There have been quite a few
vacancies opening in this category with the passing of 'Mad Men' and
'Parenthood'. Admittedly, there will probably be more than a few repeats in
this category - which is OK, because there are some nominees I want to repeat. But please give us some
new blood. Here are my suggestions.
Kyle Chandler, 'Bloodline'
Had I known how great his work in
this criminally undervalued series was, I'd have suggested him last year. It's
a question, of course, whether the series which debuted only a few weeks ago,
will meet eligibility requirements. But there's no question that his
performance as the now guilt-ridden fratricide, trying to juggle even more
family secrets from more people this season, is one of the best of the year.
He's already proven he's one of TV's great actors. If he duplicates last years
nomination, I won't object.
Damien Lewis, "Billions"
Showtime's best new series in quite
some time, we already there are a lot of candidates on this network for the
Best Actor prize. But of the group, his earthy portrayal of billionaire Bobby
Axelrod was by far the most riveting of the bunch. We should've been pushed to
root against him, but Lewis' charm and layered performance somehow made him the
more fascinating character on the show. He clearly has a meter that makes
Showtime return to him. Let's reward him with another nod.
Rami Malek, "Mr. Robot"
Of course, the most mesmerizing
debut on television last season was this relative unknown's portrayal of
hacker/drug addict/split personality Eliot. We should be sick of hearing
characters narrating their actions by now, but Malek's work utterly redefines
the term 'unreliable narrator'. And after all this is a character who pretty
much broke the financial system last year.
The very least we can do is put him up for a nomination.
Bob Odenkirk, 'Better Call Saul'
No, Jimmy isn't quite the flashiest
legal purveyor in New Mexico yet,
but he's quite a bit closer. And yet there is a
lot more compassion in his portrayal that makes us warm to him in a way
we never quite could to Walter White. Despite all of his actions, there remains
some redeeming virtues in his character - particularly in his relationships
with Chuck and Kim - that make the ultimate tragedy of Saul Goodman even more
moving. He's not as deserving of the Emmy as Bryan Cranston was the first times
out, but he's definitely getting there.
Matthew Rhys, 'The Americans'
Every season, it becomes more and
more amazing why Rhys hasn't achieved the superstardom than Jon Hamm has. He's
nearly as good as an actor with a character with a double life, and he has a
much better management of the human side than Don Draper did for most of 'Mad
Men's entire run. As Philip has more and more trouble trying to deal with the
necessities of his job, as he tries somehow to keep his daughter out of the
'family business', and as the FBI closes in, Rhys continues to demonstrate why
he is one of the best actors on one of TV's best shows. Now please try to
convince the Academy of that.
Kevin Spacey, 'House of Cards'
It says something for just how
messed up are current election cycle is that so many people would rather have
Frank Underwood as President. This is a
lying, manipulative, double-dealing murderer, who spent much of this year at
war with his First Lady, the country, his own party, and the world. No wonder
he got shot. But Kevin Spacey is remarkable - even at this stage - at turning
on the charm that this character somehow has. He's overdue for an Emmy, but he
at least deserves to repeat.
WILD CARD
James Spader, 'The Blacklist'
Yes, I know I've pushed for him for
the last two years without him getting recognized. And yes, there are still a
lot of male actors who could take his spot that I can mention. But the fact
remains, during the arc that dealt with Liz Keene's supposed death, his
portrayal of Raymond Reddington took on a level that added subtleties to his
character that you wouldn't have thought his character was possible of. And
when the climax came at the end of the season, the ultimate revelation was so
shocking (mainly because Red is never taken
by surprise) that it added a level that I give actors extra credit for. He may
have three Emmys already, but he's earned one more shot. Please consider him.
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