2016 Golden Globes: Wes Bentley, Patrick Wilson, Colin Farrell compete for Limited Series actor prize

There are often muddy waters surrounding many TV awards shows, and the same can be said for the Golden Globes. For example, what is a Limited Series versus a regular series, and what is a lead actor versus a supporting actor? We think all of these are interested in looking at the latest edition of our daily series today: Actor in a Limited Series / TV Movie. At least two of these people probably could have submitting as Supporting, and at least two of these shows could be considered Drama Series rather than Limited ones.

Anyway, enough talk of semantics. Look below for what our ballot of nominees would be if voting ended today, and then share your picks in the poll! Note that we have yet to see Idris Elba’s performance in the upcoming “Luther,” and therefore we cannot consider him at this time.

Wes Bentley, “American Horror Story: Hotel” (FX) – We feel like there is almost a mis-characterization of “Hotel” as being the story of the Countess, given that to us the story is more fascinating through the lens of Lowe, an emotionally haunted detective who starts to become even more haunted in the literal sense. We don’t necessarily think that “Hotel” is a great season, but his scenes are the most compelling in that they provide you with that necessary perspective of normalcy.

Colin Farrell, “True Detective” (HBO) – Nothing with “True Detective” season 2 was Farrell’s fault. his character of Ray Velcoro was probably the one man on the show you really wanted to see get his you-know what together, mostly because you could see that he carried that potential for goodness within him. He just never allowed himself to fully tap into it, and it was one of the reasons, coupled with working with the wrong people and being too quick to turn to violence, that led to his demise.

Timothy Hutton, “American Crime” (ABC) – “Powerful” is the right word here. Hutton is one many outstanding performers on this show, which really took crime to a different place than it is typically is on TV: A human place. His performance cemented most of what we knew about him already in terms of skill, and it explored layers of guilt, hope, sadness, and pain within what was a relatively limited order of episodes.

Mark Rylance, “Wolf Hall” (PBS) – As we noted in chronicling the Limited Series / TV Movie category itself earlier this week, this is unfortunately not a product that is particularly well-known in America. Yet, Rylance and Damian Lewis are among the most rock-solid performers you are going to find, and they inject so much more life and spirit into this than you are going to find almost anywhere else.

Patrick Wilson, “Fargo” (FX) – We loved Lou Solverson as a character before this season even began, thanks mostly to Keith Carradine in the first season. With this role, though, Wilson has managed to inject even more personality and enjoyment, and has given us someone who is not only well-developed and fantastic, but a thrill to watch. Given how large this particular cast is this season, we like to think that this nomination means more.