Finally, a 2015 awards show has decided to acknowledge the acting genius found on Orphan Black. Tatiana Maslany is nominated for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series this year, so what are the actress' chances of winning? This is the most prestigious nomination she's had since the 2014 Golden Globes, but there is still the head-scratcher of why she has yet to be nominated for an Emmy. At least the SAG Awards, which focus specifically on acting and will air Sunday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. on TBS and TNT, have acknowledged this phenomenal leading lady.
Of course, the category she is nominated for is the one of only two that have six nominees instead of the standard five (the other is Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series). But tough odds have never stopped Sarah, Alison, Cosima, Helena, and — yes, even evil clone — Rachel before.
I absolutely adore all of the women Maslany is up against. Claire Danes on Homeland, Viola Davis on How to Get Away with Murder, Julianna Margulies on The Good Wife, Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey, and Robin Wright on House of Cards are some serious acting heavyweights. But I still think Maslany deserves the award over all of them.
No one else is doing what Maslany is doing on TV right now. At minimum, she is typically portraying three different characters in every episode. Not saying everyone else doesn't have impressive roles (I'm partial to Danes's Carrie on Homeland who continues to challenge my emotions — ahh, do I love or hate you, Carrie?!?), but Maslany is literally doing more than all of them — and killin' it.
It's one thing to say, "Oh, she deserves an award because it's the most challenging and unique role on television today," but it's quite another to say, "She deserves an award because it's the most challenging and unique role on television today — and she dominates in it." She excels in staying true to the women and man she is portraying, and the show would just not work if Maslany wasn't so damn good.
The only time I have ever worried about Maslany's performance was when Tony, the transgender clone, entered in Season 2 — but I was quickly impressed. If you ignored the mullet, Maslany's performance as Tony was actually stellar. (I'd also like to give a shout-out to Jordan Gavaris who is brilliant interacting with Maslany's numerous characters as Sarah's adoptive brother Felix.)
Last year, Smith took home the SAG award for the Dowager Countess on Downton. And although no one can dish out the early twentieth century sass quite like her, I don't think she should win again this year. That doesn't mean her subtle wit isn't appreciated — I bust out laughing at her quips — and Violet is more complex than just a snark machine, but the role doesn't seem as challenging as Maslany's. So it's really quite interesting that she was the one to win last year — it makes me doubt that Maslany will be rewarded for her range. Plus, Danes won in 2013, so Maslany is up against two women who have previously won this award.
I honestly don't know if Maslany will win (she wasn't even nominated for Season 1 last year) — I'll be more surprised if she does win than if she doesn't. I just know that I think she should win, but at this point, I'm just thankful that the SAG even recognized her.
So get on it, Emmys! Maslany's snubbing is getting to be just down right unacceptable.
Images: BBC America; clubclone (3), thecloneclub, necroniehaus/Tumblr
