Time to Catch Up with the BBC and BBC2

Disappointed with this season of Homeland? Feel like the drama on Once Upon a Time has become too convoluted forgetting their own set-ups? Is Grey's Anatomy one step away from Daytime soap territory?  One thing is for sure many of the new fall dramas are hitting it out of the park, especially Masters of Sex, The Blacklist, and Sleepy Hollow.

While these new shows are aces, there are a lot of shows on BBC, and BBC Canada, which have made there way to the States, and are stealing the thunder of American shows.  Many people know about Downton Abbey, and Sherlock because they air on PBS.  Both shows have become increasingly popular, and found their fan in the United Kingdom, and all over the world.  Downton mixes a study in understanding a different time period with all the classic elements of the modern drama.  Sherlock sets Holmes and Watson in the modern day, and with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman on the case you can't go wrong.  These two shows have hit the mainstream, but there a few others shows/mini-series, which you need to check out.

Continuum is a Canadian Sci-Fi series, is set in 2077, and the present day.  A cop is sent back in time to prevent an anarchist group from rising, and creating a future in which corporations run every aspect of society.  The show is two seasons in, and third is on the way.  The first two seasons of the show is on Netflix, and worth a watch, there is some great action, and the plot moves at a rapid pace.  Season twos cliff hanger was off the charts great.

Curious to see if Jaime Dornan can pull off the dark aspects of Christian Grey?  Watch The Fall a BBC Two series, and you will see just how great he is at playing complicated men.  Dornan plays a serial killer and Gillian Anderson from The X-Files fame plays a cop hot on his trail.  The Fall is an edge of your seat drama, with only five episodes this is a quick watch on Netflix, and the second series (season) is set to begin filming in early 2014.  Catch up now, and you will be ready to watch this cat and mouse game unfold.

Have you heard the name Tatiana Maslany? If no, you are behind the curve on this, and should tune into the first season Orphan Black another Canadian Sci-fi series about a series of women who are clones.  Maslany plays numerous different characters ranging from a soccer mom, to a scientist, and Ukrainian spy , to name a few.  Maslany is the heart of the show; she won several American critics awards, and the show itself is interesting taking down the concept of the advancing science/technology, and the scary hold it has on our lives.    Check out BBC America, if you have it, or look for season one online.  The show will be back for season two in 2014.

At the moment Top of the Lake is looking like a mini-series rather than a full out series from BBC2  and Jane Campion (The Piano).  I will be honest the pacing of the show is a bit slower than the normal procedural in the States, but this 6 episode mini-series starring Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), and Holly Hunter was a great character study in patriarchy and the role of having a female cop come in and work to find a missing 12 year old pregnant girl.  Set in New Zealand this show series was not only beautiful, but filled with great performances.  You can watch the series on Netflix.

I sound like I am doing a lot of advertising for Netflix, and the BBC, but the truth is that these shows are an excellent escape from the typical every drama in the States.  One of the interesting facts about all these successful series is that they center around strong women, something missing in dramas in the States, although this is getting better.  Check out this series, the Brits, Canadians, and Aussies may be on to something!

Emmy Week (2013) Who Should Have been Nominated?

Every year there are always some gasps about major snubs, and because the Emmy Awards split their categories between drama, and comedy, there are always one or two in each category that should have made the cut in each category, but did not.  Who should have made the cut?

Outstanding Drama Series 

The Good Wife 

The Good Wife was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for its first two years, but last year it was snubbed, and it became the first year no major broadcast nominees received a nomination.  Wife had a slow start, but built to a terrific finale, and had one of its strongest years creatively.

What would it have replaced, Downton Abbey.  Sorry friends, Downton is good, and addicting drama, but it is not one of the best shows on the air anymore.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Matthew Rhys-The Americans

While the show itself was not amazing, in my opinion the performances from Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell were out of this world.  Rhys who was great on Brothers & Sisters took things to a whole new level in this show.

Who would he have replaced-Hugh Bonneville-Downton Abbey-While Hugh had a great story line this past season with the death of his daughter and trouble with his marriage he could not hold a candle to the great performance of Rhys.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Tatiana Maslany-Orphan Black

Maslany is a multiple threat, and I mean that literally she plays so many roles on Orphan Black it is hard to keep track of the number.  Maslany is fantastic in all of these roles, and she carried this show on her back with her great performance.

Who would she have replaced-Connie Britton-Nashville-The Emmy Awards have a toner for Britton, and while she deserved her three previous nominations she should have sat this year out.  Nashville is fun, and Britton is great, but Maslany is just miles ahead.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (tie)

Sam Waterston-The Newsroom 

Love or hate the first season of The Newsroom, you can't deny that Charlie Skinner (Waterston) was the heart, which kept this show going.  Waterston is great in this role, and made you feel the passion this man has had for the news all these years.

Who would he have replaced?-Bobby Cannavale-Boardwalk Empire-Again Cannavale is a great actor, and I have admired his career trajectory, but this role was too over the top for me.  I think Waterston's under stated nature grounded his show.

 Corey Stoll-House of Cards

How can you nominate House of Cards for Best Drama, Best Actor, and give it 7 other nominations without a nomination for Corey Stoll.  Stoll was the heart of of this show, and his downward spiral within the DC world of political power was fascinating thanks in great part to this character actor.

Who would he have replaced?-Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad-I know this going to be unpopular, but Paul did not do much at all last season (I would nominate him next year).  In the first half of the last season Jesse Pinkman took a back seat to Mike, and just did not have as much to do; he was still great.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Monica Potter-Parenthood

Potter's cancer story line was one of the most heart wrenching things on television this past year; she was great, and I do not know if there was a moment where the actress did not sell every aspect of dealing with her disease.  What a beautiful performance.

Who would she have replaced-Christina Hendricks-Mad Men-Come on Matthew Weiner Joan is more than window dressing, and you gave her nothing to do this past season.  I get that the show centers around Don, but you lose other characters in the mix, and this year you did not do enough for the talented Ms. Hendricks.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Parks and Recreation

For some reason the Emmy Awards nominated this show one year, and has forgotten about it year after year.  This show continues to be the funniest show on the air, and the Emmy Awards for some reason have not gotten on board with this show.  Leslie Knope come on!

What would this show have replaced-30 Rock-While the show had a great last season, I think Parks never falters the way Rock did, and I would have rather seen the Emmy Awards stop trying to think their cool.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jake Johnson-New Girl

Nick Miller grew up a little bit, and his relationship with Jess last season was one of the biggest highlights of the season.  Aside from this relationship Nick developed even further, and this is in large part to Jake Johnson's performance.

Who would he have replaced-Matt LeBlanc-Episodes-Another talented actor who has grown, but this show has lost its flavor, and LeBlanc did not do enough to deserve a nomination this time around.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 

Zooey Deschanel-New Girl

How do you forget this quirky girl?  While the list of six nominees is great this year I can't help but think that without Deschanel there is something missing.  Jess's journey through love, and unemployment this year was touching, and hilarious.

Who would she have replaced-Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie-Falco is a great actress, and the show is solid, but she should have been bumped, because people are just simply voting for her as a name rather than on the talent.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series 

Simon Helberg-The Big Bang Theory

How do you ignore Howard ?  Hellberg and the writing have fleshed out this character brilliantly making him less one dimensional hornball and rather a great loving husband, and soon to be father this season.  I am excited to see how that plays out, but there are more men on this show than Parson.

Who would he have replaced-Any of the Modern Family men-Hard to pick, each the show is getting monotonous, and while its hilarious, and good still, they should not have three spots anymore, and its to go in the way of The West Wing, where they fade away slowly.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 

Jessica Walter-Arrested Development

Binge watching, and the Emmy Awards were not kind to Arrested Development, but Walter should have been nominated, her single episode was one of the best of the season; she is great and one of the best television characters of all time.  How and why did she miss out?

Who would she have replaced-Jane Lynch-Glee-Speaking of character fatigue, love Jane Lynch, but how do these voters see this character as anything but one note now.  Ryan Murphy is the only person to blame, because he had no structure to the progression of his character.  In fact I think he makes things up as he goes, but poor Jane Lynch should not be nominated this year.

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

I feel as though I say this every year (but I don't), the roles for women in television have only gotten better.  If you look at these six women, they represent a wide variety of women, and represent different character distinctions along with having their own journeys.  Some of these women are working mothers, bad ass CIA agents, spies for other governments, or fixers.  

Kerri Washington is the first lead African American actress to be a part of this category in all of the years I have watched dramas (or should be a part of this category.)  Washington's Olivia Pope is one of the few strong lead African American or black actresses to be a major lead on any television series cable, basic or pay.  This is odd considering the way television has grown, but I think this is a great advancement, and should be recognized.   Take note television it's time for more representation, and not just the supporting characters!

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland 

Danes performance was made fun of mercilessly by Ann Hathaway on SNL this past year.  While the dig was funny, I think one thing is true, Danes intensity has created on of the most fantastic characters on the air. Watching Carrie grapple with her suspension, and then get sucked right back into the CIA game.  There is no greater performance than watching her go after Brody, attack him using her more together prowess then interrogate him and use him as an agent of the agency.  The episode Q&A proves just how great Danes is within this role, and beyond the romantic connections, she plays every movement, tick, anxiety ridden instance with ease.

Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates in Bate's Motel

I have to say from the first time I saw previews of this show, and heard they were doing a modern take on Psycho, I was against it from the start.  I watched the show, and caught up on most of it, and while I still am not a fan, Farmiga makes me want to tune in, week after week.  Farmiga's dark motherly ways make this one twisted relationship, and give an interesting context to the Psycho story.  Was it needed, no, but Farmiga gives one of the best performances of the year, making a so-so show even better with her strong performance. While Highmoore is great as Norman, it's Farmiga and Norma who week after week make this show something of a great character study.

Julianna Marguiles as Alicia Florick in The Good Wife 

After four years not many characters stay relevant, or as fresh as when they started, but Alicia is one of those characters who continues to develop.  While Robert and Michelle King have a lot to do with that development, Alicia would be nothing without Marguiles.  Alicia fighting for partner, dealing with her mother, her growing children, her husband's gubernatorial election, betrayal of a new friend, her love for Will, and striking out on her own in a new firm with Carrie.  What a year!  Marguiles has created one of the most dynamic female characters in television history; she is so complex, and does a fantastic job with this role.  Marguiles is a pro, and she is fantastic as Alicia! 

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning (and many more) in Orphan Black

What can I say about this performance, that critics, bloggers have not said.  Maslany plays Sarah Manning and many girls who are said to be clones.  Maslany kicks ass, is a soccer mom, a cop, and many more roles; she is a true chameleon within each of these of these different roles, none of them feel the same, and that's an incredibly hard accomplishment to achieve.  While the show is solid it's Maslany's performance which keeps you hooked; she takes each of these roles with ease, and looks like is having a blast doing this.  I burned through an entire season of this show because I was enthralled by Maslany, and I can't wait to see what she does with this role, when the show returns.

Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in The Americans

Watching Russell play the other half of the married couple pretending to US citizens while really being Soviet Spies is impressive.  Russell is incredibly stoic, while being vulnerable as she deals with the trials and tribulations of finding the balance in being a mother and spy.  While Rhys has gotten more credit (I agree during the evolution of the show he is better), Russell battling the thought of her rape, and dealing with this as she approaches the man who took advantage of her was one of the most intense scenes.  Russell is dynamic in this role, proving she can stretch her acting muscle to newer levels.

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in Scandal

I know I may get shit for this one because of the "soapy" nature of this show, but Washington is a force to be reckoned with, and after a roller coaster year dealing with her married lover's assassination attempt (yea he is the President too), and being forced to admit her own fault in helping rig the election; she is was off the charts great.  Washington is no victim, and even though most of her emotional choices may be driven by her love for Fitz she is one strong woman, and fights back in some of the most realistic ways.  Washington's performance is real, and that's one of the major reasons people tune into this show week after week!

Runner Ups: Elisabeth Moss as Peggy in Mad Men, and Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher in Shameless

Performer to Watch: Tatiana Maslany

This week has been a great week for Tatiana Maslany (aside from making my blog).  Maslany won the Critics Choice Award (television) for Best Actress in a Drama series for the show Orphan Black; she was also nominated at the Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards for Best Drama Performance.

Before I jump into her most recent jump to stardom/recognition Maslany is no novice to working in television or film.  Maslany has worked steadily for the last 10 years, mostly in television on series like 2030 CE, The Redemption, Instant Star, Heartland, The Nativity and Alphas.  Maslany's most recognizable film role was a supporting role in The Vow (2012).

Before this week Maslany was mainly known to those watching her BBC show, I found the show a while ago thanks to Michael Ausiello who is as obsessed with her performance as I am.  Maslany takes on multiple characters, with many accents, is on the run, trying to fight for her daughter, play a cop, and so much more.  This is one of the most complex female roles I have seen on television, and it is sure to garner her a lot of attention.  I wish the stodgy Emmy Awards would recognize smaller shows like Orphan Black, and Maslany, but she will likely score a nomination at the Golden Globes this fall.

Maslany is name you will want to remember, and while she only has one film, filming now, entitled Cas and Dylan set for a release in the nearby future, there is going to be a second season of Orphan Black in 2014.  This small show is going to gain a lot of ground, look for the second season of Black to get better ratings, and make Maslany an even bigger house hold name.