Actors are giving “Boardwalk Empire” the credit it deserves.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations righted some Emmy wrongs Wednesday, most notably by giving nominations to HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” and star Steve Buscemi that they were denied in the corresponding Emmy Awards categories last year.
Also read: SAG Awards Nominees: The Complete List
SAG voters nominated “Boardwalk” for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Buscemi was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series.
That recognition came at a cost — most notably to “Mad Men.” The drama was denied an ensemble nomination, and Jon Hamm was denied a lead nomination. The Emmys nominated “Mad Men” for Outstanding Drama Series and Hamm for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
“Mad Men” and Hamm have been nominated five times each in their SAG categories, and “Mad Men” won for best ensemble in 2009 and 2010 — so SAG may have felt it was time to give someone else a chance.
Also read: ‘Boardwalk Empire’ Kills Its Best Character
SAG also denied an ensemble nomination to “House of Cards,” though it did recognize Emmy-nominated lead actor Kevin Spacey, who also received a drama nomination. In the case of “Downton Abbey,” it took the reverse approach, honoring the ensemble cast but not Emmy-nominated lead actor Hugh Bonneville. Both “Cards” and “Abbey” were nominated for Outstanding Drama Series.
It’s possible none of this will matter: “Breaking Bad” looks like a heavy favorite for ensemble, and lead actor Bryan Cranston is the man to beat in SAG’s lead actor category. Last year he won two SAG awards: One for “Breaking Bad,” and one for being part of the “Argo” ensemble. “Breaking Bad” won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series this year, though Cranston was denied a fourth lead actor win. Jeff Daniels, who also received a SAG nomination, won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy for “The Newsroom.”
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One show that didn’t seem to woo SAG voters was HBO’s “Girls.” Despite racking up Emmy nominations, the show has never been nominated for a SAG award.
Hey, you can’t win ’em all. And no nominating group, from SAG to the TV academy to the Golden Globes, ever manages to hand out nominations without some raised eyebrows and shaking heads along the way.
But it’s nice to see the praise spread around, especially after a strong run for “Boardwalk.”