"Homeland"
The Emmys haven't exactly been perfect at nominating the most deserving dramatic television -- see the widespread dismissals of the likes of "Sons of Anarchy," "Battlestar: Galactica," "Gilmore Girls," "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," and most horrifyingly, "The Wire." But they have improved significantly in recent years, particularly in embracing a new era of intensely acclaimed, mostly cable-made "smart TV."
Last year's nominations saw "Boardwalk Empire," "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland" and "Mad Men" manage a lineup that for the first time ever did not include on of the 4 major broadcast networks, and it's likely that this year will continue the trend. Of those six, "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad" and "Homeland" (which dominated the winners last year, though its second season was not as well-received as its first) seem like total locks. "Game of Thrones" is close behind, with its status as the zeitgeist show sure to help it (not to mention great reviews), while "Downton Abbey" is next, though one wonders if Emmy voters will lessen their "Abbey" love given the mixed critical response of the third season (though history suggests once a show is "in" with Emmy voters, it takes a while for it too fall out even if critics start rejecting the show).
That leaves "Boardwalk Empire" as the most vulnerable of the six, though the three shows most likely to replace it -- Netflix's "House of Cards," HBO's "The Newsroom" and F/X's "The Americans" -- are all new series that wouldn't give a nod to any broadcast network. If any show does, its CBS' "The Good Wife" or ABC's "Scandal," but both are far from sure bets.
The predictions:
'Mad Men' AMC
Best Drama Series: (our predicted nominees in bold)
The Locks:
1. Homeland
2. Breaking Bad
Strong Contenders:
3. Mad Men
4. Games of Thrones
5. Downton Abbey
The Spoiler Newbies:
6. House of Cards
7. The Americans
8. The Newsroom
Outside Possibilities:
9. Boardwalk Empire
10. The Good Wife
11. Scandal
12. The Walking Dead
Best Lead Actress - Drama Series:
Lock:
1. Claire Danes, Homeland
Strong Contenders To Return (But Any One Of Them Could Fall)
2. Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
3. Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
4. Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
All Definite Possibilities In Very Packed Category:
5. Kerry Washington, Scandal
6. Robin Wright, House of Cards
7. Keri Russell, The Americans
8. Glenn Close, Damages
9. Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel
10. Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
11. Connie Britton, Nashville
12. Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Best Lead Actor - Drama Series:
The Locks:
1. Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
2. Jon Hamm, Mad Men
3. Damian Lewis, Homeland
The Strong Newbies:
4. Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
5. Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
All Definite Possibilities In Very Packed Category:
6. Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
7. Matthew Rhys, The Americans
8. Michael C. Hall, Dexter
9. Timothy Olyphant, Justified
10. Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
11. Kevin Bacon, The Following
12. Andrew Lincoln, The Walking Dead
Source:
http://www.indiewire.com/article/2013-emmy-award-predictions-the-drama-categories