It might be time to separate acting categories for movies and limited series

You want another sign – besides your DVR being at full capacity – that there’s too much good TV right now?

Take a look at the number of actors vying for the lead Emmy in a limited series or movie this year. You could fill out a great ballot with just Englishmen. And a lot of voters probably will. If Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen join forces in “The Dresser” to do some of the best work in their distinguished careers, nobody’s going to deny them an invitation to the party. They’re knights, for heaven’s sake.

After restoring separate categories for movies and limited series two years ago, the Television Academy might need to think hard about going a step further and doing the same for the corresponding actors and actresses. Or, at the very least, add another nomination slot. Because right now, it’s too big a crush. There are going to be some seriously hurt feelings this year.

LIMITED SERIES

“The People v. O.J. Simpson”

“Fargo”

“Roots”

“American Crime”

“The Night Manager”

Analysis: What was the bigger accomplishment for “Fargo”? Making a limited series that was spiritually true to the Coen brothers’ classic movie or returning with a sublime second season that managed to surpass the excellence of the initial year?

“Fargo” won’t be the only familiar anthology series returning, with ABC’s tough-minded “American Crime” likely to score another nomination as well. “O.J.” and “Roots” are certainties, both of them critical and commercial hits. And AMC’s engrossing, escapist spy thriller “The Night Manager” figures to earn the fifth spot, though David Simon’s excellent HBO miniseries about public housing, “Show Me a Hero,” should draw serious support as well.

LEAD ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Bryan Cranston, “All the Way”

Courtney B. Vance, “The People v. O.J. Simpson”

Anthony Hopkins, “The Dresser”

Ian McKellen, “The Dresser”

Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride”

Idris Elba, “Luther”

Analysis: So who are we leaving out? Oh, just Tom Hiddleston’s suave spy in “The Night Manager” (a fine audition for 007) and Oscar Isaac’s mesmerizing turn as the Yonkers mayor in “Show Me a Hero.” And don’t get us started on how Patrick Wilson hit every small beat in “Fargo” just right. Subdued brilliance deserves awards recognition too, don’tcha know. Whoever gets nominated will be deserving. (Unless it’s Bill Murray from “A Very Murray Christmas.” Yes, everyone loves Murray, but that holiday special was just a bit too self-indulgent for its own good.)

LEAD ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Sarah Paulson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson”

Kirsten Dunst, “Fargo”

Kerry Washington, “Confirmation”

Felicity Huffman, “American Crime”

Audra McDonald, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill”

Lili Taylor, “American Crime”

Analysis: Paulson, nominated each of the last four years, is likely heading to the winner’s circle for the first time for the way she humanized prosecutor Marcia Clark in “O.J.” If you weren’t on Clark’s side before this miniseries, you were fully on board after watching it.

I think the other five women listed above will earn nods too, though Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose could well be nominated for her strong, lived-in turn as Kunta Kinte’s daughter in “Roots.” And why didn’t PBS submit 17-time Emmy nominee Angela Lansbury for portraying the title character in “Driving Miss Daisy”? The women playing this role have already won an Oscar and an Obie. Lansbury wouldn’t have won, but a nomination was within reach.

MORE:

Anthony Hopkins avoided being consumed by the stage, unlike his ‘The Dresser’ character

Ian McKellen tackles the many layers of the complicated title role in ‘The Dresser’

‘People vs. O.J.’s’ Sterling K. Brown dived headlong into the glove scene: ‘I was livid’

Felicity Huffman found her ‘American Crime’ character through research — and Spanx

Kirsten Dunst sees an ‘Orange Is the New Black’ future for her ‘Fargo’ character

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