Tituss Burgess, Unbreakble Kimmy Schmidt
Three reasons why this scene-stealer needs a nomination:
1. Baby Slut.
2. Pinot Noir: An ode to black penis.
3. "But I already did something today!"
Yeah, you get it.
Rosario Dawson, Daredevil
Forget Daredevil, where's our Night Nurse series? Rosario Dawson brought a very human element to the superhero show. She was instantly likable and complex and had viewers (us included) saying, "more, please!"
Robert Michael Morris, The Comeback
Valerie Cherish's best gay guy was the emotional core of season two of The Comeback. The zingers were on point, but Mickey's struggle with cancer and the impact it had on Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow, who deserves another nomination for her performance) made us openly weep and then laugh. And then weep. And then laugh!
Sarah Drew, Grey's Anatomy
April, an extremely religious woman, was forced to give birth to her first child prematurely, and we had to watch as she held her newborn son in her arms as he died minutes later due to his rare bone disease, reminding us that even 10 years later, this show can make us cry like children.
Sam Heughan, Outlander
In what was perhaps the bravest performance of the year, Heughan's portrayal of strapping leading man-turned-tortured rape victim floored viewers and critics alike. His ability to accurately portray the devastating after-effects of sexual assault, as well as, on the flip side, some intensely romantic scenes (with TV wife Caitriona Balfe) was stunning.
Laurie Metcalf, Getting On
Sure Laurie Metcalf has won a few Emmys and been nominated for several more, but her work on HBO's wickedly smart comedy has gone unrecognized. This is a crime. Lock up the TV Academy voters because Getting On is great.
Chris Messina, The Mindy Project
Those dance moves. Those red glasses. That stubble. Those lips. That wonderful performance. These are all the reasons Chris Messina deserves an Emmy nomination. Mainly for the last reason listed, but the others help.
Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
It's no small feat personifying a character that book fans have loved for more than two decades, and Balfe's gripping performance as Claire Randall Fraser won over Outlander fans around the world—new and old. Beautiful, fierce and commanding, she's the female breakout star of the season.
Hayley Atwell, Agent Carter
Agent Carter was one of the most fun shows of the season thanks to the effortlessly charming Hayley Atwell. She delivered action, drama, intrigue and all kinds of emotion with ease. In Hayley Atwell we trust.
Constance Wu, Fresh Off the Boat
Constance Wu took what easily could have been a caricature and turned it into something so much more. She slings one-liners like no other.
Vincent D'Onofrio, Daredevil
When you hear "comic book villain," you think of some masked campy killer with powers, right? Vincent D'Onofrio turned that idea on its head with his portrayal of the Kingpin, a sociopathic businessman who is someone to be feared when he gives in to his aggression and rage in loud outbursts...but downright terrifying when he acts quiet and meek and whispers his words, because we know what’s bubbling just below the surface. He also managed to humanize one of the most formidable villains in comic book history by showing Wilson’s blossoming love story with Vanessa, giving in to his vulnerabilities in one moment...and crushing the skull of someone with a car door in the next. Chills.
Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer
It's Amy Schumer's world and we're all living in it. She's taken no prisoners in season three of her hit Comedy Central show with instantly viral sketches on hot button issues that have made the masses take notice.
Tobias Menzies, Outlander
We called him the most hateable man ever on TV...What more do you want? His unflinching brutality and willingness to do ANYTHING on screen deserves recognition.
Robin Lord Taylor, Gotham
It’s clear that Robin Lord Taylor was born to play the Penguin. He made this role his own, transforming it from a meek assistant to a sociopathic crime boss in just one season.
Italia Ricci, Chasing Life
Just watch a clip of the moment that April found out she might only have weeks to live if she doesn't undergo chemo for the second time right away, when she absolutely breaks down and starts taking a sledgehammer to the walls. Then you’ll understand why this actress deserves Emmy recognition for her portrayal of a young woman struggling with balancing her cancer diagnosis and living her life to the fullest.
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Tour de force and Taraji P. Henson are now synonymous. The Empire star made Cookie an iconic character after episode one, which is no easy feat. She needs to snatch that nomination.
Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones
Sansa has always had a rough go of it on Game of Thrones, but this season things took a turn—much to the surprise and downright anger from the audience. Abused, raped, held hostage by her family’s murderers, Sansa has never had things worse, and Sophie Turner shows every emotion—fury, desperation, depression, shock—with a quiet reserve that lets you know everything’s bubbling under the surface, just waiting for the right moment to explode.
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Not only did Gina Rodriguez make us cry every time Jane said or did something truly inspiring onscreen, every time she opened her mouth off screen she had us saying, "Yasss queen!" Smart, mature, well-spoken and truly wise beyond her years, Gina is a star. She’s not the first CW star to get a Golden Globe for nothing!
Kelli Giddish, Law and Order: SVU
When the tough exterior gave way this season, Giddish's Detective Rollins was raw and vulnerable in ways we'd never seen her.
Grant Gustin, The Flash
Never have we seen a superhero more in touch with his emotions than Barry Allen. Every scene he shared with his father in prison or his surrogate dad at work or home, the man tears, both happy and sad, were at an all-time high. And Grant Gustin’s comedic timing? The cherry on top.
Mae Whitman, Parenthood
For six seasons, Mae has slayed us with her naturally endearing and sometimes emotionally gutting portrayal of Lauren Graham's daughter Amber on Parenthood. Her arc in the final year? All. The. Tears. And all the awards, please!
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
The Breaking Bad prequel series may not have been what many viewers were expecting, but Bob Odenkirk was fully committed to showing viewers who Jimmy McGill is and how the journey to become Saul Goodman unfolds with a commanding performance.
Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project
Yes, she's been nominated for six Emmys for her behind-the-scenes work on The Office, but Mindy has never picked up a nomination for any of her work on The Mindy Project. Pick your jaw up from the floor. She's pitch-perfect in front of the camera and her writing remains whip-smart. We're waiting, TV Academy...
Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Sorry Mary Tyler Moore, we're talking about Ellie Kemper now. The effervescent Unbreakable star lit up the screen with earnest charm. She was just perfect in the title role.