Saturday, August 6, 2011

AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

This is the sixth 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 Supporting Actress in a Drama Series


Last year’s nominees
: Amy Acker, Joelle Carter, Tina Marjorino, Elisabeth Moss, Maggie Siff

Emmy nominees: Christine Baranski, Michelle Forbes, Christina Hendricks, Kelly Macdonald, Margo Martindale, Archie Panjabi

Semi-finalists: Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Erika Christensen (Parenthood), January Jones (Mad Men), Janet Montgomery (Human Target), Indira Varma (Human Target), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood), Natalie Zea (Justified)

Finalists: Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) took on a prominent role once again and charged headstrong through familiar obstacles. Debra Winger (In Treatment) staged a stirring comeback with her portrayal of a broken-down again actress. Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) proved that small and female can mean the opposite of having no power. Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) was the young standout of an ensemble with a decided fierceness and yearning to achieve more than what might be expected of her. Kim Dickens (Treme) was off on her own in terms of story this season, but managed to keep the character grounded and inspirational.

The nominees:

Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) improved on a breakout freshman year with an even more enticing and immensely watchable portrayal of a woman with too many secrets known only to herself. Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire) was the foil to the vicious, manipulative Nucky, who experienced a staggering transition from patsy to mastermind in her own right. Maggie Siff (Sons of Anarchy) faced distance just as she got too close and handled it with admirable aplomb and viciousness. Mae Whitman (Parenthood) went through quite a lot and turned in an honest, heartfelt portrait of a teenager in trouble.

The winner:

Margo Martindale (Justified) finally got a leading role that enabled her to demonstrate the extent of villainy that can be hidden behind a friendly face and a kindly accent.

Next up: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

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