Emmys 2011: Analyzing The Best Drama Series Race — Including Our 6 Dream Nominees

By Team TVLine

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emmys2011_dramaseries_514

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emmys2011_dramaseries_biglove_600 Big LoveHBO’s polygamist Mormon soap faltered in its fourth season but regained its footing when it returned this year, and just in time to go out on top. However, having only been nominated for Outstanding Drama Series once (in 2009 — and losing), it may be a long shot to receive one last showing of love.

Big Love

HBO's polygamist Mormon soap faltered in its fourth season but regained its footing when it returned this year, and just in time to go out on top. However, having only been nominated for Outstanding Drama Series once (in 2009 — and losing), it may be a long shot to receive one last showing of love.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_bluebloods_600 Blue BloodsThough this freshman CBS drama is one of the fall season’s only breakout hits, it was passed over for a Golden Globe nomination. So, in spite of the series’ glowing reviews, the network faces an uphill battle convincing Emmy voters to give it a nod.

Blue Bloods

Though this freshman CBS drama is one of the fall season's only breakout hits, it was passed over for a Golden Globe nomination. So, in spite of the series' glowing reviews, the network faces an uphill battle convincing Emmy voters to give it a nod.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_boardwalkempire_600 Boardwalk EmpireComing off victories for the SAG, WGA, and DGA awards, this Prohibition-era drama all but has its Emmy nomination in the bag, and may have the inside track to win as well —because HBO has more money to campaign for Emmy than does its primary cable rival, upstart AMC. As showrunner Terence Winter notes humbly: “Awards attention is very gratifying. But the work itself is the real reward.”

Boardwalk Empire

Coming off victories for the SAG, WGA, and DGA awards, this Prohibition-era drama all but has its Emmy nomination in the bag, and may have the inside track to win as well —because HBO has more money to campaign for Emmy than does its primary cable rival, upstart AMC. As showrunner Terence Winter notes humbly: "Awards attention is very gratifying. But the work itself is the real reward."

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emmys2011_dramaseries_dexter_600 DexterThis past season, the Showtime thriller’s fifth, didn’t generate anywhere near the kind of buzz of the one that preceded it (which featured John Lithgow’s memorable, Emmy-winning turn as the Trinity killer). But you can’t completely snuff the series’ chances — it has been nominated three times before.

Dexter

This past season, the Showtime thriller's fifth, didn't generate anywhere near the kind of buzz of the one that preceded it (which featured John Lithgow's memorable, Emmy-winning turn as the Trinity killer). But you can't completely snuff the series' chances — it has been nominated three times before.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_fridaynightlights_600 Friday Night LightsSince series leads Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton snuck into the Emmy derby last year, there is at least hope that the series itself could score a nomination this year. It might help that voters know that if they’re ever going to acknowledge NBC/DirecTV’s TCA Award-winning drama, this is their last chance. Clear eyes, full hearts....

Friday Night Lights

Since series leads Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton snuck into the Emmy derby last year, there is at least hope that the series itself could score a nomination this year. It might help that voters know that if they're ever going to acknowledge NBC/DirecTV's TCA Award-winning drama, this is their last chance. Clear eyes, full hearts....

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emmys2011_dramaseries_fringe_600 FringeThe Fox hit should be a contender, given that its worlds-rocking third season was its best-reviewed yet. But since the Emmys rarely recognize sci-fi series (The X-Files being a notable exception to the rule), the odds are probably against it.

Fringe

The Fox hit should be a contender, given that its worlds-rocking third season was its best-reviewed yet. But since the Emmys rarely recognize sci-fi series (The X-Files being a notable exception to the rule), the odds are probably against it.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_gameofthrones_600 Game of ThronesThe reviews for HBO’s medieval fantasy were fantastic; the ratings, not quite as good. So, as dazzling and densely plotted as the show is, it’s still a first-season wild card. Silver lining: This epic saga is sure to amass nods in Creative Arts categories such as Cinematography, Art Direction and Costumes.

Game of Thrones

The reviews for HBO's medieval fantasy were fantastic; the ratings, not quite as good. So, as dazzling and densely plotted as the show is, it's still a first-season wild card. Silver lining: This epic saga is sure to amass nods in Creative Arts categories such as Cinematography, Art Direction and Costumes.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_goodwife_600 The Good WifeHaving been nominated already for its excellent freshman season, the CBS hit is all but assured a second nod in 2011. Not only did the part-legal procedural/part-relationship drama maintain the quality that put it on the map, it may have even surpassed it.

The Good Wife

Having been nominated already for its excellent freshman season, the CBS hit is all but assured a second nod in 2011. Not only did the part-legal procedural/part-relationship drama maintain the quality that put it on the map, it may have even surpassed it.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_house2_600 HouseAfter being nominated for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row (without a win), the Fox hit was passed over for a nod in 2010. Were voters trying to send a message to the medical soap? Are its best days behind it?

House

After being nominated for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row (without a win), the Fox hit was passed over for a nod in 2010. Were voters trying to send a message to the medical soap? Are its best days behind it?

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emmys2011_dramaseries_justified_600 JustifiedAlthough this Western was denied an Outstanding Drama Series nomination last year, it did receive a prestigious Peabody Award. And, since its second season was just as strong as its first -- if not stronger -- it remains arguably FX’s best shot at a nod.

Justified

Although this Western was denied an Outstanding Drama Series nomination last year, it did receive a prestigious Peabody Award. And, since its second season was just as strong as its first — if not stronger — it remains arguably FX's best shot at a nod.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_killing_600 The KillingSince AMC’s Breaking Bad aired outside of the eligibility period this time around, the cable network could have been down an Outstanding Drama Series nomination… were it not for its dark new murder mystery. Besides further branding AMC as a source of top-tier programming, it created the most memorably grim atmosphere since Twin Peaks.

The Killing

Since AMC's Breaking Bad aired outside of the eligibility period this time around, the cable network could have been down an Outstanding Drama Series nomination… were it not for its dark new murder mystery. Besides further branding AMC as a source of top-tier programming, it created the most memorably grim atmosphere since Twin Peaks.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_madmen_600 Mad MenHaving won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series for the last three years in a row, AMC’s pitch-perfect period piece is a shoo-in to again find itself among the nominees. Question is, will creator Matthew Weiner’s very public contract negotiations impact the outcome of the 2011 race?

Mad Men

Having won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series for the last three years in a row, AMC's pitch-perfect period piece is a shoo-in to again find itself among the nominees. Question is, will creator Matthew Weiner's very public contract negotiations impact the outcome of the 2011 race?

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emmys2011_dramaseries_parenthood_600 ParenthoodThe NBC show maintained its quality control in Season 2, and heaven knows it fought the good fight against considerable top-shelf time-slot competition (The Good Wife and Southland included). But since it was snubbed last year (and inexplicably generates precious little buzz), it remains a dark horse candidate.

Parenthood

The NBC show maintained its quality control in Season 2, and heaven knows it fought the good fight against considerable top-shelf time-slot competition (The Good Wife and Southland included). But since it was snubbed last year (and inexplicably generates precious little buzz), it remains a dark horse candidate.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_shameless_600_2 ShamelessIt’s a crowded category, but Showtime’s dysfunctional family drama has going for it not only its status as a breakout hit but also a golden pedigree — executive producer John Wells has already won six Emmys (for his work on The West Wing and ER).

Shameless

It's a crowded category, but Showtime's dysfunctional family drama has going for it not only its status as a breakout hit but also a golden pedigree — executive producer John Wells has already won six Emmys (for his work on The West Wing and ER).

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emmys2011_dramaseries_sonsofanarchy_600 Sons of AnarchyAs popular as the FX series is, it’s never been nominated for an Emmy. So unless the cable network comes up with a new strategy to sell its biker-clan concept to voters, it may have to settle for Golden Globe winner Katey Sagal representing it among the individual acting contenders.

Sons of Anarchy

As popular as the FX series is, it's never been nominated for an Emmy. So unless the cable network comes up with a new strategy to sell its biker-clan concept to voters, it may have to settle for Golden Globe winner Katey Sagal representing it among the individual acting contenders.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_southland_600 SouthlandDumped by NBC, the police drama not only survived but thrived after being picked up by TNT. However, the basic cable network has yet to secure an Outstanding Drama Series nom for even The Closer, so it’s unlikely that this relative newcomer will find itself in contention.

Southland

Dumped by NBC, the police drama not only survived but thrived after being picked up by TNT. However, the basic cable network has yet to secure an Outstanding Drama Series nom for even The Closer, so it's unlikely that this relative newcomer will find itself in contention.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_spartacus_600_2 Spartacus: Gods of the ArenaAs brilliant as Starz’s gladiator drama was, it might have been a shrewder move to submit it in the Outstanding Miniseries or Movie category than for Drama Series. There, it would have been a shoo-in; here, merely a wild card.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

As brilliant as Starz's gladiator drama was, it might have been a shrewder move to submit it in the Outstanding Miniseries or Movie category than for Drama Series. There, it would have been a shoo-in; here, merely a wild card.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_trueblood_600 True BloodHBO’s supernatural serial was squeezed out of this year's crowded Golden Globes race, which doesn’t bode well for its chances at the Emmys. Its best hope may be that growing anticipation of its June 26 fourth season premiere will turn the tide.

True Blood

HBO's supernatural serial was squeezed out of this year's crowded Golden Globes race, which doesn't bode well for its chances at the Emmys. Its best hope may be that growing anticipation of its June 26 fourth season premiere will turn the tide.

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emmys2011_dramaseries_walkingdead_600 The Walking DeadA stunning debut season like this AMC thriller had should assure it a nomination. But the cable network is already a lock with Mad Men and The Killing. Could it really nab three slots — especially when the third would go to a series that wrings human drama out of zombies?

The Walking Dead

A stunning debut season like this AMC thriller had should assure it a nomination. But the cable network is already a lock with Mad Men and The Killing. Could it really nab three slots — especially when the third would go to a series that wrings human drama out of zombies?

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emmys2011_dramaseries_whitecollar_600 White CollarUSA Network is hoping to see this personality-plus procedural -- which remains the No. 1 scripted drama on cable with both adults 18-49 and 25-54, year to date -- some award-show recognition on par with its increasing, sexy buzz. But the TV Academy may be right to think that this hourlong (starring Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay in FBI/con man capers) belongs in a Drama-lite category.

White Collar

USA Network is hoping to see this personality-plus procedural — which remains the No. 1 scripted drama on cable with both adults 18-49 and 25-54, year to date — some award-show recognition on par with its increasing, sexy buzz. But the TV Academy may be right to think that this hourlong (starring Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay in FBI/con man capers) belongs in a Drama-lite category.

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