Yesterday, we launched our 2013 Emmy predictions with the Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series category. So if you missed Day One, well, you're only a day behind on our Emmy choices!
Today we're talking about the point people in our favorite drama series. The race for Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series is rich with talent, as per usual, but we think we can suss out the winners. And yes, we believe the Best Actress in a Drama will be a historic win. Check out our picks for who should win and who will probably win below:
Best Lead Actor, Drama
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Should Win: Cranston all the way. There is no one in the category who matches the work he's done on Breaking Bad in terms of developing a character's arc and walking the line between sympathetic and terrifying. And this is a group of extremely talented actors, so that's saying something. If you've never watched Breaking Bad but all you know about it is how good Cranston is as Walter White, trust us, the reviews do not do him justice. Just go see for yourself. Homeland's Damian Lewis is also a favorite of ours, and he should get a trophy for his performance in the "Q&A" episode. Can they split the win?
Will Win: Spacey was brilliant on season one of House of Cards, and his star power plus the buzz behind the Netflix series will give him the victory over three-time winner Cranston.
Best Lead Actress, Drama
Connie Britton, Nashville
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Should Win: While Claire Danes delivered yet another mesmerizing season of TV on Homeland (We can't even remember taking a breath during "Q&A") and Elisabeth Moss gave her best performance yet on Mad Men, we're going with Washington. She's got the buzz and the momentum heading into the big night, with the work to back it up. It's Olivia Pope's world and we're all just living in it.
Will Win: You may say that we're a dreamer, but we're truly convinced that Washington will take home the statue. Not only was Scandal the most-talked about TV show of the season, but Washington was everywhere and everyone was gushing over her. She's America's sweetheart as well as being ridiculously talented. Another reason we're so confident? Her costar Dan Bucatinsky won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Star in a Drama Series, proving Scandal isn't viewed by voters as a guilty pleasure. Plus, it's about damn time an African-American actress won Best Lead Actress, which has never happened in the Emmy's 85-year history.
Who do you think will win Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a drama series? Make your own picks in the comments!