June 10, 2002

And the Emmy Could Go to:

Leading Drama Actresses Worthy of the Statuette

by Marc Berman

With the annual Emmy nomination ballots mailed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences last Monday, it's time to take a look at the shows and performers worthy of Emmy attention this season. Today's pick: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

-Should Be Nominated:
Jennifer Garner (Alias)
Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer)
Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Annie Potts (Any Day Now)
Sela Ward (Once and Again)

-Probably Will Get Nominated:
Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy)
Jennifer Garner (Alias)
Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer)
Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan)
Sela Ward (Once and Again)

Without favorites Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco in the mix (The Sopranos does not qualify because of its debuted fourth season opener this September), it's time for some new blood in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama category. And no one is more deserving than Sarah Michelle Gellar in UPN's Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, who has led the cast of one of television's most under-appreciated dramas for six years now. While it would be nice to see Annie Potts finally get recognized for Lifetime's recently concluded Any Day Now or the getting better by the week Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU, better picks are Emmy favorite Amy Brenneman, Sela Ward and freshman drama headliners Jennifer Garner and Jill Hennessy. Without Jennifer Garner and Jill Hennessy there is no Alias or Crossing Jordan.

Although predicting Sarah Michelle Gellar as a Lead Actress nominee is a long shot, it's a better pick than Felicity star Keri Russell, whose last chance to grab a nomination is obviously now.

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