The race for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture and Best Drama includes some fantastic shows and films that have a strong chance of taking home the awards.
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture
Game Change: The HBO film follows the John McCain (Ed Harris) presidential race of 2008 with his running mate Sarah Palin (Julianne Moore). Game Change has claimed several nominations from critics associations, including seven Primetime Emmys (2012), four Satellite Awards (2012) and three Screen Actors Guild Awards (2013). The film has also scored several wins, including an AFI Award (2013), a Monte-Carlo TV Festival Golden Nymph (2012) and five Primetime Emmys (2012). It's nominated for five Golden Globes this year and appears to be a tough contender to take the award in this nomination.
The Girl: Another HBO film, The Girl follows the relationship between famed filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock (Toby Jones) and beautiful actress Tippi Hedren (Sienna Miller). The film has not gotten much buzz or nominations in the past, and only hold one nomination for a Satellite Award (2012) apart from its nominations at the Golden Globes. The Girl received three nominations for the Golden Globes, including Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. With its few accolades, it seems unlikely the film will take this award.
Hatfields & McCoys: The History Channel mini-series following the post-Civil War feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families features a stellar cast, including Kevin Costner ('Devil' Anse Hatfield), Bill Paxton (Randall McCoy) and Matt Barr (Johnse Hatfield). The mini-series received good reviews by the Chicago Sun-Times and mild reviews from the San Francisco Chronicle. Hatfields & McCoys have earned several big nominations, including 11 Primetime Emmys (2012), two Satellite Awards (2012) and two SAG Awards (2013). It also scored five Primetime Emmy wins in 2012. The mini-series is nominated for only two Golden Globes nominations this year and despite its many awards, it does not seem poised to win.
The Hour: Returning nominee The Hour centers on an investigative news program during the Cold War in England and features such cast members as Ben Whishaw (Freddie Lyon), Romola Garai (Bel Rowley) and Dominic West (Hector Madden). The BBC mini-series has received great reviews from the San Francisco Chronicle and the Boston Globe. The Hour has scored several nominations from critics groups, including four BAFTA Awards (2012) and one Primetime Emmy (2012). It has won two Geneva Cinéma Tout Ecran awards (2011) and a Broadcasting Press Guild Award (2012). This is the second year it is nominated for the Golden Globes and boasts of four nominations between 2012 and 2013. Given its return nomination and good reviews, The Hour could finally nab its first Golden Globes win.
Political Animals: The USA political drama is based on former First Lady and current Secretary of State Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver) and her family. Political Animals also features actors Carla Gugino as Susan Berg, James Wolk as Douglas Hammond and Sebastian Stan as T.J. Hammond. The mini-series has snagged three nominations with the Satellite Awards (2012), Screen Actors Guild Awards (2013) and the Writers Guild of America (2013). Political Animals has two nominations at the Golden Globes but seems like an unlikely pick for the category win.
Prediction: The race for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture (TV) seems to be locked between HBO's Game Change and the BBC's The Hour. However, given Game Changes' incredible amount of previous awards and buzz, it is my pick for the win. If not, The Hour is sure to take the award.
Best Television Series- Drama
Breaking Bad: The AMC series features Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a chemistry genius turned high school teacher who must start producing high quality crystal meth to provide for his family after he discovers he has cancer. Breaking Bad also features actors Anna Gunn (Skyler White) and Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman) in the supporting roles. The show has become a top fan favorite in 2012 and counts numerous awards nominations with the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, PGA Awards, Primetime Emmys and the SAG Awards. It also has several awards including four AFI Awards, six Saturn Awards and seven Primetime Emmys. It has been nominated four times for the Golden Globes in the past three years and holds a high chance of taking the award in 2013.
Boardwalk Empire: HBO's Boardwalk Empire follows the life of Atlantic City mobster and politician Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson (Steve Buscemi). The series also features actors Kelly Macdonald as Margaret Schroeder, Michael Shannon as Agent Nelson Van Alden and Shea Whigham as Elias 'Eli' Thompson. The show has been nominated for several awards, including a BAFTA Award (2011), five Monte-Carlo TV Festival Awards (2012), 18 Primetime Emmys (2011 and 2012) and three SAG Awards. It also counts on two AFI Award wins, one Grammy and 12 Primetime Emmy wins. Boardwalk Empire has been nominated six times for the Golden Globes and took home two wins in 2011. Despite its many awards, Boardwalk Empire does not seem like a strong enough contender for the award this year.
Downton Abbey: Season 2: The BBC drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the years leading up to World War I in Britain. The series, which was previously the winner of the Golden Globe award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture (TV) in 2012, boasts of a stellar cast, including Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) and Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham). The show has received rave reviews from critics and has been nominated for several awards. Downton Abbey has won many awards, including two BAFTA Awards (2011) and nine Primetime Emmys (2011 and 2012). It has been nominated for six Golden Globes, not including its win last year. Although not a frontrunner, Downton Abbey could take home the award this year.
Homeland: The Showtime show revolving around a former Marine who is a converted terrorist for al-Qaeda has dominated in the past year and has quickly become the show to watch. Featuring the award-winning performances of Claire Danes (Carrie Mathison) and Damian Lewis (Nicholas Brody), Homeland is the one to beat in this category. The show is the returning champion for the category and has also nabbed nominations with the Primetime Emmys, Satellite Awards and SAG Awards. It also has won numerous awards at the AFI Awards, Primetime Emmys, Satellite Awards and SAG Awards. Homeland has been nominated five times for the Golden Globes, not including its two wins for Best Drama and Best Actress in a Drama last year. Given its incredible popularity and returning champion status, Homeland is definitely poised to lock in this award.
The Newsroom: This HBO series follows a news anchor, Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) who must learn to work with a new team of colleagues on his cable show "News Night." The show features actors Emily Mortimer as MacKenzie McHale and John Gallagher Jr. as Jim Harper. Unlike its fellow nominees, The Newsroom has not always received rave reviews. The show only has a handful of nominations, including two Satellite Awards (2012) and one SAG Award nomination (2013). This year, The Newsroom scored two nominations with the Golden Globes, but seems unlikely to take home the award.
Prediction: It is a tough competition this year for Best Drama with any one of the series up for winning. However, AMC's Breaking Bad and Showtime's Homeland seem like the shows to beat. Given its incredible popularity this past year and its lead as a returning champion, I predict Homeland will take home the Golden Globe this year. The BBC/PBS's Downton Abbey could also take the win this year after last year's win for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.