It's Emmy season. It's time to commemorate the best shows on television and the teams that make them so captivating year in and year out. As television slowly takes over the way we consume motion picture, the Emmy's hold more weight will every passing year. Certain shows generate mass followings that rely on weekly episodes to get them through the week. They spark constant conversation about what's in store for the following week's episode or the pivotal characters. There's an element of suspense and longevity that feature films fail to capture. There's a magic to television and the Primetime Emmy's are the perfect opportunity to celebrate it. So as we gear up for yet another annual ceremony, here are the nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series along with our predictions.
Vera Farmiga ("Bates Motel"): An Oscar-nominated and award-winning actress, Vera Farmiga continues to captivate audiences with her ability to embody each of her diverse and engaging roles.
Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey"): Michelle Dockery recently landed on the cover of "Vanity" Fair with several of television's top actresses, a testimony to her blossoming career thanks to her role as Lady Mary Crawley, the center of the most intensely watched romance in "Downton Abbey."
Claire Danes ("Homeland"): Danes currently stars on Showtime's critically acclaimed series "Homeland." For her performance as Carrie Mathison she has won back to back Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama, a 2013 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and the 2012 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Robin Wright ("House of Cards"): Robin Wright stars as Claire Underwood, the ambitious wife of House Majority Whip, Francis Underwood, who will stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy, in the Netflix original series "House of Cards."
Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men"): Elisabeth Moss's portrayal of Peggy Olson on "Mad Men" has garnered her three Emmy Award nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, and two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, as well as an Emmy Award nomination for outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Connie Britton ("Nashville"): Three-time Emmy-nominated Connie Britton continually receives nods for her work in television and film. After stand-out roles on series such as "Spin City," "24" and "The West Wing," she starred on one of the best reviewed shows on television, NBC's "Friday Night Lights," for which she received Emmy nominations in 2010 and 2011.
Kerry Washington ("Scandal"): Kerry Washington is a versatile actress who continues to shine in all platforms. A native of The Bronx, Washington has received high acclaim for her work on stage, on television and on film.
Prediction: Elisabeth Moss. Moss's Peggy on "Mad Men" has continued to grow as one of the most intriguing and complex characters on the show. In this past season, upon joining forces with Don once again, she took her character to new levels of strength, persistence and emotional depth. Every season she manages to hold dear her defining traits from early seasons while taking on new trying circumstances as Peggy struggles to find herself and pinpoint what makes her happy. It's been a long time coming, but this yet could be Moss's year.