This year’s field may end up looking a lot like last year’s. Watch for the 2005 winner, William Shatner of ABC’s “Boston Legal,” to be a formidable contender again, along with fellow 2005 nominees Oliver Platt of Showtime’s “Huff” and Terry O’Quinn of ABC’s “Lost.” But a deep talent pool leaves this category wide open. “The ensemble casts in great dramas are so strong it’s going to be hard to narrow down the field,” said TV Guide’s Matt Roush.
TVWeek‘s Emmy Panel
Matt Roush, senior TV critic for TV Guide
Diane Gordon, author of the television e-mail newsletter The Surf Report
Tim Brooks, executive VP of research for Lifetime
Ray Solley, program development consultant
Panelists’ Predictions
William Shatner, ‘Boston Legal’ (ABC)
Oliver Platt, ‘Huff’ (Showtime)
Terry O’Quinn, ‘Lost’ (ABC)
T.R. Knight, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (ABC)
Forest Whitaker, ‘The Shield’ (FX)
TelevisionWeek Staff Picks
Gregory Itzin, ’24’ (Fox)
Bradley Whitford, ‘The West Wing’ (NBC)
William Shatner, ‘Boston Legal’ (ABC)
Oliver Platt, ‘Huff’ (Showtime)
Joseph Gannascoli, ‘The Sopranos’ (HBO)
2005 Contenders
Winner: William Shatner, ‘Boston Legal’ (ABC)
Other Nominees:
Oliver Platt, ‘Huff’ (Showtime)
Naveen Andrews, ‘Lost’ (ABC)
Terry O’Quinn, ‘Lost’ (ABC)
Alan Alda, ‘The West Wing’ (NBC)