'Good Wife' women square off

Kelly Macdonald"Boardwalk Empire" HBOWhy she might win: There have been many layers to Margaret that Macdonald masterfully revealed because the season continued. She demonstrated to become both reliable and conniving, an ideal match for Steve Buscemi's Atlantic City political boss, Nucky Thompson.Not: Clearly the testosterone-fueled men centered the experience on "Boardwalk," and individuals who only saw Macdonald in early episodes might not have seen her turn as an infinitely more nuanced and willfully used widow.Archie Panjabi"The Great Wife" CBSWhy she might win: She surprised many by winning the course this past year, showing that voters found her mysterious character captivating. She added just as much intrigue this time around around and took part in probably the most tension-increased moments within the season with both Scott Porter and Julianna Margulies.Not: It's not only difficult to repeat within this category, it's especially difficult co-starring inside a series where you will find several highly acclaimed supporting gamers who could just like easily win. Christine Baranski"The Great Wife" CBSWhy she might win: A calculating lawyer when she would like to become but additionally someone clearly wanting a existence outdoors work -- think about her romance with Gary Cole -- Baranski's moments in getting a warmth to Diane are frequently the show's best moments.Not: Though Baranski is terrific at offerring lots of emotion without needing to go outrageous, the relative conservatism from the character perform against her. Margo Martindale"Justified" FXWhy she might win: Couple of, if any, supporting gamers started last season like Martindale. Her ferociously protective Magazines Bennett was about ensuring she and her whitened-trash family were taken proper care of while, concurrently, tossing her Kentucky hillbilly community underneath the bus in support of a coal-mining company.Not: It's not hard to create a situation for the "Justified" stars (Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Jeremy Davies), and it may be a stretch to determine voters marking their ballots in excess of one. Michelle Forbes"The Killing" AMCWhy she might win: About midway with the season, Forbes required a Machiavellian turn like a grieving mother reluctant to maneuver up with her existence to some lady seeking revenge, whether someone completely innocent needs to pay for together with his existence.Not: Though clearly no of her doing, Forbes might suffer the slings tossed in the show for how a season ended. When most were expecting the "Who wiped out Rosie Larsen" mystery to wrap, a final-second twist forced the story to transport over, and several fans were left seething.Christina Hendricks"Mad Males" AMCWhy she might win: Hendricks' Joan has lengthy been the bedrock of the items happens in the firm, that is the fledgling Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Hendricks coolly has an informative take a look at what's its enjoy being boys' mother hen and fantasy sex kitten -- all at one time.Perhaps not: The final season started at least a year ago and feels as though a distant memory. Within the interim, many head lines concerning the skein have centered in the negotiating table instead of the performances.Route To THE EMMYS: SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTOR: TV's team playersSupporting Actor - Drama Supporting Actress - Drama Supporting Actor - Comedy Supporting Actress - Comedy Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com