Golden Globes 2016 predictions: A year of the underdogs in TV categories?Jan 9(AZINS) The year 2015 has been phenomenal when it comes to the small screen. The definition of American television has never been more all-encompassing than now. HBO ruled the roost here until the streaming services came in and changed both the game and its rules. The two-way battle between Networks and Cable added competition like Netflix, Amazon, Starz, Hulu— which came in with full force, introducing several original series with stunning quality of content. It has made races at award functions more difficult to predict. I can only imagine how the voters narrowed down the competition to five final contenders. I am having a hard time just picking one clear winner out of the final nominees!

Let's give it a try

Best TV Drama

Empire, Fox
Game of Thrones, HBO
Mr Robot, USA
Narcos, Netflix
Outlander, Starz

Game of Thrones is the biggest contender in this category. The HBO hit drama of kings, castles and dragons won big at the Emmys and, to be honest, fifth season was the best one of the series so far. Empire could be a possible winner. The glam, the music, and especially the unabashed acting by Taraji P Henson can take on any competition there is. Possible underdog here could be Netflix's Narcos.

Prediction - Game of Thrones

Maybe - Empire

Best TV Actress Drama

Caitriona Balfe - Outlander
Viola Davis - How to Get Away with Murder
Eva Green - Penny Dreadful
Taraji P Henson - Empire
Robin Wright - House of Cards

In this category, I see a tough fight between Viola Davis from How to Get Away with Murder and Taraji P Henson from Empire. These ladies have made these shows. They are exciting, they are brilliant, and they both play strong, yet flawed, female characters that we don't often get to see on screen. Caitriona Balfe from Outlander could be the a surprise winner in this category.

Prediction - Viola Davis for How to Get Away with Murder

Maybe - Taraji P Henson for Empire

Best TV Actor Drama

Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Rami Malek - Mr Robot
Wagner Moura - Narcos
Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan

Rami Malek and Wagner Moura surprised everyone with their performances. Malek's paranoia as Elliot Alderson competing with Wagner Moura's flamboyant Escobar. It is hard to pick one. Not to mention Jon Hamm ending his splendid run as Don Draper will have some sentimental value too. Throw Bob Odenkirk in the mix, honestly, there is very little chance of Liev Schreiber taking that the statuette for Ray Donovan this year.

Prediction - Wagner Moura for Narcos

Maybe - Rami Malek for Mr Robot

Best Limited Series

American Crime, ABC
American Horror Story: Hotel, FX
Fargo, FX
Flesh and Bone, Starz
Wolf Hall, PBS

Fargo won it last year and the second season could very well bring in another trophy for FX. American Horror Story: Hotel is in the race because HFPA loves Ryan Murphy. PBS too has a strong contender in Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall. But I will side with Fargo.

Prediction - Fargo FX

Maybe - Wolf Hall PBS

Best Actress in a Limited-Series or TV Movie

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel
Sarah Hay, Flesh and Bone
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Queen Latifah, Bessie

Kristen Dunst and Queen Latifah are the strongest contenders in the final list. Dunst's Peggy Blumquist is one of the finest performances in the gripping black comedy/crime drama. Queen Latifah's Bessie is amazing. Her portrayal of struggle, handling the pain, and handling the fame. The acting is phenomenal. And when you combine it with the singing, we are talking about another level of performance! By now you must have guessed my favourite.

Prediction - Queen Latifah for Bessie

Maybe - Kirsten Dunst for Fargo

Best Actor in a Limited-Series or TV Movie

Idris Elba, Luther
Oscar Isaac, Show Me a Hero
David Oyelowo, Nightingale
Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall
Patrick Wilson, Fargo

This is another category where picking a clear winner will be a real challenge. Luther has garnered critical acclaim. Idris Elba has been universally lauded for his performance. But his challenger, Oscar Isaac stuns as Nick Wasicsko in Show Me a Hero. Isaac holds the screen and does not waiver even when there are lines and lines of dialogues to be delivered. On the other hand, Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall brings to fore a subtle performance. Patrick Wilson for Fargo is another favourite in the category.

Prediction - Oscar Isaac for Show Me a Hero

Maybe - Idris Elba for Luther

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie

Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Regina King, American Crime
Judith Light, Transparent
Maura Tierney, The Affair

Uzo Aduba's Crazy Eyes reached a new height of appreciation from the fans of Orange is the New Black. Her change in the latest season of the series was amazing! Regina King has an Emmy win to get help her bag this one too. Maura Tierney got a lot of exposure in the second season of The Affair but maybe not enough to take the trophy home.

Prediction - Regina King for American Crime

Maybe - Uzo Aduba for Orange is the New Black

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Damien Lewis, Wolf Hall
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Tobias Menzies, Outlander
Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

Ben Mendelsohn's Danny Rayburn causes turmoil in Bloodline. You want to hate that character while wanting to see where he is taking the plot. Damien Lewis' as Henry VIII is desperate and helpless yet selfish at the same time. Alan Cumming has been nominated for his role in The Good Wife for so many times and for so many other awards. But this is his first Golden Globes nomination.

Prediction - Ben Mendelsohn for Bloodline

Maybe - Damier Lewis for Wolf Hall