AFT Awards: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This is the second 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 Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Lauren Graham, Anna Gunn, January Jones, Anna Paquin, Katey Sagal

Emmy nominees: Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Mireille Enos, Mariska Hargitay, Julianna Margulies, Elisabeth Moss

Semi-finalists: Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles)

Finalists: Melissa Leo (Treme) pushed hard to find justice when no one around her seemed to care. Lauren Graham (Parenthood) developed her own career as she dealt with troublesome children. Anna Paquin (True Blood) did her best to stay grounded with some truly wild and wicked things going on around her. Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Undercovers) was the most memorable, spirited part of NBC’s short-lived spy series. Sasha Alexander (Rizzoli & Isles) finally found a reason to have left “NCIS” at the end of its second season.

The nominees:

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) tackled her personal life head-on while blazing ahead as a formidable lawyer. Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) dealt with the latest events in her life with an unparalleled ferocity and determination. Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) charted new territory as she worked towards a promotion she didn’t know she wanted. Jennifer Beals (The Chicago Code) took Chicago by storm with an unassailable drive and a deep-seated Windy City accent.

The winner:

Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) continued her rise within the ranks of her advertising agency and blossomed into a more strong-willed and adventurous person.

Next up: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series