AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the tenth 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 Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Courtney Ford, Summer Glau, Maura Tierney, Lily Tomlin, Emmanuelle Vaugier

Emmy nominees: Cara Buono, Joan Cusack, Randee Heller, Loretta Devine, Mary McDonnell, Julia Stiles, Alfre Woodard

Semi-finalists: None.

Finalists: Cara Buono (Mad Men) represented a female equal of Don’s with a clear drive but the same weaknesses as any woman that encounters Don. Anika Noni Rose (The Good Wife) came from out of nowhere as a candidate, but the character and performance were layered and complex. Mary McDonnell (The Closer) managed to create an eccentric cop with enough quirky personality tics to almost upstage the show’s star. Jessica Paré (Mad Men) captured Don’s heart but also managed to entice audiences with her sweet and corruptible portrayal. Linda Gehringer (Justified) sent out her character with a memorable and powerful exit.

The nominees:

Julia Stiles (Dexter) crafted a vulnerable ally for Dexter who saw the world in a similar way but, unlike her predecessors, didn’t have an ulterior motive. Ally Walker (Sons of Anarchy) went off the deep end trying to manipulate everyone around her. Kaitlyn Dever (Justified) was a scared child marooned in a frightening adult world. Randee Heller (Mad Men) was hilariously cranky and crotchety as the unsinkable (well, not quite) Miss Blankenship.

The winner:

Rebecca Creskoff (Justified) burst onto the scene determined to get her way and walk all over everyone in Harlan, and her downfall proved absolutely enthralling to watch.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series