2:20 PM PDT, September 20, 2013
Last up in our nominee profiles before the Emmys air this Sunday is Outstanding Drama Series!
The argument could be made that if the Primetime Emmy's were up for a vote on the Internet, Game of Thrones would likely be the runaway favorite in every category.
One needs to look no further than the spike in baby girls named "Khaleesi," or the fandom widely considered more devoted than even Justin Bieber's. This could be the reason that Game of Thrones increased its Emmy haul from two statuettes to six in its sophomore appearance last year.
With its third season HBO's second-highest rated ever (behind The Sopranos fifth season) the Game of Thrones success has continued, as has the series devotion to breaking narrative convention, in sometimes heartbreaking ways -- i.e. the Red Wedding.
Whether this will translate to the series receiving its first Outstanding Drama Emmy depends on whether the Academy voters are as caught up in the Seven Kingdom craze as the rest of us.
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'Game of Thrones'
HBO
Last up in our nominee profiles before the Emmys air this Sunday is Outstanding Drama Series!
The argument could be made that if the Primetime Emmy's were up for a vote on the Internet, Game of Thrones would likely be the runaway favorite in every category.
One needs to look no further than the spike in baby girls named "Khaleesi," or the fandom widely considered more devoted than even Justin Bieber's. This could be the reason that Game of Thrones increased its Emmy haul from two statuettes to six in its sophomore appearance last year.
With its third season HBO's second-highest rated ever (behind The Sopranos fifth season) the Game of Thrones success has continued, as has the series devotion to breaking narrative convention, in sometimes heartbreaking ways -- i.e. the Red Wedding.
Whether this will translate to the series receiving its first Outstanding Drama Emmy depends on whether the Academy voters are as caught up in the Seven Kingdom craze as the rest of us.
The argument could be made that if the Primetime Emmy's were up for a vote on the Internet, Game of Thrones would likely be the runaway favorite in every category.
One needs to look no further than the spike in baby girls named "Khaleesi," or the fandom widely considered more devoted than even Justin Bieber's. This could be the reason that Game of Thrones increased its Emmy haul from two statuettes to six in its sophomore appearance last year.
With its third season HBO's second-highest rated ever (behind The Sopranos fifth season) the Game of Thrones success has continued, as has the series devotion to breaking narrative convention, in sometimes heartbreaking ways -- i.e. the Red Wedding.
Whether this will translate to the series receiving its first Outstanding Drama Emmy depends on whether the Academy voters are as caught up in the Seven Kingdom craze as the rest of us.
'Homeland'
Showtime
While HBO's Game of Thrones centers around competing factions fighting and plotting their way to the Iron Throne, in the Emmy game, it's Showtime's Homeland that ended Mad Men's four-year domination of the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy.
The fast-paced thriller last year rode a fascinating storyline and visceral, conflicted chemistry between stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis to not only take the Outstanding Drama Emmy, but also to win in six of their nine nominated categories.
Of course, the problem with such a strong showing is living up to the hype now that Homeland no longer holds the underdog status.
However, if the show’s well-received second season is any indication -- coupled with their eight new Emmy nods -- Homeland might again have a lot of celebrating to do at the 2013 Emmy Awards show.
The fast-paced thriller last year rode a fascinating storyline and visceral, conflicted chemistry between stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis to not only take the Outstanding Drama Emmy, but also to win in six of their nine nominated categories.
Of course, the problem with such a strong showing is living up to the hype now that Homeland no longer holds the underdog status.
However, if the show’s well-received second season is any indication -- coupled with their eight new Emmy nods -- Homeland might again have a lot of celebrating to do at the 2013 Emmy Awards show.
'Mad Men'
AMC
Few shows on television have made such an impact on pop culture as AMC's Mad Men, the highly quotable, '60s-set drama that follows the often-destructive trajectory of Madison Avenue ad man Don Draper (portrayed by Jon Hamm) and the multiple, well-drawn characters that orbit his universe.
The freshman drama from creator Matthew Weiner made a splash at the 2008 Primetime Emmys by winning Outstanding Drama Series in its first year, and subsequently picked up the same honor three more times through 2011. Between nominations for the series itself, as well as its cast and creative crew, the series has racked up more than 80 Emmy nominations.
After being passed over for Outstanding Drama Series in 2012, can Mad Men reclaim its crown this time around?
The freshman drama from creator Matthew Weiner made a splash at the 2008 Primetime Emmys by winning Outstanding Drama Series in its first year, and subsequently picked up the same honor three more times through 2011. Between nominations for the series itself, as well as its cast and creative crew, the series has racked up more than 80 Emmy nominations.
After being passed over for Outstanding Drama Series in 2012, can Mad Men reclaim its crown this time around?
'House of Cards'
Netflix
The jury is still out on Netflix's campaign to change the way we watch TV, but with shows like House of Cards, one thing that isn't in question is that the streaming-service-turned-content- provider's devotion to quality programming.
The political drama, starring Kevin Spacey, made a big enough splash in its first season to earn recognition among some of the best television dramas today, a very good sign for the young show employing the largely-untested waters of entire-season distribution.
It's unclear whether the voters will reward House of Cards or any of the Netflix programming with statuettes, but at the very least, the company eyeing HBO has made a big first statement.
The political drama, starring Kevin Spacey, made a big enough splash in its first season to earn recognition among some of the best television dramas today, a very good sign for the young show employing the largely-untested waters of entire-season distribution.
It's unclear whether the voters will reward House of Cards or any of the Netflix programming with statuettes, but at the very least, the company eyeing HBO has made a big first statement.
'Breaking Bad'
AMC
If there's one series that isn't short on Emmy nominations, it's AMC's methamphetamine-induced thriller Breaking Bad. Critically acclaimed since its premiere, the show has amassed seven Emmy awards and many more nominations.
Of all those nominations however, one category that has proven elusive for the show is in the category Outstanding Drama Series.
While four nominations are exceptional in their own right, Breaking Bad lost in the category in consecutive years against Mad Men, and just last year against Showtime's CIA drama Homeland.
As fans await the last set of episodes, maybe Bryan Cranston's tragic role and compelling story will finally lead to that Outstanding Drama Series Emmy.
Of all those nominations however, one category that has proven elusive for the show is in the category Outstanding Drama Series.
While four nominations are exceptional in their own right, Breaking Bad lost in the category in consecutive years against Mad Men, and just last year against Showtime's CIA drama Homeland.
As fans await the last set of episodes, maybe Bryan Cranston's tragic role and compelling story will finally lead to that Outstanding Drama Series Emmy.
'Downton Abbey'
PBS
It is not often that an international series finds such a receptive audience stateside, but that was entirely the case with Downton Abbey which made history with the highest amount of Primetime Emmy nominations ever for a global series.
Since then, the mania has only increased, with Downton becoming one of the most-watched TV shows in the world.
Does that signal a Best Drama Emmy for the Crawley family? The category is notoriously competitive with such critical darlings like Mad Men and Homeland, but don't count this British period drama out just yet -- it's pulled off upsets before.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Lead Actress in a Drama
Lead Actor in a Drama
Lead Actress in a Comedy
Lead Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Drama
Since then, the mania has only increased, with Downton becoming one of the most-watched TV shows in the world.
Does that signal a Best Drama Emmy for the Crawley family? The category is notoriously competitive with such critical darlings like Mad Men and Homeland, but don't count this British period drama out just yet -- it's pulled off upsets before.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Lead Actress in a Drama
Lead Actor in a Drama
Lead Actress in a Comedy
Lead Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Drama