Sunday, September 8, 2013

AFT Awards: Best Drama Series

This is the twentieth category of the 7th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2012-2013 seasons. Finalists and semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Drama Series


Last year’s nominees: Breaking Bad, Homeland, Justified, Mad Men, Outcasts

Emmy nominees: Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards, Mad Men

Semi-finalists: Alphas, Downton Abbey, Elementary, Game of Thrones, Hell on Wheels, House of Cards, Justified, Longmire, Major Crimes, Parenthood, Rectify, Sons of Anarchy, Suits, The Good Wife, The Walking Dead , True Blood, Vegas

Finalists: Breaking Bad had high expectations coming off its amazing fourth year, and it delivered strongly with a continually darker storyline. Mad Men delved into new plot territory and managed to stay compelling six seasons in. Orphan Black was daringly creative and increasingly intriguing, with one incredible performance connecting it all. Dexter had its most invigorating season in years thanks to great new characters and an emphasis on its oldest players. Person of Interest became much more than a simple procedural thanks to excellent guest stars and a stellar storyline.

The nominees:

Boardwalk Empire was better than ever as it introduced a new adversary who made this show utterly unmissable each week. The Newsroom was Aaron Sorkin’s return to form, a captivating and superbly-acted personal drama. Boss and Banshee were dark, mesmerizing looks at truly evil people.

The winner:

Homeland followed up on an astonishing first season with an equally mesmerizing second season, which continued the story and took it to a whole new fantastic level.

Next up: Best Comedy Series

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