Emmy awards 2012: with Breaking Bad v Downton Abbey tight races aboundIs this Breaking Bad's year?Given the academy's love for repeat rewards Mad Men remains the favourite in the drama category despite a relatively bumpy season. If it wins it will be a record-breaking fifth consecutive victory but this is a very tight category. Homeland was a critical and audience favourite (and has won the Golden Globe), Downton Abbey is an academy-pleaser (and has won a best mini-series award last year), and both Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones had strong second seasons. I'd love to see Game of Thrones give the lie to the notion that fantasy can't win Emmys but increasingly the buzz is all about Breaking Bad. Vince Gilligan's dark-hearted yet moral drugs tale has got stronger with every season, and the taut first half of the fifth season is fresh in voters' minds, which could help swing the drama award its way. Even if Breaking Bad doesn't take the main category I expect Bryan Cranston to win best actor for a drama again and Giancarlo Esposito to beat out equally strong turns by Jared Harris and Peter Dinklage in the supporting actor category.
Guardian
