Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a TV Series - Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)
Claire Foy (The Crown)
Keri Russell (The Americans)
Winona Ryder (Stranger Things)
Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)

New contenders:
Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Deuce)
Laura Linney (Ozark)
Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery)
Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Potential first-time nominees:
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Carrie Coon (The Leftovers)
Michelle Dockery (Good Behavior)

Category promotions:
Mandy Moore (This Is Us)

Past nominees:
Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)
Taraji P. Henson (Empire)
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Robin Wright (House of Cards)

One contender from last year is out - Wood, whose show won’t return until next year - and she’ll all but guaranteed to be replaced by past winner Moss, who took home the Emmy this past September. I’d say Balfe is the most vulnerable since her show is oldest, while Russell just made it in for the first time last year and the breakout hits starring Foy and Ryder remain hot (though Ryder’s category placement isn’t as clear). Emmy winners Davis and Maslany could be back, as could Globe champs Henson and Wright (though I don’t think anyone is going to be too gung-ho about “House of Cards” these days), and I’d say that Maslany has the best shot for her recently-wrapped series. Gyllenhaal is a decent bet for a juicy role, and she’s far more charismatic than Linney in her new series. While I’d love to see Coon or Dockery finally recognized, I think that last year’s supporting actress nominee Moore is likeliest to show up here. Similarly promoted Clarke might also earn her first nomination.

Current predictions:
Claire Foy (The Crown)
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Mandy Moore (This Is Us)
Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Winona Ryder (Stranger Things)