AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This is the second category of the 4th 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.
Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Annabeth Gish, January Jones, Mary McDonnell, Anna Paquin, Kyra Sedgwick

Emmy nominees: Connie Britton, Glenn Close, Mariska Hargitay, January Jones, Julianna Marguiles, Kyra Sedgwick

Semi-finalists: None.

Finalists: Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) continued to lead Major Crimes with her distinctive style and Southern twang. Julianna Marguiles (The Good Wife) emerged from her husband’s show and helped CBS find itself a great new show. Melissa Leo (Treme) was a fierce, determined lawyer who valued her clients much more than they knew. Glenn Close (Damages) waged war on yet another villain, but had to contend with her own demons as well. Evangeline Lilly (Lost) tried to find her purpose and help set things straight with Claire and on the island.

The nominees:

January Jones (Mad Men) made like her husband and stepped out on her marriage, finally achieving some sort of fulfillment. Lauren Graham (Parenthood) was a snarky sibling and frustrated mother who was the comic heart of the Braverman family. Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) wouldn’t stand for her husband’s lies anymore and made a staggering effort to reclaim her life. Anna Paquin (True Blood) took on a new enemy at home as supernatural creatures of all kinds harvested their obsession with her.

The winner:
Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) suffered a brutal attack and heartbreakingly had to hide it from the men who loved her and stay strong, which she miraculously executed brilliantly.

Next up: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series