2015 Emmy Predictions: Best Actor in a Drama Series
“Mad Men” has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the TV Academy. Matthew Weiner’s series won Best Drama at the Emmys for its first four seasons, among other numerous trophies. But its leading man has never won. Despite earning a nomination every year “Mad Men” has been eligible (plus guest star nods for “30 Rock” in three seasons and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” this year), Hamm has lost every single year (spurring him to create the “Losers’ Party” with fellow snubee Amy Poehler). Will he join the ranks of the unjustly ignored like Jason Alexander and Steve Carell, or will the Academy finally reward him in his final year as Don Draper?
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The answer will be “no” if Kevin Spacey has anything to say about it. Hot off his Golden Globes win and feeling rejuvenated after Bryan Cranston and Matthew McConaughey’s exit from the category, the two-time Oscar winner is looking to get one step closer to the EGOT this year with his Netflix series “House of Cards.” In fact, after Spacey and Hamm, only one other actor nominated last year was even eligible in 2015.
That man would be Jeff Daniels, and his show is the now-concluded Aaron Sorkin series “The Newsroom.” He’s been nominated for all three seasons of the show, but it’s hard to see him winning — especially since he already did two years ago in a true Emmy shocker. But perhaps three newbies — Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), Kyle Chandler (“Bloodline”) and Liev Schreiber (“Ray Donovan”) — can pull off what Daniels did by winning on their first try?
READ MORE: Steve Carell: An Unjust History of Emmys Losses For the Man Behind Michael Scott
Below are predictions for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series from both Indiewire Awards
Editor Peter Knegt and TV Critic Ben Travers. Check back as they might
very well change ’em up between now and September, and stay up-to-date
on all the races with our predictions in all the categories here.
The nominees:
Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
Ben’s predictions:
Will win: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Could win: Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Should win: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Shoulda been here: Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”
Peter’s predictions:
Will win: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Could win: Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
Should win: Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Shoulda been here: Dominic West, “The Affair”
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