2012 Critics' Choice TV Awards Nominees: 'Downton Abbey' Vies for Best Drama Series

The PBS period drama fights against the likes of 'Game of Thrones' and 'Mad Men' for the coveted prize, while NBC's comedy 'Community' gets the most nominations with six.

---

The Broadcast Television Journalists Association has unveiled the nominees for the second annual Critics' Choice Television Awards. The list sees a stiff competition in the Best Drama Series category, with "Downton Abbey", "Game of Thrones", "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad", "The Good Wife" and "Homeland" as the contenders.

Meanwhile, topping the nominations is "Community" with six. The NBC show faces off "The Big Bang Theory", "Modern Family", "Parks and Recreation" as well as newcomers "Girls" and "New Girl" for the Best Comedy Series award. Additionally, "Community" cast members Joel McHale, Jim Rash, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie and Gillian Jacobs land a nomination each.

In Best Movie/Miniseries category, "American Horror Story" comes out as one of the nominees. Its rivals include "Luther", "Sherlock" and "Game Change". As for "Hatfields & McCoys" which recently drew a big number of viewers for History Channel, it helps Kevin Costner to snatch a nomination for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.

The nods received by "Community" helps NBC to become the most nominated broadcast network with 14. ABC trails with 13, while FOX nabs 12 nominations. In cable networks, HBO dominates the pack with 12, while FX follows close behind with 11.

Joey Berlin, acting president of BTJA, says the nominated shows reflect "the amazing diversity and creativity that is exploding on the small screen today." The winners will be announced in a gala set to take place Monday, June 18 in Beverly Hills.

Full nomination list of 2012 Critics' Choice TV Awards:

Best Drama Series:

• "Breaking Bad" - AMC
• "Downton Abbey" - PBS
• "Game of Thrones" - HBO
• "The Good Wife" - CBS
• "Homeland" - Showtime
• "Mad Men" - AMC

Best Actor in a Drama Series:

• Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" - AMC
• Kelsey Grammer, "Boss" - Starz
• Jon Hamm, "Mad Men" - AMC
• Charlie Hunnam, "Sons of Anarchy" - FX
• Damian Lewis, "Homeland" - Showtime
• Timothy Olyphant, "Justified" - FX

Best Actress in a Drama Series:

• Claire Danes, "Homeland" - Showtime
• Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey" - PBS
• Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife" - CBS
• Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men" - AMC
• Emmy Rossum, "Shameless" - Showtime
• Katey Sagal, "Sons of Anarchy" - FX

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

• Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones" - HBO
• Giancarlo Esposito, "Breaking Bad" - AMC
• Neal McDonough, "Justified" - FX
• John Noble, "Fringe" - FOX
• Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad" - AMC
• John Slattery, "Mad Men" - AMC

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife" - CBS
• Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad" - AMC
• Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men" - AMC
• Regina King, "Southland" - TNT
• Kelly Macdonald, "Boardwalk Empire" - HBO
• Maggie Siff, "Sons of Anarchy" - FX

Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series:

• Dylan Baker, "Damages" - DirecTV
• Jere Burns, "Justified" - FX
• Loretta Devine, "Grey's Anatomy" - ABC
• Lucy Liu, "Southland" - TNT
• Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife" - CBS
• Chloe Webb, "Shameless" - Showtime

Best Reality Series:

• "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" - Travel Channel
• "Hoarders" - A&E
• "Sister Wives" - TLC
• "Kitchen Nightmares" - FOX
• "Pawn Stars" - History
• "Undercover Boss" - CBS

Best Reality Series - Competition:

• "The Pitch" - AMC
• "Shark Tank" - ABC
• "So You Think You Can Dance" - FOX
• "The Voice" - NBC
• "Chopped" - Food Network
• "The Amazing Race" - CBS

Best Reality Show Host:

• Tom Bergeron, "Dancing with the Stars" - ABC
• Nick Cannon, "America's Got Talent" - NBC
• Cat Deeley, "So You Think You Can Dance" - FOX
• Phil Keoghan, "The Amazing Race" - CBS
• RuPaul, "RuPaul's Drag Race" - Logo

Best Talk Show:

• "Conan" - TBS
• "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" - Comedy Central
• "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" - NBC
• "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" - ABC
• "The View" - ABC

Best Comedy Series:

• "The Big Bang Theory" - CBS
• "Community" - NBC
• "Girls" - HBO
• "Modern Family" - ABC
• "New Girl" - FOX
• "Parks and Recreation" - NBC

Best Actor in a Comedy Series:

• Don Cheadle, "House of Lies" - Showtime
• Louis C.K., "Louie" - FX
• Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - HBO
• Garret Dillahunt, "Raising Hope" - FOX
• Joel McHale, "Community" - NBC
• Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" - CBS

Best Actress in a Comedy Series:

• Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl" - FOX
• Lena Dunham, "Girls" - HBO
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" - HBO
• Martha Plimpton, "Raising Hope" - FOX
• Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation" - NBC
• Ashley Rickards, "Awkward" - MTV

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

• Ty Burrell, "Modern Family" - ABC
• Max Greenfield, "New Girl" - FOX
• Nick Offerman, "Parks and Recreation" - NBC
• Danny Pudi, "Community" - NBC
• Jim Rash, "Community" - NBC
• Damon Wayans, Jr., "Happy Endings" - ABC

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy:

• Julie Bowen, "Modern Family" - ABC
• Alison Brie, "Community" - NBC
• Cheryl Hines, "Suburgatory" - ABC
• Gillian Jacobs, "Community" - NBC
• Eden Sher, "The Middle" - ABC
• Casey Wilson, "Happy Endings" - ABC

Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series:

• Becky Ann Baker, "Girls" - HBO
• Bobby Cannavale, "Modern Family" - ABC
• Kathryn Hahn, "Parks and Recreation" - NBC
• Justin Long, "New Girl" -FOX
• Paul Rudd, "Parks and Recreation" - NBC
• Peter Scolari, "Girls" - HBO

Best Animated Series:

• "Archer" - FX
• "Adventure Time" - Cartoon Network
• "Bob's Burgers" - FOX
• "Family Guy" - FOX
• "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - Cartoon Network

Best Movie/Miniseries:

• "American Horror Story" - FX
• "Luther" - BBC America
• "Sherlock" - PBS
• "Page Eight" - PBS
• "The Hour" - BBC America
• "Game Change" - HBO

Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries:

• Benedict Cumberbatch, "Sherlock" - PBS
• Bill Nighy, "Page Eight" - PBS
• Woody Harrelson, "Game Change" - HBO
• Idris Elba, "Luther" - BBC America
• Dominic West, "The Hour" - BBC America
• Kevin Costner, "Hatfields & McCoys" - History

Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries:

• Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story" - FX
• Gillian Anderson, "Great Expectations" - PBS
• Julianne Moore, "Game Change" - HBO
• Patricia Clarkson, "Five" - Lifetime
• Lara Pulver, "Sherlock" - PBS
• Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult" - Sundance

© AceShowbiz.com

---

---

---