Sorry, “Homeland”! With the addition of “House of Cards,” “The Americans,” “Bates Motel” and many others, this may be the most competitive awards year ever.
Emmy voters don’t have it easy. This year, the pool of contenders comprise the most variety ever — upward of 100 series across as many categories — among cable and broadcast. Sure, the stalwarts are still in the game — AMC’s Breaking Bad, HBO’s Game of Thrones, Showtime’s Homeland, ABC’s Modern Family, CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, to name a few — but will they yield to these 10 newcomers? And can they break through the glut of competition?
The Americans (FX)
➺ With Justified past its Emmy-novelty prime and Sons of Anarchy snubbed since, well, its 2008 debut, FX is hanging all its Emmy drama hopes on former CIA agent Joe Weisberg’s 1980s-set Russian spy thriller. The series had one of the most impressive debuts of the year as well as consistent grit from its excellent cast that includes Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell and 2011 Emmy winner Margo Martindale.
