AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the ninth category of the 5th 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 Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Adam Arkin, James Callis, Walton Goggins, Allan Hyde, John Lithgow

Emmy nominees: Beau Bridges, Jeremy Davies, Bruce Dern, Michael J. Fox, Paul McCrane, Robert Morse

Semi-finalists: Kevin Alejandro (Parenthood), Raymond J. Barry (Justified), Jeremy Davies (Justified), Michael Emerson (Parenthood), James Frain (True Blood), Peter Gallagher (Rescue Me), Brad William Henke (Justified), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Titus Welliver (Sons of Anarchy)

Finalists: Robert Morse (Mad Men) with out with a memorable huff as he finally reached his breaking point. Dallas Roberts (The Good Wife) managed not to be over-the-top in a role that could easily have gotten him carried away. Peter Weller (Dexter) was a great dirty cop with a serious vindictive edge. Noah Emmerich (The Walking Dead) conveyed despair and hopelessness within seconds as a last survivor unwilling to consider the possibility of a happy ending. Hal Holbrook (Sons of Anarchy) played a man his age with tragic problems.

The nominees:

Lennie James (The Walking Dead) provided a sharp, brutal introduction to the world of zombies with an almost detached resolve. Michael J. Fox (The Good Wife) made an immediate impression with his purposefully manipulative and shrewd lawyer. Mark Moses (Mad Men) returned as a man defeated and on his last legs in an alternately sad and funny performance. Jonny Lee Miller (Dexter) gave depth to a public personality with an awfully disturbing private life.

The winner:

Eamonn Walker (Lights Out) emerged from his own world determined to make his mark on the lives of others with a fierce and always frightening intensity.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series