Emmys 2016: Should Rami Malek, Matthew Rhys, or Bob Odenkirk win Best Actor in a Drama Series?

For this year, there is no Jon Hamm around to be nominated for an Emmy in the Actor in a Drama Series category. “Breaking Bad” has been over for some time, and there is no Bryan Cranston. Meanwhile, you’ve got no Jeff Daniels — which basically means that for the first time in forever, this category is open for almost anyone to win. Everyone below is qualified in their own way, but we’ll go ahead and say that this is the first category we’ve specifically spotlighted since the nominations came out where there is a clear favorite.

Who is it? Read on to find out, that is if you haven’t guessed already.

The nominees

Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline” (Netflix)

Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot” (USA)

Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul” (AMC)

Matthew Rhys, “The Americans” (FX)

Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan” (Showtime)

Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” (Netflix)

Analyzing the field – At this point, Spacey and Schreiber are venturing into Hamm territory where they will be nominated almost every year most likely without scoring many wins in this category. Chandler is good, but we’re not sure enough viewers have seen “Bloodline.” This leaves to us Malek, Odenkirk, and Rhys as the real contenders.

What should win – Rami Malek, almost with no hesitation. It is no slight to the other performers, but he took one of the most challenging characters / narrators of the past year in Elliot Alderson and made him human. He was passionate, haunting, frightening, and yet caring. Malek poured his soul into this man, and if you look at the void this show would be without him, his place in the pantheon of performances is warranted.

What will win – It’s going to be Malek, but it may be closer than some expect. While the Emmys don’t often recognize shows in the early seasons, there’s just too great a performance here to ignore. Odenkirk could still have his due if “Better Call Saul” moves more into the Gene era, while “The Americans” biggest undoing may be the sole that that even with a groundswell of support, not enough voters are aware of the show.

Who do you think should win?

Photo: AMC