2016 Golden Globes: Why Kathy Bates, Kristen Wiig, Jean Smart deserve Limited Series Actress nods

We have now made it through all of our Limited Series / TV Movie nominations in our 2016 Golden Globes preview series, which means that there are only a few more categories to go! Over the next couple of days we’ll go through the Supporting fields, which are a little bit convoluted since you are talking about everyone from dramas to miniseries to comedies! We haven’t had honorable mentions in some of these categories, but there will be there.

Today, we’re focusing on the Actress in a Limited Series / TV Movie category. Check out our personal picks for who should get a nod below, and then vote in the attached poll! On December 9 at noon Eastern time (one day before nominations are officially announced), we will put up our results.

Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Hotel” (FX) – There are so many actors on this show that it is hard to constitute a lead, but we feel like Bates has done enough heavy lifting to merit it here. For those who complain that this season has not been the best, we would give you for a look at Bates’ worthiness the scene where she tries to reconcile being given immortality at an age that she feels was relatively close to death to begin with.

Felicity Huffman, “American Crime” (ABC) – Another fantastic performance by someone who we feel has been drastically under-utilized over the course of the past decade. Go ahead and try to mention one not so-great performance that she had. You really can’t, and that is a testament to how she lifts everything surrounding her to another level.

Queen Latifah, “Bessie” (HBO) – We’re not sure how much of a competition this category is going to be this year, given that we think that Latifah is going to be the prohibitive favorite by a pretty wide margin for the award. She completely lost herself in this role, and brought so much heart and power to it. She also has HBO prestige on her side, which certainly never hurts.

Jean Smart, “Fargo” (FX) – A wonderful, different sort of role than what we’re accustomed to both on “Fargo,” and really for any show with a mob component. It may be a little early to call this gripping performance our favorite of Smart’s whole career, but we still feel compelled to do so anyway.

Kristen Wiig, “The Spoils Before Dying” (IFC) – Easily the most unknown of any of the products mentioned here, but if you enjoy Wiig’s work, go take a look at the follow-up to “The Spoilers of Babylon.” Her performance in it continues to be fantastic, and really speaks to not only her range, but her desire to take roles that intrigue her versus just following Hollywood money.