OUSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA
With Bob Odenkirk and Kevin Spacey
ineligible, and Anthony Hopkins practically so for Westworld, that leaves four holdovers from last year. Apart from my
continued objection to Ray Donavan, I
have no problem with the other three nominees being considered. I don't know if
the Emmys will go to seven nominations, as they did last time out, but there
are definitely some genuinely good new blood. I'm not certain whether Freddie
Highmore will get the pull he did for The
Good Doctor, and I am curious to see if Jason Bateman can be the first man
in history to be nominated for Best Actor in a Drama and in a Comedy in the same year. But here are my preferences.
Sterling K. Brown, This is Us
He's won basically every Best Actor
prize between last year's Emmys and this years. But much like Bryan Cranston, I
wouldn't mind if he made it three in a row. Watching perfection seeking Randall
try to better himself and those around him through the life of Deja, while
still reeling over the loss of his birth father, was just as fascinating
to follow this season as he was last year.
He's increased his profile tremendously, but this series still represents his
best work. I hope to see more of him in it.
James Franco, The Deuce
At first glance, it would be see to
see Franco's as to working class brother in 1971 Times Square as another
gimmick to demonstrate histrionic. But, as we should know, David Simon doesn't
do gimmicks.. And as a result, both Frank and Vincent come across as very
different characters trying to achieve the American Dream. This shouldn't change the fact that Franco does a marvelous
job playing two people who look alike but are distinctly different. There is a
tendency to call Franco as, well, nuts, but he's still a great actor who should
be rewarded for his work.
Paul Giamatti, Billions
It's always hard choosing which of
the two leads of this dynamic, underrated series should be recognized. But this
time out, I'm going for the dogged district attorney over the increasingly
arrogant billionaire. Watching him try to manipulate events -prosecuting Bobby
without getting singed, manipulating the justice system to get away from it,
his political planning, his decision to dump, his attempt to bring down the
Attorney General, and how he was outmaneuvered - led to some of the most
intense drama of the year so far. Chuck Rhoades may be down, but he's never
out. The Critics Choice nomination he got this year would seem like there's a
chance for him.
Freddie Highmore, The Good Doctor
Once again, I have pulling for this
brilliant actor, even though he's been nominated for the wrong series. But the
fact remains that this brilliant former child actor has the remarkable ability
to play characters who never seem comfortable in their own skin. To see him
play th young Norman Bates was mesmerizing, and this series continues to demonstrate
his versatility. He's already demonstrated that he's becoming a vibrant
hyphenate. I look forward to seeing what else he can do, even when the series
he's on isn't worthy of him.
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Philip could have easily been the
weak link of this brilliant series final season - after all, he did leave
espionage behind to concentrate on the running the agency. But his revelations
that he was never very good at either his fake job or his real one, his
personal agony as he had to spy on Elizabeth, his turning on everything he
stood for featuring the simmering anguish that has purveyed his soul since the
early seasons. And of course, in the final episode - from confessing that Stan
was his best friend to that choked final phone call son - was another of those
master classes in acting. I really hope he gets it. I hope he wins.
Milo Ventimiglia, This is Us
Yes, we now know how he died. But
considering Jack Pearson as summed up by his final act - magnificent though it
was - would not be doing him or Ventimiglia credit. We saw him dealing with his
demons involving alcohol, fix his marriage, try to help his children for their
most horrific moments, and save his family from the fire that destroyed the
Pearson home. To then have one of the more tragic final moments with his wife
(who we'll get to in the next category believe me) before succumbing was one of
the high points of the 2018 season. He may be gone, but Jack's story is not
over. And I look forward to seeing him prove it.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
It seems a little odd that I should
have to push for an actor who won in this category just two years ago, but he,
and the series, fell out of favor last year. But they charged back full force
this season as Elliot came to grips with more betrayals, more manipulations,
and trying to fix the 5/9 hack. The magnificent one-take episode of the series
may be one of his most incredible achievements yet, and it doesn't even come
close to topping his accomplishments. I hope that the Emmys will find room for
him, and not Liev fricking Schrieber.
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