2013 Emmy Contenders: Best Actress in a Drama Series

2013 Contenders
Claire Danes "Homeland"
Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Michelle Dockery "Downton Abbey"
Robin Wright "House of Cards"
Glenn Close "Damages"
Elisabeth Moss "Mad Men"
Connie Britton "Nashville"
Kerry Washington "Scandal"
Keri Russell "The Americans"
Katey Segal "Sons of Anarchy"
Emily Van Camp "Revenge"
Madeleine Stowe "Revenge"
Ellen Pompeo "Grey's Anatomy"
Vera Farmiga "Bate's Motel"
Emmy Rossum "Shameless"
Thandie Newton "Rogue"
Anna Torv "Fringe"
Mariska Hargitay "Law & Order: SVU"
Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"
Stana Katic "Castle"
Anna Paquin "True Blood"
Lucy Liu "Elementary"
Jennifer Morrison "Once Upon a Time"
Ginnifer Goodwin "Once Upon a Time"
Piper Perabo "Covert Affairs"
Mary McDonnell "Major Crimes"
Dana Delaney "Body of Proof"
Jennifer Love Hewitt "The Client List"
Callie Thorne "Necessary Roughness"

Commentary - I personally think that there are a total of about nine (maybe 11-12 at most) that will be fighting for six slots. Claire Danes and Julianna Margulies are probably the only two major locks at this point, although I think that Downton has enough good will for Michelle Dockery to get back in as well. House of Cards is still on the fence for me because of its format, but if it is accepted by the Academy expect Robin Wright to easily get in. Glenn Close is always a safe bet, but last year she was the shows only major nomination and there is a lot of competition. Elisabeth Moss should be safe, but she has lacked the meaty storylines this season on Mad Men. I personally think that Kerry Washington is fantastic, and would love to see her get in. Her show is a guily pleasure, which hurts it, but it also has an addicting quality, and she is the only black actress in contention, so there may be enough support. Of the new shows Keri Russell and Connie Britton are grey possibilties. I would love to add Vera Farmiga, but I wonder if voters will embrace Bates Motel. Of the rest names like Mariska Hargitay and Ellen Pompeo are always on the radar, but most likely are not real contenders.