Emmys: 20 Stars and Shows Overdue for a Nomination
Yahoo TV
Updated
Gillian Anderson, 'The Fall'
1 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Yes, we're only two seasons into the BBC/Netflix murder mystery, but both Anderson's character Stella Gibson — and the actress's riveting, subversive portrayal of her — are revolutionary. Detective Gibson is so unapologetically feminist, unapologetically promiscuous, and unapologetically better than everyone else on the Northern Ireland Police force that she inspires celebratory fan tributes with titles like "Stella Gibson being a boss."
WHY IT'S TIME: Because next year we'll be lobbying voters to nominate Anderson for 'The X-Files' reboot. —Kristen Baldwin
WHY IT'S TIME: Because next year we'll be lobbying voters to nominate Anderson for 'The X-Files' reboot. —Kristen Baldwin
'The Bachelor'
2 of 20
WHY IT'S OVERDUE: Many have tried (and all have failed) to replicate the boy-meets-25-girls formula that has kept 'The Bachelor' on the air for 13 years and counting. (Remember 'Ready for Love'? 'Average Joe'? 'Age of Love'? 'Momma's Boys'? Nope, we don't either.) And yet still no nomination for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program? That is the most shocking snub…ever.
WHY IT'S TIME: Check Twitter any Monday night between January and March, and you'll see the depth of America's obsession. And there's no longer any guilty-pleasure shame in proclaiming your 'Bachelor' fandom: Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted an episode of 'The Bachelor'; Amy Schumer appeared on this season of 'The Bachelorette,' and stars like Sean Penn, Jennifer Aniston, and Andrew Garfield have admitted to being members of Bachelor Nation. —K.B.
WHY IT'S TIME: Check Twitter any Monday night between January and March, and you'll see the depth of America's obsession. And there's no longer any guilty-pleasure shame in proclaiming your 'Bachelor' fandom: Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted an episode of 'The Bachelor'; Amy Schumer appeared on this season of 'The Bachelorette,' and stars like Sean Penn, Jennifer Aniston, and Andrew Garfield have admitted to being members of Bachelor Nation. —K.B.
'Broad City'
3 of 20
WHY IT'S OVERDUE: It airs on Comedy Central, and admittedly appeals to a younger, more stoned demographic than most Emmy fare.
WHY IT'S TIME: It blossomed into TV's most riotously funny show in Season 2, with keen insights into the ups and downs of twentysomething life and a slew of big-name guest stars (Seth Rogen! Kelly Ripa!). We realize a comedy-series nod is a longshot, but we'd love to see stars ILANA GLAZER and ABBI JACOBSON get a nomination for acting and/or writing. That kind of recognition would go a long way towards putting 'Broad City' up there in voters' minds with Emmy mainstays like 'Louie' and 'Girls' — where it belongs. —Dave Nemetz
WHY IT'S TIME: It blossomed into TV's most riotously funny show in Season 2, with keen insights into the ups and downs of twentysomething life and a slew of big-name guest stars (Seth Rogen! Kelly Ripa!). We realize a comedy-series nod is a longshot, but we'd love to see stars ILANA GLAZER and ABBI JACOBSON get a nomination for acting and/or writing. That kind of recognition would go a long way towards putting 'Broad City' up there in voters' minds with Emmy mainstays like 'Louie' and 'Girls' — where it belongs. —Dave Nemetz
Olivia Colman, 'Broadchurch'
4 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: She and her wobbly bottom lip won a BAFTA Award for Season 1 of the riveting British whodunit co-starring David Tennant. Although it also aired on BBC America, it wasn't eligible for the Emmys last year.
WHY IT'S TIME: Season 2 was a BBC America co-production, which means Colman can now enter the Lead Actress in a Drama race. You'd think nothing could match her gut-wrenching reaction in the Season 1 finale scenes in which her DS Ellie Miller learned that her husband had killed 11-year-old Danny Latimer and then confronted him, but Season 2 deepened her character and gave her the opportunity to show a more subtle range of emotion: crying exquisite tears at her therapist's office, simmering while testifying at her husband's trial, avoiding hugs from Tennant's DI Alec Hardy, and making the most charming guilty face when she admitted that she'd left nothing in his kitchen for breakfast. —Mandi Bierly
WHY IT'S TIME: Season 2 was a BBC America co-production, which means Colman can now enter the Lead Actress in a Drama race. You'd think nothing could match her gut-wrenching reaction in the Season 1 finale scenes in which her DS Ellie Miller learned that her husband had killed 11-year-old Danny Latimer and then confronted him, but Season 2 deepened her character and gave her the opportunity to show a more subtle range of emotion: crying exquisite tears at her therapist's office, simmering while testifying at her husband's trial, avoiding hugs from Tennant's DI Alec Hardy, and making the most charming guilty face when she admitted that she'd left nothing in his kitchen for breakfast. —Mandi Bierly
Terry Crews, 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'
5 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: The former football player has become a reliable scene-stealer since his breakout role on the late, great sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris.' Even amongst 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'’s heavy-hitting line-up of comic actors, Crews always stands out — and not just because of his size.
WHY IT'S TIME: The 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' writers continued to deepen Crews’s character — who, appropriately enough, is also named Terry — this season as he prepares to add another child to his already large family. That “family man” aspect of the role lines up with the actor’s own life. “I told them how I enjoyed driving a minivan, that it was the perfect car for a family — they put that in the show,” Crews told 'Rolling Stone' last year. “'Brooklyn' is the first show that gets me. What usually happens if you're a big black dude is that you get big black jokes.” —Ethan Alter
WHY IT'S TIME: The 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' writers continued to deepen Crews’s character — who, appropriately enough, is also named Terry — this season as he prepares to add another child to his already large family. That “family man” aspect of the role lines up with the actor’s own life. “I told them how I enjoyed driving a minivan, that it was the perfect car for a family — they put that in the show,” Crews told 'Rolling Stone' last year. “'Brooklyn' is the first show that gets me. What usually happens if you're a big black dude is that you get big black jokes.” —Ethan Alter
Freddie Highmore, 'Bates Motel'
6 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: Maybe it’s that some Emmy voters haven’t taken the A&E drama seriously, or maybe it’s that Highmore and the rest of the stellar cast have been largely overshadowed by Vera Farmiga’s powerhouse (and Emmy-nominated) performance, and the Academy doesn’t deem it necessary to spend lead actress and lead actor nods on the show?
WHY IT'S TIME: Because 'Bates,' like 'The Americans,' earned a spot on that very short list of series that have only gotten better with each season. So, like 'The Americans,' 'Bates Motel’'s third season was its best yet — and it’s not a coincidence that happened as Highmore really began to emerge the Norman Bates we know from the 'Psycho' movies. Increasingly paranoid, creepy, and experiencing the breakdowns that detach him from reality, Highmore’s Norman even made the crucial 'Psycho'/psycho step of beginning to parrot his Mother’s behavior, a sign of the actor’s range and of the delicious, but heartbreaking drama that awaits fans as Norman continues his downward spiral. —Kimberly Potts
WHY IT'S TIME: Because 'Bates,' like 'The Americans,' earned a spot on that very short list of series that have only gotten better with each season. So, like 'The Americans,' 'Bates Motel’'s third season was its best yet — and it’s not a coincidence that happened as Highmore really began to emerge the Norman Bates we know from the 'Psycho' movies. Increasingly paranoid, creepy, and experiencing the breakdowns that detach him from reality, Highmore’s Norman even made the crucial 'Psycho'/psycho step of beginning to parrot his Mother’s behavior, a sign of the actor’s range and of the delicious, but heartbreaking drama that awaits fans as Norman continues his downward spiral. —Kimberly Potts
'Justified'
7 of 20
WHY IT'S OVERDUE: Over the course of its six-season run, 'Justified' has won a Peabody Award and been named one of AFI's TV Programs of the Year, but its unique blend of Kentucky-bred swagger, Elmore Leonard wit, and Tarantino homages never cracked the Emmys' OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES category — nor has it scored FX's coolest drama a nod for its WRITING, which is revered by more than just the lucky guest actors it lured year after year.
WHY IT'S TIME: The outpouring of appreciation from critics before the April series finale (and a subsequent Critics' Choice Television Award nom for Best Drama Series) was a nice sendoff, but that elusive Emmy nod would be the most gratifying exit for a show that came full circle in its satisfying farewell by putting Ava (JOELLE CARTER) between her former lovers, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (TIMOTHY OLYPHANT) and the crime king of the holler, Boyd Crowder (WALTON GOGGINS). And speaking of overdue, Olyphant and Goggins — whose poetic final scene together befitted roles that made Yahoo TV's list of the 99 greatest TV characters since Tony Soprano — haven't been nominated for an Emmy since Season 2. And Carter, who's never been recognized, saved the best for last. —M.B.
WHY IT'S TIME: The outpouring of appreciation from critics before the April series finale (and a subsequent Critics' Choice Television Award nom for Best Drama Series) was a nice sendoff, but that elusive Emmy nod would be the most gratifying exit for a show that came full circle in its satisfying farewell by putting Ava (JOELLE CARTER) between her former lovers, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (TIMOTHY OLYPHANT) and the crime king of the holler, Boyd Crowder (WALTON GOGGINS). And speaking of overdue, Olyphant and Goggins — whose poetic final scene together befitted roles that made Yahoo TV's list of the 99 greatest TV characters since Tony Soprano — haven't been nominated for an Emmy since Season 2. And Carter, who's never been recognized, saved the best for last. —M.B.
Mindy Kaling, 'The Mindy Project'
8 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Kaling has previously been nominated as a writer for her work on 'The Office,' but she’s never gotten her due as an actress. On her eponymous sitcom, which is making the leap from terrestrial television (Fox) to a streaming service (Hulu) next season, she consistently displays crack comic timing and emotional heft.
WHY IT'S TIME: 'The Mindy Project' has been a work in progress since its debut three seasons ago, with characters coming and going while Kaling and the writers searched for the right dynamic between the star and her supporting cast. Pairing her up full-time with Chris Messina’s Danny gave her a regular foil to play off of and revealed new sides to her character’s personality as well. “I love to be able to show a little bit of range,” Kaling told 'USA Today' in March. “I love Mindy's selfish, funny ways, but [it’s also] really nice for me to be able to show her really want something and be really vulnerable." —E.A.
WHY IT'S TIME: 'The Mindy Project' has been a work in progress since its debut three seasons ago, with characters coming and going while Kaling and the writers searched for the right dynamic between the star and her supporting cast. Pairing her up full-time with Chris Messina’s Danny gave her a regular foil to play off of and revealed new sides to her character’s personality as well. “I love to be able to show a little bit of range,” Kaling told 'USA Today' in March. “I love Mindy's selfish, funny ways, but [it’s also] really nice for me to be able to show her really want something and be really vulnerable." —E.A.
Joel Kinnaman, 'The Killing'
9 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: After 'The Killing' didn't solve the Rosie Larsen murder in Season 1, that's pretty much all the show became known for — which is highly unfortunate, given that both Kinnaman and his co-star Mireille Enos turned in exceptional performances for another 31 episodes. Detective Holder — an ex-tweaker with the heart of a philosopher and the vocab of a white-boy rapper — could have been merely comic relief, but in Kinnaman's hands he was a complicated, deeply sympathetic underdog who broke our hearts as often as he made us laugh.
WHY IT'S TIME: Because the show's over! Voters, you have one last chance to make this right. —K.B.
WHY IT'S TIME: Because the show's over! Voters, you have one last chance to make this right. —K.B.
Tatiana Maslany, 'Orphan Black'
10 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Um, have you seen 'Orphan Black'? Or have you at least heard of it? If you had, you wouldn't be asking why she's overdue.
WHY IT'S TIME: Because it's Season 3, which means Emmy voters have had more than enough time to discover the joys of Maslany's kaleidoscopic performance as a half-dozen clones on BBC America's sci-fi hit. If that wasn't enough, she even added another clone this season in ditzy blonde Krystal — and she's amazing, too! Let's just end this national disgrace already and give Maslany the Emmy nomination she's richly deserved for years now… before someone gets a pencil in the eye. —D.N.
WHY IT'S TIME: Because it's Season 3, which means Emmy voters have had more than enough time to discover the joys of Maslany's kaleidoscopic performance as a half-dozen clones on BBC America's sci-fi hit. If that wasn't enough, she even added another clone this season in ditzy blonde Krystal — and she's amazing, too! Let's just end this national disgrace already and give Maslany the Emmy nomination she's richly deserved for years now… before someone gets a pencil in the eye. —D.N.
Melissa McBride, 'The Walking Dead'
11 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: C’mon, Emmy people, get over your aversion to genre shows, especially since 'The Walking Dead' is so much more than that. The series’ wonderfully-unfolded character stories for the past two seasons have rivaled similar tales on any other show. That they mix that writing and those performances with the kinds of comic book-inspired stories that have viewers tuning in — in numbers that match and often surpass network series — means it’s time to view the show as the serious awards contender it should be.
WHY IT'S TIME: Even if the zombie blood and guts are too gory for your taste, Melissa McBride’s turn as battered wife-turned-fierce heroine Carol is the epitome of what an Emmy-caliber supporting actress performance should be. Carol has emerged as a leader, for her willingness to make difficult decisions on the group’s behalf, and for her bravery in stepping up to do anything her friends need to help keep them safe and together. Plot and carry out a near solo mission to save the gang from the cannibals at Terminus? Check. Tend to her grieving BFF (and more?) Daryl? Check. Don a floral cardigan, tuck away her brass knuckles, and pretend to be an apocalyptic Stepford wife to help her crew infiltrate the Alexandria community? Check, thanks to McBride’s ability to pull off scenes with heart, emotion, action, and humor. — K.P.
WHY IT'S TIME: Even if the zombie blood and guts are too gory for your taste, Melissa McBride’s turn as battered wife-turned-fierce heroine Carol is the epitome of what an Emmy-caliber supporting actress performance should be. Carol has emerged as a leader, for her willingness to make difficult decisions on the group’s behalf, and for her bravery in stepping up to do anything her friends need to help keep them safe and together. Plot and carry out a near solo mission to save the gang from the cannibals at Terminus? Check. Tend to her grieving BFF (and more?) Daryl? Check. Don a floral cardigan, tuck away her brass knuckles, and pretend to be an apocalyptic Stepford wife to help her crew infiltrate the Alexandria community? Check, thanks to McBride’s ability to pull off scenes with heart, emotion, action, and humor. — K.P.
Nick Offerman, 'Parks and Recreation'
12 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: Simply put, Ron Swanson is a national treasure, and, after seven seasons, deserves to be formally recognized as such. His cabin in the woods is also worthy of historical landmark status, but we’ll have to petition the National Parks Service for that.
WHY IT'S TIME: With 'Parks and Recreation' officially in the history books, this is Offerman’s last, best chance at a nomination for the role. And Ron had a great final year, too, from his feud with Leslie, to the belated discovery that he’s got several brothers, to the beyond-appropriate ending where he reluctantly (but happily) becomes a government employee once again, as the superintendent of the Pawnee National Park. And if you still doubt Offerman’s range, just check out this supercut highlighting Swanson’s many emotions. Meryl Streep, eat your heart out. —E.A.
WHY IT'S TIME: With 'Parks and Recreation' officially in the history books, this is Offerman’s last, best chance at a nomination for the role. And Ron had a great final year, too, from his feud with Leslie, to the belated discovery that he’s got several brothers, to the beyond-appropriate ending where he reluctantly (but happily) becomes a government employee once again, as the superintendent of the Pawnee National Park. And if you still doubt Offerman’s range, just check out this supercut highlighting Swanson’s many emotions. Meryl Streep, eat your heart out. —E.A.
'Parenthood'
13 of 20
WHY IT'S OVERDUE: Jason Katims's warmly observant, quietly heartfelt family drama has been one of network TV's finest dramas for years now. Its lack of big, shocking moments and conflicted antiheroes might've handicapped it with Emmy voters, though.
WHY IT'S TIME: 'Parenthood' turned the tear-jerking meter up to 11 for its final season, giving us a bevy of classic moments (Sarah and Amber's Joni Mitchell duet!) and a nearly flawless series finale. It's tough to see it breaking through in the more-competitive-than-ever drama series category, but we're holding out hope for supporting nods for MAE WHITMAN (Amber) and CRAIG T. NELSON (Zeek), who both turned in series-best work in Season 6. —D.N.
WHY IT'S TIME: 'Parenthood' turned the tear-jerking meter up to 11 for its final season, giving us a bevy of classic moments (Sarah and Amber's Joni Mitchell duet!) and a nearly flawless series finale. It's tough to see it breaking through in the more-competitive-than-ever drama series category, but we're holding out hope for supporting nods for MAE WHITMAN (Amber) and CRAIG T. NELSON (Zeek), who both turned in series-best work in Season 6. —D.N.
Keri Russell, 'The Americans'
14 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Have Emmy voters never seen an episode of 'The Americans'? It’s truly the only explanation fathomable for why Keri Russell has been overlooked as a lead actress nominee for the first two seasons of the critically acclaimed FX drama. Sure, there’s been a particularly deep pool of nominees for the last two Emmy ceremonies — Claire Danes, Julianna Margulies, Kerry Washington, etc. — but the third season of 'The Americans' was its best yet. And Russell’s performance as increasingly conflicted Russian spy/wife/mom Elizabeth was the best of her career, proving her yet again to be equally adept at subtle, emotional storylines, intense confrontations with her family or a doomed witness to her spy work, and the story’s action-packed fight scenes.
WHY IT'S TIME: The show just won a Peabody Award and a Critics' Choice Award as Best Drama — for its third, and again, best yet, season. It will be one of the ultimate oversights if the Emmys continue to overlook the show, Russell, the equally Emmy-deserving MATTHEW RHYS, and the series' incredibly creative COSTUME, HAIR and MAKEUP teams. —K.P.
WHY IT'S TIME: The show just won a Peabody Award and a Critics' Choice Award as Best Drama — for its third, and again, best yet, season. It will be one of the ultimate oversights if the Emmys continue to overlook the show, Russell, the equally Emmy-deserving MATTHEW RHYS, and the series' incredibly creative COSTUME, HAIR and MAKEUP teams. —K.P.
Katey Sagal, 'Sons of Anarchy'
15 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Emmy voters have always seemed a bit frightened of FX's brutal-but-beautiful "Hamlet on Harleys," which has only ever been nominated for its music (the main title theme in its first year, and the original song "Day is Gone" last year). Despite Sagal winning a Golden Globe in 2011, her portrayal of Gemma, TV's most fierce and manipulative mother, has been ignored by the Academy (which, by the way, never nominated her for 'Married…With Children' either).
WHY IT'S TIME: Yes, Gemma took a caving fork to the head of her son's wife in the Season 6 finale and her cover-up birthed a street war and massive body count in the show's final ride. But it's the quiet, dialogue-driven scenes that we remember: Gemma asking a teary Nero (an equally Emmy-worthy JIMMY SMITS) if they really deserve something better, Gemma saying goodbye to her Alzheimer's-stricken father (HAL HOLBROOK), and most of all, Gemma calmly coaxing Jax (CHARLIE HUNNAM) to remain true to who she always wanted him to be in her final moments. —M.B.
WHY IT'S TIME: Yes, Gemma took a caving fork to the head of her son's wife in the Season 6 finale and her cover-up birthed a street war and massive body count in the show's final ride. But it's the quiet, dialogue-driven scenes that we remember: Gemma asking a teary Nero (an equally Emmy-worthy JIMMY SMITS) if they really deserve something better, Gemma saying goodbye to her Alzheimer's-stricken father (HAL HOLBROOK), and most of all, Gemma calmly coaxing Jax (CHARLIE HUNNAM) to remain true to who she always wanted him to be in her final moments. —M.B.
Amy Schumer, 'Inside Amy Schumer'
16 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: The Comedy Central sketch show was still a cult hit when its second season broke through last year and earned its sole Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. Previously, sketch show performers had to submit in the supporting categories, which meant Schumer was a supporting actress contender despite her name being in the title of the show. This year, however, they were allowed to choose — and she went lead, as she should.
WHY IT'S TIME: Schumer has officially gone mainstream, making headlines for her intelligent, empowering, and above all hilarious point-of-view (on-screen and off). She's already earned the Critics' Choice award for Best Actress in a Comedy for the show's third season, which has her guzzling wine and tackling rape-culture in the brilliant 'Friday Night Lights' parody "Football Town Nights," defending Bill Cosby in the court of public opinion, celebrating Julia Louis-Dreyfus's "Last F—kable Day," and sparking a Twitter revolution for girls who don't need makeup. —M.B.
WHY IT'S TIME: Schumer has officially gone mainstream, making headlines for her intelligent, empowering, and above all hilarious point-of-view (on-screen and off). She's already earned the Critics' Choice award for Best Actress in a Comedy for the show's third season, which has her guzzling wine and tackling rape-culture in the brilliant 'Friday Night Lights' parody "Football Town Nights," defending Bill Cosby in the court of public opinion, celebrating Julia Louis-Dreyfus's "Last F—kable Day," and sparking a Twitter revolution for girls who don't need makeup. —M.B.
Timothy Simons, 'Veep'
17 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: He's been making our skin crawl as smug D.C. jackass Jonah Ryan for four seasons now. And while castmates from Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Tony Hale have been blessed with Emmy gold, he's still empty-handed.
WHY IT'S TIME: Season 4 has given us some of Jonah's best moments, even making us (gasp!) sympathize with our old buddy "Jonad" when he was repeatedly groped by a creepy White House co-worker (Patton Oswalt). We can't even print half the obscene things people say about Jonah on this show, but we'd be shouting all of them if Simons managed to yank a supporting actor nomination away from one of those 'Modern Family' guys. —D.N.
WHY IT'S TIME: Season 4 has given us some of Jonah's best moments, even making us (gasp!) sympathize with our old buddy "Jonad" when he was repeatedly groped by a creepy White House co-worker (Patton Oswalt). We can't even print half the obscene things people say about Jonah on this show, but we'd be shouting all of them if Simons managed to yank a supporting actor nomination away from one of those 'Modern Family' guys. —D.N.
Maisie Williams, 'Game of Thrones'
18 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: Arya continues to blaze her own trail through Westeros and its surrounding territories, this season setting herself on the path to becoming a many-faced assassin. Williams’ spirited portrayal makes it clear that Arya is the fiercest, most fearless surviving Stark… and therefore, one of the few who will likely be left standing as the series approaches its endgame.
WHY IT'S TIME: Then again, 'Game of Thrones' has made it clear that anyone and everyone is fair game (whether they’re still alive in the books or not), so why wait to honor a performer who could potentially be gone next season? Emmy voters also need to pay more attention to the show's terrific cast in general; Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Emilia Clarke have all received well-deserved nominations (and Dinklage won for the show’s first season), but there’s a deep bench of talent that demands recognition, starting with Williams. — E.A.
WHY IT'S TIME: Then again, 'Game of Thrones' has made it clear that anyone and everyone is fair game (whether they’re still alive in the books or not), so why wait to honor a performer who could potentially be gone next season? Emmy voters also need to pay more attention to the show's terrific cast in general; Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Emilia Clarke have all received well-deserved nominations (and Dinklage won for the show’s first season), but there’s a deep bench of talent that demands recognition, starting with Williams. — E.A.
Katheryn Winnick, 'Vikings'
19 of 20
WHY SHE'S OVERDUE: 'Vikings' has scored nominations in technical categories (Visual Effects, Sound Editing, Title Design) before, but it’s time the dynamic cast gets some recognition for their work. Katheryn Winnick’s been showing 'Vikings' fans she’s worthy of an Emmy nod for three years — with each season of the breakout show giving her an increasingly complex (and popular) character to play. Perhaps Winnick’s been overlooked because History isn’t exactly known for its prestige dramas, but that’s changing as audiences are starting to take notice.
WHY IT'S TIME: Few shows have characters as multi-dimensional as Lagertha — a mother, wife, warrior, and political leader. Season 3 saw Winnick deftly handling highly physical battle sequences, quiet drama, political intrigue, and leading lady romance. She seduced the King of Wessex, invaded Paris, and bathed in cow’s blood (it’s a Viking thing). It’s time the Lead Actress category had a little Bronze Age fierceness in the mix, and Winnick’s fearlessness in the role is endlessly compelling. —Nar Williams
WHY IT'S TIME: Few shows have characters as multi-dimensional as Lagertha — a mother, wife, warrior, and political leader. Season 3 saw Winnick deftly handling highly physical battle sequences, quiet drama, political intrigue, and leading lady romance. She seduced the King of Wessex, invaded Paris, and bathed in cow’s blood (it’s a Viking thing). It’s time the Lead Actress category had a little Bronze Age fierceness in the mix, and Winnick’s fearlessness in the role is endlessly compelling. —Nar Williams
Zach Woods, 'Silicon Valley'
20 of 20
WHY HE'S OVERDUE: Woods’ distinctive features and comic rhythms have made him a welcome presence on such shows as 'The Office' and 'Veep.' But he’s doing some of his best work ever as the oddest of 'Silicon Valley’'s oddballs, Jared, a man so supremely geeky even his fellow geeks think he’s strange.
WHY IT'S TIME: Jared’s explanation of SWOT Analysis was this season’s diagrammed d--k joke. (His inept description of Pied Piper’s workplace harassment policy, preserved here in written form, is comic gold as well.) And while 'Silicon Valley' earned an Outstanding Comedy Series nod last year, the cast sadly went unrecognized. This time, let’s not forget to honor some of the people (like Woods) who make it so darn funny. —E.A.
WHY IT'S TIME: Jared’s explanation of SWOT Analysis was this season’s diagrammed d--k joke. (His inept description of Pied Piper’s workplace harassment policy, preserved here in written form, is comic gold as well.) And while 'Silicon Valley' earned an Outstanding Comedy Series nod last year, the cast sadly went unrecognized. This time, let’s not forget to honor some of the people (like Woods) who make it so darn funny. —E.A.
With Emmy nomination voting continuing through June 26, we're happy to advocate for performers who've never been nominated for their current role and deserve to be. We also spotlight shows that have yet to be recognized as being among the best in their genre and should be.