This is the sixth category of the 3rd Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television this past season. This year, semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work being done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.Last year’s nominees: Kristen Bell, Tricia Helfer, January Jones, Tatum O’Neal, Natalie Zea
Emmy nominees: Rose Byrne, Hope Davis, Cherry Jones, Sandra Oh, Dianne Wiest, Chandra Wilson
Semi-finalists: Tina Benko (Brotherhood) stood up and for once thought for herself, and realized she couldn’t really ever have what she truly wanted. Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) may have been the harbinger of death, but the hard-headed hotshot stuck around long enough to help humanity find a new home. Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) kept the office in order while her personal life slipped out of her control. Kristen Bell (Heroes) almost turned Sylar from a villain into a hero – if only the show hadn’t dismissed her so quickly. Callie Thorne and Andrea Roth (Rescue Me) both kept Tommy on a tight leash as they expressed a renewed interest in the tumultuous alcoholic. Cassidy Freeman (Smallville) and Laurie Holden (The Shield) weren’t the most important stars on their respective shows, but their fresh faces helped move along the major storylines on both series. Miriam Shor (Swingtown) fit perfectly into the 1970s period of the show, and her stubbornness was torn apart in the face of shocking sexual exposure. Rutina Wesley (True Blood) dealt with relationship issues at home and at work – and though she never encountered vampires, her trials and tribulations were still very intriguing.
Finalists: Natalie Zea (Dirty Sexy Money) dialed up the crazy as she was manipulated by her fiancée and honed in on old flame Nick. Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) played the long-suffering wife’s role in the motorcycle club, but defiantly reused to accept a subservient life. Fionnula Flanagan (Brotherhood) played favorites as she cared for all her children and her nephew Colin, and struggled to keep her family together as they fell apart again. CCH Pounder (The Shield) found her health failing as her nemesis slipped away from her but pledged never to give up until the day she couldn’t come into work anymore. Lucy Liu (Dirty Sexy Money) delivered far more than her so-so role called for, and made shark-like attorney Nola Lyons more than just a plotline.
The nominees:
Hope Davis (In Treatment) didn’t accept the role of the patient in her dynamic with her therapist, and her strong-willed nature made her therapy must-see. Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost) got left with a different crew and saw a different life (and love) emerge in her new past. Marcia Gay Harden (Damages) stepped onto the scene to shrewdly represent a powerhouse firm, only to try to bring them down once she realized their true motivations. Alison Pill (In Treatment) sought therapy when she was diagnosed with cancer, and let her guard down in a way that it was clear she never did elsewhere, as conveyed spectacularly by this breakthrough actress. Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) led the Cylons through an alliance with humanity to fight a greater evil, and fulfilled her destiny as a key to the survival of both races, all the while finely playing multiple roles in various episodes.
Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
1 comment:
I don't understand why you think Tricia Helfer's acting is so great. I mean, she's good, but putting her ahead of Katee Sackhoff is somewhat insane, in my opinion. I actually liked her better in "Burn Notice's" second season, to be frank. Still, it's good to see "Galactica's" acting getting recognized by someone.
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