Dream Emmy Ballot 2015: Outstanding Drama Series & Comedy Series

Outstanding Drama Series

The Americans (F/X)

Empire (FOX)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

The Good Wife (CBS)

Mad Men (AMC)

Orange is the New Black (Netflix)

Transparent (Amazon)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Broad City (Comedy Central)


The Comeback (HBO)

Getting On (HBO)

Jane the Virgin (CW)

Looking (HBO) 

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

Dream Emmy Ballot 2015: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter in Marvel's Agent Carter

The more I think about this character, the more I respect the performance from Atwell in Agent Carter.  Peggy Carter's character was further developed from the original Captain America film in the perfect way.  Atwell not only proved she was a bad ass agent, and super hero in her own right, but that she could tackle the gender dynamics of her time without letting it knock her down.  Watching Peggy finally let go of the memory of Steve was also touching, you got to to see this woman navigate every aspect of herself, which is rare in the comic book world.  Atwell's performance is a strong reminder Marvel needs to let more women take charge in their material.

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating in How to get Away with Murder

If you think you knew everything before or about Annalise you were wrong.  Davis is bombastic as this attorney who is navigating a troubled marriage on top of her stakes career. Sounds like silly concept, and in the wrong hands Annalise and this show could have been just another run of the mill procedural with a through line, but Davis is fantastic in this role; she yells, cries, but you also find that she is not one note, and its Davis' performance that give her the dimension she needs.

Eva Green as Vanessa Ives in Penny Dreadful

I just finished season one of Penny Dreadful in one week, and that's because Eva Green.  While I liked season one, Vanessa Ives is the reason to love this show.  The show is at times an over the top exploration of characters from literature in navigating "reality." Watching Green as she is possesed by the devil was impressive, there was no pea soup, but Green is haunting in these moments; she truly frightens you under your covers at times.  Outside of these moments you get to see her back story with her friend Mina, and her falling in love with Dorian Grey.  These moments create balanced well formed character and Green is a phenomenal in this role.

Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyons in Empire

Can a character be deemed iconic after just one season of television?  Henson has certainly created one of the most memorable women in dramatic television in recent years.  Cookie is trying to make up for time behind bars with her children and with her ex-husband's record label.  The thing I appreciate most about this character is the way Henson owns every aspect; she is funny, dynamic, a mother, a fighter, and someone who will own your ass in a second.  Like with Davis Henson turns a character who could be considered campy into a fully fleshed out person; she is not just throwing a drink in someone's face, but she is protecting her family, and Henson sells every moment.  Cookie Lyons is the character creators dream about, but it's Henson's performance that makes her iconic,

Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in The Americans 

In the first two season's I would argue that the that Rhys stole the show, but in the third season it was Russell who knocked everyone out, sometimes literally.  I have always enjoyed the dynamic between Elizabeth and her daughter Paige, one of the most interesting mother daughter relationships in television history.  This season Paige traveling with Elizabeth to the Soviet Union so Elizabeth could bid adieu to her mother gave even more context to their relationship, and provided some amazing scenes for Russell. Russell navigating their outing as Soviet spies to Paige also provided numerous excellent moments where Russell proved why she is one of the strongest actresses on television today.  Russell was the best part of this season.

Ruth Wilson as Alison Lockhart in The Affair

I always had an idea what was going on in Noah's head, he was more obvious in his actions.  I could not say the same thing about Alison.  Wilson did a fantastic job navigating her crumbling marriage, and the loss of her son.  Many of those moments were heartbreaking.  Watching Alison navigate her tempestuous relationship with her mother, and her affair with Noah showed there were more layers to this character, and things which did not reach the surface.  Wilson is a terrific actress, and its no surprise she won the Golden Globe for this role; she is raw so emotional, but so guarded in her portrayal of this broken woman, you get lost in her character.

Dream Emmy Ballot 2015: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

John Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men 

Don Draper's final days felt like an escape from the normal; he left his job, and tried to find his true self.  In the final episode Person to Person you see Don break down as he sit through a group therapy session, and watch him become more vulnerable than he has ever been.  Hamm has always been iconic in this role, but in this final season you get to see him open up, breathe, and fully understand himself and the connections to others.

Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill in Better Call Saul 

I was not sure what to expect from this prequel to Breaking Bad. Would this be a carbon copy, or wear its own skin in developing this central character?  The first episodes explored Jimmy McGill not Saul Goodman, and while these are the same man, divided by a name, this show explores more of Jimmy, and how he gets to become Saul.  Odenkirk is known for his comedic chops, which he gets to flex at times, but there is something special about the layers and depth he adds to this man, and its a wonderful performance.

Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in The Americans 

Rhys is steadfast, and one of the most consistant actors, who should have three nominations (including this one) in this category.  Rhys best moments were when he was working to help protect his cover with Martha, and also trying to protect Paige from knowing about his secret life.  As Rhys lies unraveled with both women there was an heir of vulnerability that always shines through with Phillip, but Rhys took this performance to a new level this year; he remains one of the best actors on television.

Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman in Transparent

I am not sure what words be suffice enough to describe Tambor's brave performance as Maura Pfefferman.  Watching Maura navigate her experiences of coming out to her family, exploring her Trans identity in secret, and feeling as though she belongs is beyond impeccably acted.  Jeffrey Tambor like Odenkirk has always been known for his overt comedic timing, but this performance show Tambor has the ability to transform and take on any role; he is a brilliant actor, 

Aden Young as Daniel Young in Rectify 

Playing Daniel Young has to be an emotionally draining experience.  No show explores the repercussions or after math of the criminal justice system, and how it not only impacts the person convicted, but the family involved.  Young is a revelation in this role, there is not much yelling but a quiet brilliance as he continues to explore the society he has missed, and tries to connect with his family.  Daniel's arc of finding out about his rape in prison in episode one to owning what he did to Teddy was well acted, and its why he carries this show.

Dominic West as Noah Solloway in The Affair 

From Noah's perspective, he is a man following the intrigue, caught up in passion, falling in love.  Is that who Noah is, or is he lascivious, selfish, and someone who can't come to grips with himself.  I like getting to explore this man through his own eyes, and the eyes of others, it provides multiple lenses, and context for this man.  West is great in this role, he makes a man who should be unlikable, seem human, and gives you a great understanding of what you might have missed.

Dream Emmy Ballot 2015: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Ilana Glazer as Ilana Wexler in Broad City  Ilana Glazer plays the more overtly funny of this comedic duo; she is the woman who usurps people working to make her more money at her job while she sits back and does nothing.  Ilana is the person who goes on the hunt with her mother for fake hand bags, and gets a bag over her head; she is also the person who Skypes her best friend while she is having sex because her FOMO is off the charts.  Glazer is fantastic in this role, and trying to pin point one episode is impossible; she is simple one of the funniest women on television.

Abbi Jacobson as Abbi Abrams in Broad City

Abbi Jacobson is the straight woman in the duo, but boy do her facial expressions sell every awkward moment she encounters.  Whether she was tackling her first class as a trainer because she saw her boss do solo porn, or having her play off Kelly Ripa getting drunk and throwing things out her window.  Jacobson has tons of talent, and I would argue is under appreciated in this role.  My favorite Abbi moment is her drunken cabaret performance, or as her drunker alter ego Val, a la a Judy Garland.  Jacobson is a true comedic genius.

Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt  No one could play Kimmy the way Ellie Kemper plays this character.Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  Kemper is fantastic as the women trapped into the world of a cult for many years who is trying to navigate her return to the world.  No actress has the can play up the growth from child like innocence to further developing this stronger sense of self like Kemper.  I have not enjoyed a new character in this way since Amy Poehler took on the role of Leslie Knope, Kemper is fantastic.

Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish in The Comeback

Just watch "Valerie gets What she really Wants" and you understand why Kudrow deserves an Emmy nomination.  Kudrow is fantastic in this role, and the evolution of this character this season was nothing short of genius.  In the last episode you get the best of the funny, and the most depth from Valerie.  Kudrow has put her all into this character, and this season proves Valerie Cherish is one of the most important television characters of all time, and namely because of Kudrow.

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation

Poehler has created one of the most iconic television characters of all time, and in her final go around as Leslie Knope she gave viewers everything they wanted.  Poehler's best performance this season was easily "Leslie and Ron" and episode where her feud with Nick Offerman's Ron came to a head and they were locked in a room together to figure out their beef.  Poehler hit it it out of the park in this episode, she made you laugh and cry as these two different people were trapped together in one office.   Leslie Knope was a magical character that injected positivty in every breath she took, and I can only hope that she went on to be President.  

Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva in Jane the Virgin

Gina Rodriguez is the new kid on the block, not to be confused with the boy band, of course.  My first encounter with Rodriguez was as Rita, Penny's assistant in the now cancelled Happy Endings, after that episode I knew she was bound for more things; she was just too damn funny.  Rodriguez gets to flex every muscle in Jane the Virgin.  The telenovela style shows off her humor when she has different versions of herself weighing in on a decision about confronting an old bully or dealing with an issue at work.  Rodriguez also has some serious dramatic chops, especially when it comes to the importance of her family, her battle for love, and her child.  Rodriguez may be new to the game, but she acts like a pro, and is easily the breakout star of this television season.

Runner Ups: Tracee Eliss Ross as Rainbow Johnson in Black-ish, and Constance Wu as Jessica Huang in Fresh off the Boat 

Dream Emmy Ballot 2015: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut in Better Call Saul 



For the first episodes of Better Call Saul, I thought the inclusion of Mike was going to be more  gimmick than anything else.  In the fifth episode this changed, and not only did we get the strongest episode of the season, but we also got to find out more about Mike's relationship with his son, and the way his son's death played out.  Banks Mike was one of my favorite characters in Breaking Bad, and in the first part of the last season we started to get more from him, but the episode Five-0, in Saul was a tour de force that was rivaled by few this year.

Matt Czuchry as Cary Agos in The Good Wife

While Cary disappeared a bit in the second half of the sixth season of The Good Wife, his battle to prove his innosence for drug charges was one of the most compelling stories the show has tackled.  In the first few episodes of the season watching Cary get arrested, navigate prison, and go from thriving pretty boy lawyer to gaunt prisoner was rough to watch, namely because Czuchry was finally given material to sink his teeth into, and he succeeded beautifully; he is one talented guy.

Vincent D’ Onofrio as Wilson Fisk aka the Kingpin in Daredevil


Take note Vince Vaughn, this is how you play a brooding megalomaniac.  In the comic book world, Kingpin has always been rather one note, he is often rich, and bad, but in this adaptation we get new layers to the character, back story on what made him bad, and sent him on a similar course of the titular Daredevil.  D’ Onofrio tackles Fisk's need/want to right by New York City, in the only way he sees fit, through control.  D’Onofrio is brilliant in this role, and gives this once one note character layers needed to make his story plausible.

Christopher Eccleston as Reverend Matt Jamison in The Leftovers



The is obviously a strong spiritual tone to the Leftovers, something which can't be ignored.  In the third episode of The Leftovers, the focus is solely on Reverend Matt who is trying to save his church from foreclosure, in order to save his church he goes to gamble, and wins the money, but is knocked out and misses the deadline.  The journey the Reverend faces is a test, and Eccleston passes with flying colors.  This is one of the strongest episodes the show put forth, and his journey to try and save his Church and fight for the living is a strident test of his faith.  Eccelston is amazing here.

Joshua Jackson as Cole Lockhart in The Affair



Jackson is easily the most under rated of the cast of the television series, The Affair.  Watch Cole through the eyes of his wife, and her love was interesting, and you Jackson tackled each perspective with range and depth.  Cole could have been a one note asshole, but Jackson gives this man range.  Cole is struggling to keep his once prosperous family a float, and trying to save his marriage after the death his son.  Jackson is heartbreaking, and does excellent work with this role.

Ben Mendolsohn as Danny Rayburn in Bloodline

Danny was the screw up of the Rayburn family, but Mendolsohn was the standout of this show bogged down by overwrought material.  While most of the performances in this show were good, it was Mendolsohn who gives the stand out performance in this ensemble; he does his best to be everything he can for his family, but ends up being a perpetual burden.  Mendolsohn excels in this role, and pulls off one of the best supporting performances of the year.