It is almost here! Emmy nomination day is tomorrow (Thursday, July 13) and as has become tradition here is a rundown of who I would love to see getting recognized by the Television Academy.
Every year this wish list keeps on growing and of course there are some repeat names featured. Some previous staples are not featured due to missing the window of eligibility including last year’s Best Actress in a Drama winner, Tatiana Maslany. Maslany is crushing this final season of Orphan Black and while it is unlikely, hopefully memories will last that long so she is included next year.
As with the 2016 wish list, I have split this into drama, mini-series and comedy and includes a mix of locks, first timers and outside bets. In this time of Peak TV there is no time to watch everything so if your fave is not included this might be why.
Drama
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
Kicking off as I have done each of my previous wish lists with Americans leads Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. The big surprise of last year was not having to use the gif for when they didn’t nominated, as voters came on through by finally recognizing the incredible performances Russell and Rhys give on a weekly basis.
Season 5 of The Americans was more introspective as the action turned inward dealing with the toll of spy life and the things Rhys and Russell do with their faces when there is no/minimal dialogue constantly has me in awe. It wasn’t all doom and gloom for this pair of spies and a surprise wedding delivered a much needed romantic respite. Plus it is good to see a wedding with crowns that doesn’t end in murder. 
Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux (and the rest of The Leftovers cast)
As with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, the things Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux do with their face parts is astounding on every level. This final season of The Leftovers delivered the love story aspect I was hoping for and incredible performances we have come to expect from this exceptional cast. It is why this is the third year I have been hoping to see this show get recognized.
Carrie Coon gif at the ready for if/when it doesn’t.
Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley
Keeping with this theme of the best in face parts acting comes Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley in The Handmaid’s Tale. Both women crush it in their abilities to wear a mask and then revealing the real devastating emotion of the character. They are pretty much the reason why I sobbed my way through the finale.
Bonus shout out to Samira Wiley because season 4 of OITNB is the one that voters can nominate and she should def get one for once again turning me into a chin quiver wreck. Also her smile lights up the screen like no other.
Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones
A lot of TV makes me cry as you can tell from the previous entry, but I’m pretty sure that This is Us wins the prize for episode that made me ugly cry the most. Taking a break from the Pearson family drama to go on a road trip with Randall and his dying father William; “Memphis” showcases the talents of both Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones. 
Christine Baranski
After the disappointing end of The Good Wife I wasn’t sure if I wanted more from this world. And then I remembered how much I love Diane Lockhart and how much fun this show could be without the Alicia baggage (looking at you Peter). And it is fun! Christine Baranski steps into the lead position and of course she is as amazing as Diane’s collection of fancy blazers and statement necklaces. 
Claire Foy and Jared Harris
The Crown gives great Royal family dramz and even though Liz has to maintain a sense of decorum, it is very fun seeing throw stuff at husband when he is being terrible (my alt name for this show is Shut Up, Philip). Foy is great at both aspects and I’m throwing in Jared Harris into the nomination wish list hat for his impact in such a small amount of screen time. And yes he made me sob, which is maybe a prerequisite for a lot of this wish list.
Mini-Series
Big Little Lies Cast – Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz and Reese Witherspoon
Months after and I am still thinking about Big Little Lies and I would love to see these women dominate the mini-series acting categories.
The scene at the top of the stairs in the finale is another great example of communicating with no words and the bonus Audrey Hepburn getup factor adds something to this scene. Also got to give them props for all the delicious gifs they have given us. Reactions for all scenarios.
BTW – I swear I am not basing this list on how much I use a gif from something, but if I did BLL would win every category. Even ones they can’t be nominated in.
Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange gets the showier part of the two in Feud and considering a lot of time is dedicated to whether Bette or Joan has the best material; it feels kinda meta talking about these performances in this way. Best dramatic use of a cigarette and sunglasses definitely goes to Susan Sarandon though. 
Carrie Coon and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Season 3 of Fargo didn’t really come together until the last few episodes, but Carrie Coon had a great standout moment early in the season when she traveled to California as part of the investigation. She really does give fabulous hotel/motel staying.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead got to show off her survival skills once again (see both BrainDead and 10 Cloverfield Lane for more) and if it wasn’t for these two women I would’ve probably quit this season early on.
Comedy
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
One thread running through most of this comedy acting wish list is that the star(s) of the show is also the creator. This adds a personal element to the material, which I guess I am drawn to.
First up Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Fleabag, which delivered on smut, laughs, great lipstick and yep, you guessed it, tears. I am nothing if not consistent. 
Donald Glover and Zazie Beetz
Atlanta is like nothing else on TV right now and one example of this is the relationship between Earn and Van. Exes who go out for dinner – in an episode which showed just how difficult dinner out can be on a budget – sleep over and are raising a daughter together. The spotlight shines on Zazie Beetz in one of the episodes of this very good season; focusing on Van, her career and a drug test mishap. 
Issa Rae
Like I said, it is a really great year for the multi-hyphenates and Issa Rae’s Insecure is another strong example of this trend. Also giving another different perspective on relationships and the fuck ups we make along the way and Rae shines in the friendship aspects (even when they’re in a fight), career struggles and why a couch is sometimes much more than somewhere to sit and watch TV.
Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe
It might be because I have friends who are in Italy right now so Instagram is awash with great food and architecture pics or that season 2 of Master of None started here, but all I want to do is go to Italy and eat pasta right now.
Season 2 had Aziz Ansari mixing things up including a stellar episode about modern dating and the Thanksgiving spectacular that dealt with Denise’s coming out story based on Lena Waithe’s experiences.
One other standout moment was a scene in “The Dinner Party” that played to the entirety of Marc Almond’s “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” with Dev sitting in the back of the car. It was mesmerizing in ways I didn’t expect. 
Rachel Bloom
Songs of a different kind and I can’t tell you how often I get “Period Sex” stuck in my head.
Rachel Bloom once again gifts us with so many great tracks including “The Math of Love Triangles,” “So Maternal,” “We Tapped That Ass,” “Remember That We Suffered,” “It Was a Shit Show” and “Friendtopia.” And this season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend shattered the love triangle (miss you, Greg), explored love, friendships and took a deeper dive into Rebecca’s past. 
Lena Dunham and Matthew Rhys
This season of Girls was definitely the strongest for Lena Dunham from an acting perspective with the scene between Hannah and Adam in the diner as the standout moment. Again everything that had to be said was done with a look and it was subtly moving.
The two-hander with Matthew Rhys was another highlight and the wolfish grin Rhys gives towards the episode after the incident is wonderfully terrifying. It would be great to see Rhys and Carrie Coon getting double nominations.
Gina Rodriguez
Yeah I’m gonna talk about crying again and Jane the Virgin has always caused some waterworks on my end. Season 3 took it to new levels and Gina Rodriguez’s reactions to THAT phone call was especially devastating. But the show didn’t wallow in misery and it was good to see Rodriguez getting to play many different things with Jane this season. 
DeRon Horton
While “Chapter V” (directed by Barry Jenkins) is the Dear White People episode standout, it is DeRon Horton as Lionel who gives the performance of the season. Lionel is super shy and trying to fit in; both things we have seen many times, but he is also coming to terms with his sexuality (including being attracted to his roommate) and he doesn’t feel like a character we have seen on TV before. This is important and Horton’s gives a nuanced take of a young black gay man. 
Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney
The messiness of Sharon and Rob’s relationship hits new heights in season 3 as they keep secrets from the other, giving both Horgan and Delaney new levels to play with. Yes this is another series that had me sobbing and laughing. Kleenex should probs sponsor this blog.
