2012 Emmy Contenders: Guest Actress in a Drama Series

2012 Contenders
Loretta Devine "Grey's Anatomy"
Joan Cusack "Shameless"
Louise Fletcher "Shameless"
Bernadette Peters "Smash"
Jean Smart "Harry's Law"
Uma Thurman "Smash"
Chloe Sevigny "Law & Order: SVU"
Julia Ormond "Mad Men"
Alexis Bledel "Mad Men"
Carrie Preston "The Good Wife"
Martha Plimpton "The Good Wife"
Lucy Liu "Southland"
Jamie Lee Curtis "NCIS"
Kate Burton "Grey's Anatomy"
Alfre Woodard "Grey's Anatomy"
Debbie Allen "Grey's Anatomy"
Rita Wilson "The Good Wife"
Anika Noni Rose "The Good Wife"
Anika Noni Rose "Law & Order SVU"
Elizabeth Perkins "The Closer"
Marcia Gay Harden "Body of Proof"
Diahann Carroll "White Collar"
Lily Tomlin "NCIS"
Joan Allen "Luck"
Barbara Hershey "Once Upon a Time"

Commentary - Last year, Loretta Devine was a surprise nominee in this category, as most pundits believed that the Television Academy had moved on from Grey's Anatomy, despite a rejuviant season. But she nonetheless got in, and not only was she nominated, but by God she won. This year she returns to the race, and none of us are going to doubt her again. Beyond Devine, Grey's actually offers several big names that have a better chance of getting in than its regular cast members. Kate Burton returns, and Alfre Woodard and Debbie Allen join the race. It is probably not smart to bet against Woodard who is beloved by the Emmys. Another show that will do better in guest categories than lead or supporting ones is Shameless, which has Joan Cusack returning, and adds Oscar winner Louise Fletcher to the mix. Smash also offers some great choices including Uma Thurman and Bernadette Peters. Law & Order: SVU used to dominate this category, but this year only Chloe Sevigny's guest role looks to be a strong contender. Mad Men also did particularly well in this category last year, and names like Julia Ormond and Alexis Bledel could stand out to voters with a ballot. The Good Wife also offers several possibilities, particularly Carrie Preston, along with Anika Noni Rose (who also has a possibility in SVU), Martha Plimpton, and Rita Wilson. Some stand alone contenders include Lucy Liu for Southland, Jamie Lee Curtis for NCIS, Diahann Carroll for White Collar, Joan Allen for Luck, Barbara Hershey for Once Upon a Time, and Elizabeth Perkins for The Closer.