My Dream Emmy Ballot for 2010-2011

Every year at this time Emmy nominations are announced (this year they will be announced on July 14) with the TV viewing audience as well as the makers and shakers in the industry waiting with bated breath to discover if the members of Academy of Television Arts and Sciences have made good selections on the nominees or if they went with the “same old same old”. In most situations, unfortunately, the nominations are rather predictable, but occasionally there are those welcome changes to the standard line-up of nominees.

As in year’s past, I have once again comprised a list of my own Emmy nominees except this year I will not be covering the comedy categories because, unlike in year’s past, I don’t have enough choices from which to pick because, as most readers know, I am not a fan of half-hour comedies, and the few dramedies that could ‘technically’ qualify for this category fell FAR short this year. What that means is simply this: my dream Emmy ballot for this year will only cover the drama categories.

So without further ado, here is my Dream Emmy Ballot for 2011:

Best Drama:

Doctor Who

Doctor Who – As the longest-running sci-fi series of all time, the episodes of Doctor Who that aired during this past TV season can easily be seen as some of the best ever for the series. Starting with the Christmas episode and ending with the summer cliffhanger that revealed the truth behind the real identity of River Song, the first part of this latest season has made for an exciting adventure for all the viewers.

Castle

Castle – This current season of the ABC dramedy has included Castle being accused of murder, Becket and Castle nearly freezing to death in one anothers’ arms, the two of them finally locking lips and Beckett learning more about who caused the death of her mother, which – sadly – ended in the demise of Captain Montgomery not to mention Beckett getting shot in the cliffhanger ending. This show has mastered storytelling that provides just the right levels of comedy and drama with characters for which the viewers can care about.

Fringe

Fringe – Regardless of the low ratings, this FOX sci-fi laced series surpassed itself from last season with the ongoing story of Fauxlivia, the back-and-forth stories between the two intersecting universes, Fauxlivia becoming pregnant to Peter and the unexpected disappearance of Peter in the season finale, which catapulted the viewers into an unbelievable realm of the weird and hard to explain. It was an incredible roller coaster ride that kept fans on the edge of their seats all season long.

Best Supporting Actress, Drama:

Candice Accola

Candice Accola, The Vampire Diaries – Playing Caroline Forbes in the popular CW vampire series, Candice came into her own this past season by portraying a manipulative teenage cheerleader who is turned into a vampire against her will, but that unfortunate circumstance actually made Caroline into a much more interesting, multi-layered character for whom the viewers ended up rooting for on a regular basis. Despite being a “blood-sucker,” she has clearly mastered her feelings for her mother, her friends and her on-again, off-again boyfriend Matt and come into her own this season.

Jasika Nicole

Jasika Nicole, Fringe – Playing two distinctively different characters of the same name within the two alternative universes that loom extra-large throughout the series is no easy feat, but Jasika gave a stellar performance as FBI Agent Astrid Farnsworth during this past season.  She was able to step into the spotlight, pulling off a fantastic dual portrayal between the mild-mannered agent who assists Walter Bishop in our universe and the super genius who works with Fauxlivia in the alt-verse.  No matter which version she portrayed, fans were drawn to the inherent charm and warmth in her characters.

KaDee Strickland

KaDee Strickland, Private Practice – In her role of Dr. Charlotte King on the ABC medical drama, KaDee portrayed a character who was the victim of an extremely violent rape by a very unstable patient; a character who, at first, kept quiet about the rape, which caused a disastrous ripple effect; but through a course of very difficult events and decisions, became a strong woman who was eventually able to move on, marrying pediatrician Cooper Freedman near the end of the season. Her honest portrayal was stunning to watch and her strength of character was commendable.

Best Supporting Actor, Drama:

Arthur Darvill

Arthur Darvill, Doctor Who – While Rory is seen as a bit of an oddball on Doctor Who, he not only won the heart of the Doctor’s companion Amy Pond, becoming her husband but he also agreed to continue traveling with Amy and the Doctor, heading into even more dangerous adventures that none of them could have anticipated. In the summer cliffhanger, he uttered four memorial words that resonated with the viewers: “Where is my wife?” and in doing so, he cemented himself as more than just the oddball, but as a man on a mission to rescue his wife (with a little help from the Doctor, of course).

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones – In his role as Tyrion Lannister on the new HBO series, Peter has made the much-maligned, dwarf son of one of the principal lords within that world one of the only truly likable characters in the entire series. He may have his lewd vices, but he is a man of his word and actually has the kindest heart out of his entire lascivious family.

Michael Trevino

Michael Trevino, The Vampire Diaries – In the world of the CW vampire series, Tyler Lockwood, in a word, is a dick; but this past season, he has had to deal with the aftermath of his father’s death, the reappearance of his MIA uncle Mason and the eventual discovery that his family is cursed. Through a tragic turn of events, Tyler enacts the werewolf curse on himself and has bravely dealt with the aftermath, trying to become a better man in the process.

Best Lead Actor, Drama:

Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion, Castle – He may be a bit of an incorrigible jokester, but Richard Castle is a dedicated dad first and foremost, a well-versed author with a penchant for the macabre and is an obsessive pursuer of the truth and justice – even if he is a little misguided at times – and the help that he has provided to Detectives Beckett, Esposito and Ryan over the last few years has been invaluable (even if they don’t always want to admit it).

Matt Smith

Matt Smith, Doctor Who – Being the Doctor has to be pretty amazing and Matt certainly makes it look fun and exciting; but there is always a darker undertone to the time-traveler that no one – fan or companion alike – has fully seen. This season saw the Doctor – albeit one from 200 years in the future – die in front of Amy, Rory and River at the hands of an as-yet unidentified assailant; then the current Doctor discovered that Amy isn’t the real Amy, setting out on a rescue mission to retrieve her. Bring it on Doctor, we want to see more.

Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries – Playing Damon Salvatore, a 160- (plus) year-old vampire, Ian has made this bloodsucker into one of most beloved characters on TV simply by being the bad boy with a heart of gold for which he keeps well hidden (for the most part). This season has seen him battle two of The Originals, battle his own demons, show a softer side to his demonic character and protect the girl he loves. That seems all in a day’s work for him.

Best Lead Actress, Drama:

Stana Katic

Stana Katic, Castle – This season has brought a lot of revelations to Kate Beckett’s life specifically the involvement of Captain Montgomery with the dirty cops who, whether intentional or not, played a role in her mother’s death. She also still had Richard Castle involved in her personal and professional life, which always guarantees stress laced with just the least little bit of joy. The aftermath of her being shot at Montgomery’s funeral will surely resonate next season. Throughout the past season, she has done a phenomenal job dealing with everything that has been dealt to her.

Troian Bellisario

Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars – Say what you will about this ABC Family Channel teen soap opera (which is what the show essential is), it is one of the best guilty pleasure shows and Troian, in her role of Spencer Hastings, has gone through the ringer. Between hiding more secrets than any grown adult would ever want to be saddled with and nearly being killed by her brother-in-law, not to mention dating the bad buy in town, who really isn’t a bad boy at all; she’s got a lot on her plate and she plays it so damn well.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan, Doctor Who – First Amy Pond sees the Doctor killed right before her eyes only to realize that it was the Doctor from 200 years in the future. Then she is shockingly replaced by a ‘flesh’ version of herself only no one, not even Amy, is aware (except for the Doctor who quickly figures out the ruse). Then she wakes up in a very strange place, discovers she’s pregnant (to her husband Rory) and has her daughter kidnapped by an eye-patch-wearing, evil doctor lady who seems hell-bent on destroying her, Rory and especially the Doctor. That’s a lot to cope with, but she portrayed it masterfully.

Best Recurring Actor in a Drama:

Alex Kingston

Alex Kingston, Doctor Who – Perhaps one of the most beloved recurring characters in the whole history of the Doctor Who franchise, River Song is a most-perplexing, complicated, wonderful character portrayed perfectly by Alex. With the revelation in the summer cliffhanger of who River Song truly is (no spoilers here, though, for those still catching up) it is going to be amazing to see what happens next.

Josh Stewart

Josh Stewart, No Ordinary Family – While this short-lived ABC super-human drama didn’t gel with the TV viewing audience, Josh left an indelible mark on viewers in his role of The Watcher, nee Joshua nee Will – the “heavy” for the diabolical Dr. King, the lover of innocent Katie and the man on a mission to save the woman for whom he fell in love, Josh turned an evil character into an endearing man who just wanted to live and love and be ‘normal’.

Keegan Allen

Keegan Allen, Pretty Little Liars – As the well-intentioned ‘bad boy’ (an undeserved moniker) of Rosewood, Toby Cavanaugh, as portrayed by Keegan, has gone through the gauntlet for someone so young. He is accused of killing missing teen Allison DiLaurentis, only later to be found innocent of that crime, but is still seen as guilty by many in the town and it was revealed he was man-handled (against his will) by his slightly older step-sister. But, through it all Toby has been a character to root for and feel sympathy for; and best of all, his relationship with neighbor Spencer has been wonderfully heart-warming and touching.

There you have it: my dream Emmy ballot for 2011. Granted, I know very few of these actors, actresses or shows will make it on the “real” Emmy nominations ballots, but it sure would be fun if some of them did, right?

Who would you like to see nominated for an Emmy? Please share.