Claire Danes, Homeland
Why She Will Be Nominated: If you even have to ask, we demand you stop reading this, immediately marathon all of Homeland's outstanding first season and then come back to straight-up gush over Danes' performance with us. Trust us, it's for your own good.
Why She Won't Be: Does. Not. Compute.
Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries
Why She Will Be Nominated: Most actresses her age can barely handle one character, but Dobrev, 23, masterfully handles two roles—the compassionate teenager Elena and hell on heels vampire Katherine—and can break your heart with a single teary-eyed glance. Plus, she is the best underwater actress ever (see: TVD's season-three finale).
Why She Won't Be: The Vampire Diaries is on the CW aka Emmy vervaine/wolfsbane.
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Why She Will Be Nominated: She's on Downton Abbey, the show TV critics are currently living and breathing by.
Why She Won't Be: Compared to some of the other potential nominees, we're not sure Dockery showed enough range in season two to warrant a nomination.
Mireilles Enos, The Killing
Why She Will Be Nominated: Despite some flaws with the show, the haunting Enos has been nothing short of phenomenal as the dark and moody Linden, a detective obsessed with solving the case of a murdered teen.
Why She Won't Be: The intense backlash the AMC series has suffered since its season-one finale might hurt Enos' chances of earning her second nod.
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Why She Will Be Nominated: One word (or episode, actually): "Blackwater." Headey's portrayal of Cersei in the action-packed hour was so spectacular it outshined the battle scenes.
Why She Won't Be: We're not sure Headey logged enough screen time this season (there are about 2,341 other characters on the HBO hit series after all) to make a lasting impression in voters' minds.
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Why She Will Be Nominated: Um, she's Julianna freakin' Margulies, that's why.
Why She Won't Be: Unles she egged every single Emmy voter's car, we're pretty sure Margulies is as close to a shoo-in as one gets.
Jennifer Morrison, Once Upon a Time
Why She Will Be Nominated: Morrison handled Emma's many layers (vulnerable, tough, damaged, protective, badass, etc.) in the ABC hit's freshman season with ease, and, to borrow one of Justin Bieber's favorite phases, a certain kind of swagger.
Why She Won't Be: Once Upon a Time, while hopeful and inspiring, isn't exactly on the same level as critical darlings such as Mad Men, Game of Thrones and others. Plus, the leading ladies on Revenge have garnered more attention.
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Why She Will Be Nominated: She's arguably the most beloved actresses playing one of the most beloved characters on one of TV's most beloved shows ever.
Why She Won't Be: Moss didn't really have a standout moment à la season four's near-perfect "The Suitcase." Plus, she'll face stiff competition from costars Christina Hendricks and Jessica Paré.
Emmy Rossum, Shameless
Why She Will Be Nominated: Rossum proved her breakout performance on the Showtime series' last year wasn't a fluke thanks to her scene-stealing second season work as a long-suffering daughter who does everything to hold her family together.
Why She Won't Be: She was snubbed last year, so unless the Academy suddenly realized the error of their ways and see how awesome she is, they'll probably miss her again.
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Why She Will Be Nominated: Sagal's Golden Globe win last year for her portayal of Gemma could give her a leg up on the competition.
Why She Won't Be: Despite rave reviews for her performance on the FX fan favorite, she's never been nominated. Seriously. Seems like the Emmys have a Sons of Anarchy-related allergy.
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Why She Will Be Nominated: Sedgwick has been an awards-show staple since The Closer debuted, earning five Emmy nods for her work as Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. With the TNT hit coming to an end this year, Sedgwick may want to start preparing a speech now.
Why She Won't Be: Though she won in 2010, Sedgwick was left off the ballot last year. Could voters be suffering from The Closer fatigue?
Madeleine Stowe, Revenge
Why She Will Be Nominated: If looks could kill, Victoria Grayson would be a mass-murderer. Stowe was so chilling as the Grayson family matriarch, we had to wear a sweater while watching the ABC breakout hit just to brave her withering glares.
Why She Won't Be: Stowe and her costar Emily VanCamp may end up splitting the vote, leaving both women out of the running.
Anna Torv, Fringe
Why She Will Be Nominated: Like Dobrev, Torv seamlessly plays two characters on the Fox cult favorite, and the subtle differences between Olivia and Alt-Olivia are nothing short of genius.
Why She Won't Be: If it hasn't happened by now (for Torv or costar John Noble), it's never gonna happen. Le sigh. Embrace the sci-fi goodness, Emmy voters!
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Why She Will Be Nominated: All hail, Olivia Pope! We don't think any other actress could handle Shonda Rhimes' complicated, fast-talking, take no prisoners leading lady; Washington is simply sensational.
Why She Won't Be: Scandal only had a seven-episode first season, which we don't think gave voters enough time with Washington to earn her a nod. Here's looking at you, 2013!
MORE: Vote for your favorite in our Emmy Contender Poll for Actor in a Drama Series!