Dream Emmy Ballots: The Miniseries Edition
I watch way too many miniseries. This year’s competition is going to be very rough for me because I like too many of the potential candidates. Here’s how I would like the category to play out, but I doubt this will end up happening.:
Best Miniseries
Sherlock
Downton Abbey
Political Animals
Luther
All of these shows have compelling writing, directing, and acting. However, I believe this year is Sherlock’s year due to the increased attention industry critics and audiences alike have given the show. Downton Abbey has gained quite a bit of momentum too, but it is at a disadvantage because it won last year. Sherlock this season has tightened up it’s writing, directing, and acting. Although Political Animals is still relatively new, it has a factor going for it that the British shows don’t. 2012 is an presidential election year, and fictional politics becomes more popular as a result. The show is clearly USA Network’s attempt to break away from it’s traditional quirky character procedurals, and it’s already working. If the show can continue to balance successfully the soap opera elements with the more deep dramatic elements, it can do very well.
Best Actor In A Miniseries
Idris Elba- Luther
Hugh Bonneville- Downton Abbey
Benedict Cumberbatch- Sherlock
Cumberbatch’s ingenious portrayal of Sherlock Holmes is quite tough to compete with. Bonneville’s stoic Lord Grantham has a very good chance of winning as well. Elba is a bit more of a longshot.
Best Actress In A Miniseries
Michelle Dockery- Downton Abbey
Sigourney Weaver- Political Animals
Weaver’s portrayal of Elaine Barrish-Hammond challenges the traditional tropes of political dramas. She doesn’t “stand by her man” but chooses to pursue her own career ambitions. She is the center of attention on the show, and the audience can’t look away. Dockery’s portrayal of Mary Crawley has improved considerably this season, but she faces tough competition from her other co-stars.
Best Supporting Actor In A Miniseries
Martin Freeman- Sherlock
It’s extremely hard to pick supporting actors out of shows with many secondary and ensemble cast members. However, Freeman’s portrayal of John Watson had the unique ability to make us laugh and cry at the same time.
Best Supporting Actress In A Minseries
Lara Pulver- Sherlock
Maggie Smith- Downton Abbey
Ruth Wilson- Luther
Although all of these shows have extremely strong female secondary characters, Maggie Smith is on a level that very few people can top. Wilson’s character featured less prominently in this series of Luther, which puts her at a disadvantage. Pulver’s portrayal of Irene Adler was awesome but some might be quick to dismiss her character as nothing but a glorified sex object. This view of course prevents seeing the complexity of her character. I would need to see all of the minseries to figure out which supporting actress stands out the most on Political Animals.
I hope you liked my choices. I’ll be back soon with my own dream Emmy ballots for comedy and drama.
