The race for Best Actress in a Drama is filled with several fierce contenders, a returning champion and a nominee that has been nominated in this category three years in a row.
Connie Britton: Nashville: The Boston native is nominated for her role as Rayna Jaymes in the hit ABC drama Nashville. Britton has starred in a number of films and TV shows, but is perhaps best known for her roles in Friday Night Lights (2006), A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) and American Horror Story: Asylum (2011). The 45-year-old has been nominated for several awards, including three Primetime Emmys (2010-2012), a Satellite Award (2011) and two Television Critics Association Awards (2007-2008). She has also won a Satellite Award for her work in Friday Night Lights in 2010. This is her first Golden Globes nomination. Despite the initial success of Nashville, it appears to have lost its steam and could cost Britton the award.
Glenn Close: Damages: The 65-year-old Connecticut local is nominated for her role as Patty Hewes in the former FX TV series Damages. Close has also starred in several TV shows and films, including Dangerous Liaisons (1988), Air Force One (1997) and Tarzan (1999). The prolific actress has been nominated for numerous awards, including six Academy Awards (1983-1985, 1988-1989 and 2012), a BAFTA Film Award (1990), 11 Primetime Emmys (1984, 1991,1993, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004-2005, 2008-2010 and 2012) and seven SAG Awards (1996, 1998, 2008 and 2010-2012). She has also won a number awards, including three Primetimes Emmys (1995 and 2008-2009), a SAG Award (2005) and a Star on the Walk of Fame (2009). Close is an 11-time Golden Globes nominee and two-time winner. The actress will prove to be a tough contender for the award this year.
Claire Danes: Homeland: Returning champion Claire Danes is again nominated for her role as Carrie Mathison in the hit Showtime show of 2012 Homeland. The New York City native has starred in a number of TV shows and some choice films, but is perhaps best known for her work on My So-Called Life (1994-1995), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Stardust (2007). The veteran actress has several award nominations under her belt, including a Monte-Carlo TV Festival Golden Nymph (2010), a Primetime Emmy (1995) and three SAG Awards (2003 and 2013). Danes has also won numerous awards, including two Primetime Emmys (2010 and 2012) and a SAG Award (2011). She has one Golden Globes nomination this year and three past wins (1995, 2011 and 2012). Given the tremendous success of Homeland and her previous win in this category, Danes is a definite frontrunner.
Michelle Dockery: Downton Abbey: Season 2: The British actress is nominated for her performance as Lady Mary Crawley in the PBS/BBC drama series Downton Abbey. Dockery, who began acting just a few years ago, is also known for her work in the films Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974 (2009) and Hanna (2011). The 31-year-old has several nominations to her name, including two Monte-Carlo TV Festival Golden Nymphs (2011-2012), a Primetime Emmy (2012), a Satellite Award (2012) and two SAG Awards (2013). This is her first Golden Globes nomination, but it's not likely to be her last. Despite Downton Abbey's popularity, Dockery remains largely unknown in the Hollywood circuit, which could end up hurting her chances to win this award. However, she should not be completely discounted in the race.
Julianna Margulies: The Good Wife: The New York native and returning nominee is nominated for her role as Alicia Florrick in the CBS drama series The Good Wife. A seasoned actress in film and TV, Margulies has acted in such shows and films as ER (1994-2009), Snakes on a Plane (2006) and The Sopranos (2006-2007). Margulies, a highly decorated actress, has received nominations in the Monte-Carlo TV Festival (2012), Primetime Emmys (1996-2000, 2010 and 2012), and SAG Awards (1995-1996, 2000-2001, and 2010-2013). She has won two Primetime Emmys (1995 and 2011) and six SAG Awards (1996-1999 and 2010-2011). The 46-year-old actress is a nine-time Golden Globes nominee and one-time recipient of the award. She has been nominated three years straight in the same category and may be due an award.
Prediction: The contenders for Best Actress in a Drama are all viable options for the award, however, some do not carry the appeal frontrunners Claire Danes and Julianna Margulies hold in this category. Despite her win last year, I predict that Danes will not be the winner this year but will instead be surpassed by Julianna Margulies. However, it is important to keep an eye out for Michelle Dockery and her work with Downton Abbey.