My Dream Emmy Ballot for 2012

The Emmys are coming, the Emmys are coming!

With the 2011-2012 TV season now over, it is time for the Emmy nomination process to be underway. The official Emmy nominations will be announced on July 19 this year; and while many of my peers have been listing their choices for who WILL be nominated, I prefer to make my own list of my dream nominees, including the dramas, actors and actresses who are repeatedly looked over or would never be considered by the members of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the actual awards ceremony. Occasionally a new show or actor will crop on the actual nominations, but those are few and far between.

Just like last year I have chosen to focus on dramas only both from the major and cable networks; most of those I have chosen will not make it onto the official nominations list; but it should be great to see these shows, actresses and actors get the attention they so richly deserve.

Therefore, without further delay, here are my dream Emmy nominees for 2012:

Best Drama:

Homeland – This Showtime series about an MIA Marine Sergeant who returns home after years in captivity by international terrorist Abu Nazir and the CIA operations officer, who is convinced that he has been turned against America, became a hit with viewers and critics alike.

Game of Thrones – Based on the book series by George R.R. Martin, this HBO series caused waves with its titillating sexuality and impressive story range, earning rave reviews from critics and legends of fans. The show specializes in blood and gore, but it sure is hard NOT to watch.

The Vampire Diaries – This is the number one drama on The CW and while it will never actually make it onto the Emmy list, it should simply because it is one of the best written series on network TV right now.

Best Supporting Actress, Drama:

Pauley Perrette – She is the heart and soul of CBS‘s NCIS, the long-running number one drama on network television. Her effervescent charm and appeal has made Abby Scuito one of the most popular characters on TV. She’s smart, Goth and appealing and a fan-favorite.

April Bowlby – Most TV viewers will not recognize her name, but anyone who has watched the popular Lifetime dramedy Drop Dead Diva will know exactly who she is: Stacy Barrett, the best friend of attorney Jane (sans model Deb). She may come off as dim-witted, but she is devoted, dedicated, loyal and such plain fun to watch.

Lana Parrilla – Who else do you think could play the Evil Queen aka Mayor Regina Mills better on the new ABC fairytale drama Once Upon a Time? I doubt any actress would embody this dual role quite as well, and I don’t think the fans would have it any other way.

Best Supporting Actor, Drama:

Peter Dinklage – This talented actor stole the show from every other actor on the HBO series Game of Thrones in season one, collecting his much-deserved Emmy last year. That will be the case once again this year because he was beyond fantastic as Tyrion Lannister, the Hand of the King.

Robert Carlyle – Mr. Gold aka the legendary Rumplestilskin is the epitome of what a villain should be on the ABC fairytale drama Once Upon a Time. He is someone who we all want to hate but at the same time viewers feel pity for what he has lost and what he could possibly be.

Gabriel Mann – As Nolan Ross on the new ABC soap opera Revenge, Gabriel won over the audience with his portrayal of computer tech genius who was the henchman (if you will) to Emily Thorne (aka Amanda Clarke). He also had some of the best one-liners of the year!

Best Lead Actor, Drama:

Michael Emerson – Once again he is playing an enigmatic character, this time Harold Finch on the new CBS series Person of Interest; a character with so many layers that it will, undoubtedly, take years to figure out just what makes him tick and we can’t wait to find out what he is all about.

Damian Lewis – Nicholas Brody is a complicated man: he is a husband, father, Marine and a traitor; but is he really the last descriptor? And, Damian played out each facet of this complicated man on the Showtime drama Homeland with such intensity that it was impossible not to sympathize with his intentions while being completely upset by them at the same time.

Shane West – He plays Michael, a spy on The CW series Nikita; a series that will never be taken seriously by the Emmy voters; but perhaps the voters should. Michael is nothing short of a complicated man with so many secrets it’s hard to keep them all straight; but he is strong and stoic and a man of honor.

Best Lead Actress, Drama:

Claire Danes – Carrie Mathison is a highly-intelligent, overly-motivated CIA officer on the new Showtime drama Homeland; but until the end of the first season she was hiding a HUGE secret – she is bipolar: a mental illness that, once revealed, jeopardized her job. It was hard to watch Carrie but it was even harder not to watch.

Madeline Stowe – Victoria Grayson is an enigma in the world of the Hamptons as depicted on the new ABC soap opera Revenge: powerful, compelling, vindictive and passionate about protecting her family. But with those strong desires can come a strong evil streak and no one plays it better.

Gabrielle Anwar – Fiona Glenanne, from the USA Network series Burn Notice, is one of the toughest and strongest women on television; and since she is involved with one of the toughest spies in the world she has been through countless challenges and this season she sacrificed herself for him.

Best Recurring Actor in a Drama:

Neal McDonough – He appeared in nearly all of season four of the FX drama Justified as the creepy and demented Robert Quarles, the latest nemesis of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. He started out as the man to be feared, but ended up as the man to be pitied.

Sebastian Stan – After his first appearance as Jefferson (aka The Mad Hatter) on the new ABC fairytale drama Once Upon a Time, fans were so enamored that he was invited back two more times to entice viewers. He captured their hearts with his intensity and sex appeal; and his over-the-top drive wasn’t a turn off either.

Kellie Martin – As Army Captain Nicole Galassin on the Lifetime military drama Army Wives, she helped assuage a tense stand-off in Africa and after an injury sustained during that special mission, she moved forward with her relationship with her partner Charlie, which was very touching.

Again, not very many of these nominees will appear in the official announcement of nominees next month, but sure is fun to at least imagine they could be. Who would you like to see nominated for a 2012 Emmy? Please share.