Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

One week after the Supporting Actors, it's time for the ladies, and like the men this was a tough category to narrow down, at one point in the year I had 9 or 10 women vying for the topic six spots in this category.  These six women became the no brainers.  Not only are these some of the strongest women on television, but they provide some great layered female characters, which are hard to find!

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife 

Diane navigated the potential break up of her firm, the choice between career and love, and at the end of the day did so with poise.  While everyone loves Kahlinda Diane stole this season making her one of the most valuable pieces to The Good Wife family.  Watching her fight to keep her firm was like watching a parent fight for a child, Diane battled to keep the firm, and made sure that at the end of the day she and Will kept control of their baby.  Diane is the most underrated character on the show, and Baranski plays her like no one else could; she is strong, and one of the most commanding female performers on television.

Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan in Dexter 

Boom, you find out your brother is a serial killer, go!  Carpenter's acting skills have grown throughout the years, and while everyone has paid attention to Michael C. Hall they often have forgotton about Debra.  Watching Debra cope with finding out about the "dark passenger" was one of the most amazing story lines, and Carpenter gave incredible performances week after week.  I think the most heart breaking moment was within the last episode where (spoiler) she killed Laguerta instead of Dexter.  The ramifications of this act are going to be interesting but Carpenter proved that Deb, not Dexter was the most interesting character this season.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys "Khaleesi" Targaryen in Game of Thrones

Over the years Clarke has grown into her acting much in the same way Lena Headey grew into character in Thrones.  Khlaeesi is the "mother of the dragons"she is becoming a force to reckoned with, and the growth of her character has been chronicled well this season.  As Khaleesi grows Clarke's strong performance is something powerful, and that should be recognized.  In the past this story line, often was my least favorite, but as Clarke's determination and power grow her performance becomes 

impressive time and time again.  I love the way she not only commands her army, but the screen.

Anna Gunn as Skylar White in Breaking Bad 

Skylar may not have spoken much, her grief about the way she and Walt handled themselves and their fake business got the best of her.  I always hated this character, and to be honest I still do, but Skylar's portrayer Gunn has taken this once shrill character and made her layered, and given a new depth to her, which never existed.  Whether its watching her disgust for Walt, in a more subtle manner or empowering herself Skylar is a different women after a year (the time passed in the show).  Gunn has turned in the most spectacular performance this past season, namely because you can't imagine someone working through the complexity of a husband who makes and deals meth.

Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards

House of Cards who be nothing without the foil to Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), Ms. Zoe Barnes.  Zoe is young naive, driven, selfish, and I could use many more adjectives to describe this young woman.  At the beginning of Cards Zoe is ready to do and be anything in order to get ahead.  As the season passes by Zoe grows more and more hesitant about the path she has chosen, and the darkness within the political realm which has made into something she never expected.  There are times when you believe Zoe and Frank are cut from the same clothe, but in reality this character is the millenial opposite, biting off more than she can chew.  Mara is fantastic in this role.

Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman in Parenthood 

This was one of the most personal stories told on television this year.  My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I am glad that diagnosis came after watching Potter's Kristina Braverman go through the experience.  Kristina's cancer story line was one of the driving forces of this season of Parenthood, and one of the most believable journeys of a family to cope with disease.  Potter's performance throughout the season was both beautiful and heartbreaking, I may have cried several times.  Whether you were laughing with her when she got stoned, or crying as she went into septic shock Potter nailed every moment this season.  At the heart of things beyond this story line Kristina is a great mom in the show and together all of these things play out because of Potter.

Runners Up: Abigail Spencer-Rectify, Olivia Munn-The Newsroom, Morena Baccarin-Homeland

Performer to Watch: Kate Mara

After highlighting the great performance of Corey Stoll in the Netflix original series House of Cards, I do not know how I forgot to write about Kate Mara as well!  While Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are the veterans in the series these upstart performances almost outshine them, Spacey's performance is hard to outshine.  Let's talk about Ms. Mara, and give her, her due.

Kate Mara has had a long career of memorable guest roles in television series; she has had one shot roles in series like Everwood, Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit, Cold Case, and many more.  Mara has also had some lengthy story arcs in series like Nip/Tuck, Jack & Bobby, and 24.  Kate Mara's first and most memorable performance for me was in the first season of the "mini-series" American Horror Story.  Mara's performance in Horror Story as a student spurned is brilliant yet psychotic; she captures all the layers of a complicated role.  The performance in Horror Story was the perfect lead in to her portrayal as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards; she is manipulative, yet naive, strong yet vulnerable.  Mara is one of the perfect foils to Kevin Spacey's Frank Underwood.

Mara has turned in one of the most memorable performances in television this year, and I am intrigued to see where House of Cards falls with the Emmy's because she deserves a Supporting Actress nomination.  All these factors, and small film roles in 127 Hours should catapult her into some great film roles in the future.  Look for her to be in an independent theatre near you soon!

Tune In or Tune Out: House of Cards (Netflix)

House of Cards (Netflix)

Created by: Beau Willimon (Ides of March)

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Kate Mara

Do you have Netflix? If the answer is no, I am going to advise that within the next couple of months that you should invest in the watch instant feature.  Not only has Netflix been doing a good job getting more movies, and television series, but now they have their own television series, and its good!

House of Cards centers around the inner workings of politics in Washington DC and the election of a new President.  While the show focuses on many different political players in DC the show focuses House Majority Whip Francis Underwood played brilliantly by Kevin Spacey.  The shows other main player is a young upstart reporter Zoe barnes played incredible vitality by Kate Mara.  While Spacey is a house hold name as a two time Oscar winner Mara is a bit more unknown but her performance in the first American Horror Story series was brilliant.  Francis's wife Claire Underwood played by Robin Wright is another focal point of the show, and while her story was a bit dull the character is not, and Wright has this dark energy which she exudes in a commanding supporting role.

Together these power players along with the rest of the cast work together to create a show which centers on the intrigue within DC.  Francis was groomed to be the President elects Secretary of State but was passed over by the administration.  Francis teams up with Zoe, his wife, staffers, and other politicians to manipulate a situation that will enact a form of revenge that is almost Shakespearean.

Series creator Beau Willimon who wrote the electrifying film Ides of March teams up with genius director David Fincher for the first episode of this new series.  Willimon's script is excellent; he knows how to create connecting points, which will help develop characters while moving the show in an interesting direction. Fincher's direction is incredible, the man can almost do no wrong.  In this series he works well with the actors to create the edge of seat intensity. One of my favorite aspect of the script, and direction is the Spacey breaks the fourth wall talking to viewer.  Characters rarely break the fourth because it feels contrived or forced but within the context of this show, there is something devilishly fun about being led down the path with Francis.

For their first major television series Netflix has gambled a lot on this series, and it's paid off.  While the show may not be for everyone, mainly if you are not intrigued by politics, but the characters are fantastic, the writing is sharp, and the direction flawless.  Even only after one episode I am intrigued and will going back to finish all thirteen, which are available.  This is a brilliant show, and strategy.  I applaud the tenacity of Netflix, and the people involved with this show.

Verdict: Tune In!!