2013 Critics’ Choice TV Awards: ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘The Newsroom’ guest actors shine

For our final chapter of the Critics’ Choice TV Awards preview series we’re going to be talking guest actors, and when it comes to drama, there were definitely some stellar ones this year. It’s also an interesting category just when you look at the scope of it. There are legal dramas, fantasy epics, action shows, and of course the fast-paced writing of Aaron Sorkin (which actors deserve credit for simply due to keeping up with the scripts).

As we said with our comedy guest actors piece, we’re not doing the “surprises” and “snubs” sections, given that there are way too many to choose from. So for now, enjoy the article, and be sure to vote for who you think will win in the poll below.

If you want to check out the rest of our preview series, including predictions for the major categories, you can do so here.

The nominees – Jim Beaver, “Justified” (FX), Jane Fonda, “The Newsroom” (HBO), Martha Plimpton and Carrie Preston, “The Good Wife” (CBS), Diana Rigg (“Game of Thrones”), Jimmy Smits (“Sons of Anarchy”)

Who should win – For us, this is a two-person race between Smits and Fonda. One had a huge role on a season, the other relatively small. This is what makes this category so difficult! While we loved Jane’s Leona Lansing whenever she appeared, we have to say that Smits’ physical and emotional transformation into Nero was simply outstanding and helped make “Sons of Anarchy” season 5 the beast of a show that it was.

Who will win – Fonda is a safe bet here due to star power, but our guess is that voters will continue to recognize that “The Good Wife” is a haven for great guest stars, and Preston was the cream of the crop this year. Her role was so meaty, it’s almost easy to forget that she has another full-time job over on “True Blood.”

Photo: Critics’ Choice TV Awards