s surprise hit.

Dana Delany, Body of Proof

Since this former Desperate Housewife has five nominations and two wins under her belt (both for China Beach), it's safe to say that Emmy loves her. So, although voters snubbed her during her stint on Wisteria Lane, don't be surprised if she's among the nominees now that she's headlining ABC's surprise hit.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_EDeschanel_600 Emily Deschanel, BonesShe’s great at speaking forensic anthologist. She’s great at playing the romantic lead. She’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?

Emily Deschanel, Bones

She's great at speaking forensic anthologist. She's great at playing the romantic lead. She'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?

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_MEnos_600 Mireille Enos, The KillingThe AMC whodunit is one of the season’s most talked about new series, and its leading lady an absolute revelation. Still, too few seem to know her name -– and if so, perhaps that’s too few to get her acknowledged for her beautifully understated performance.

Mireille Enos, The Killing

The AMC whodunit is one of the season's most talked about new series, and its leading lady an absolute revelation. Still, too few seem to know her name -– and if so, perhaps that's too few to get her acknowledged for her beautifully understated performance.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_LGraham_600 Lauren Graham, ParenthoodIf the former star of Gilmore Girls didn’t receive a single Emmy nomination during that beloved series’ entire run — and she didn’t! — it’s hard to imagine her luck will change just because she’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.

Lauren Graham, Parenthood

If the former star of Gilmore Girls didn't receive a single Emmy nomination during that beloved series' entire run — and she didn't! — it's hard to imagine her luck will change just because she'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.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_MHargitay_600 Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims UnitThe actress has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series every year since 2004, winning in 2006. So for her there’s less drama over another nod, and more about her bagging another statuette. (It might be more likely following her swan song next season.)

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 there's less drama over another nod, and more about her bagging another statuette. (It might be more likely following her swan song next season.)

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_JJones_600 January Jones, Mad MenWhereas Elisabeth Moss (who plays Peggy) has opted to vie for Lead Actress this time around, Jones’ surprising decision to remain in the category despite having clocked less screen time than many of her co-stars — on-screen daughter Sally (Kiernan Shipka) included! — will likely torpedo her shot at a second consecutive nomination.

January Jones, Mad Men

Whereas Elisabeth Moss (who plays Peggy) has opted to vie for Lead Actress this time around, Jones' surprising decision to remain in the category despite having clocked less screen time than many of her co-stars — on-screen daughter Sally (Kiernan Shipka) included! — will likely torpedo her shot at a second consecutive nomination.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_JMargulies_600 Julianna Margulies, The Good WifeThis will sound like a rerun to anyone who followed last year’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 -– nominated six times for ER (taking home a statuette in 1995) –- is guaranteed at very least a nod.

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

This will sound like a rerun to anyone who followed last year'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 -– nominated six times for ER (taking home a statuette in 1995) –- is guaranteed at very least a nod.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_EMoss_600 Elisabeth Moss, Mad MenIt’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; “The Suitcase” episode that focuses almost exclusively on her and Jon Hamm’s Don Draper makes her not only a shoo-in for a nod, but possibly even the one to beat.

Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

It'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; "The Suitcase" episode that focuses almost exclusively on her and Jon Hamm's Don Draper makes her not only a shoo-in for a nod, but possibly even the one to beat.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_APaquin_600 Anna Paquin, True BloodEmmy 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.

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.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_PPerabo_600 Piper Perabo, Covert AffairsSince USA is flexing its muscle as a producer of noteworthy original programming this Emmy season (see also: the cabler’s campaign for White Collar’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.

Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs

Since USA is flexing its muscle as a producer of noteworthy original programming this Emmy season (see also: the cabler's campaign for White Collar'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.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_ERossum_600 Emmy Rossum, ShamelessThough this one-time ingénue’s now more mature work as the de facto “parent” 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 she’ll get to a nomination this year is celebrating if co-star William H. Macy manages to snag one.

Emmy Rossum, Shameless

Though this one-time ingénue's now more mature work as the de facto "parent" 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 she'll get to a nomination this year is celebrating if co-star William H. Macy manages to snag one.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_KSagal_600 Katey Sagal, Sons of AnarchyThat the former Married... With Children star wasn’t nominated last year was one of 2010's most egregious snubs. Luckily, there’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 won’t repeat itself.

Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy

That the former Married... With Children star wasn't nominated last year was one of 2010's most egregious snubs. Luckily, there'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 won't repeat itself.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_KSedgwick_600 Kyra Sedgwick, The CloserLast year’s surprise winner in this category is all but certain to be nominated again. (She’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.

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Last year's surprise winner in this category is all but certain to be nominated again. (She'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.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_ATorv_600 Anna Torv, FringeThis 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, there’s more than one Mary McDonnell who isn’t for Battlestar Galactica. Since Torv rocks multiple worlds, we deem her a worthy long shot.

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, there's more than one Mary McDonnell who isn't for Battlestar Galactica. Since Torv rocks multiple worlds, we deem her a worthy long shot.

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Emmys2011_DramaActress_JTrippleHorn_600 Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big LoveThe 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 there’s the fact that she’s never been nominated (at least not for the HBO hit). But with the series now concluded, perhaps the element of “It’s now or never” will be the catalyst to get her an accolade that is long overdue.

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 there's the fact that she's never been nominated (at least not for the HBO hit). But with the series now concluded, perhaps the element of "It's now or never" will be the catalyst to get her an accolade that is long overdue.

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