2012 Emmy nominees: Hudson Valley's leading ladies

Tuesday September 18, 2012 2:00 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: CBS | Julianna Marguiles in "The Good Wife". The series has been nominated for an Emmy award in the best drama category.

Leading up to the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, airing on Sunday, Sept. 23 on ABC, Hudson Buzz will preview the Emmy races that feature stars with hometown roots. Today, Newsday Westchester analyzes the Hudson Valley's leading ladies. If you missed our coverage of the region's emerging, Emmy-nominated comedy stars, click here.

The Hudson Valley has been home to many powerful women, including three A-list actresses who have already won their share of hardware for their work on television.

Northern Westchester resident Glenn Close and Spring Valley native Juianna Margulies are among those vying for the lead actress in a drama Emmy. Close, who just wrapped her final season of "Damages," is up for her previous season's performance, due to timing eligibility constraints. Margulies is up for her work on the CBS drama, "The Good Wife."

Margulies is a two-time Emmy winner, once for her contribution to "The Good Wife," and previously for her work on "ER." But don't count out Close in this category. In addition to already winning two Emmys for her performance on "Damages," Emmy voters notoriously honor critically acclaimed series after they go off the air, and the actors who thrived on them. They'll be up against Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey"), Kathy Bates ("Harry's Law"), Claire Danes ("Homeland") and Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men").

Moss, for whatever reason, was snubbed for her performance in "The Suitcase" episode of "Mad Men" during a previous Emmy ceremony, so she's a longshot. Bates did everything she could with the scripts on "Harry's Law," but she'd be winning for her name alone. Danes has earned raves on "Homeland," and Hollywood always loves a British import ("Downton Abbey"), but look to Close emerge with the statue here. (Who's the best of the bunch? Vote in our poll below.)

In the comedy category, you'll find the multitalented Edie Falco, a Purchase College alumna who's won four Emmy Awards — three in drama ("The Sopranos") and one for comedy ("Nurse Jackie"). She's up once again for her work in Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," and she'll be facing off against Lena Dunham ("Girls"), Melissa McCarthy ("Mike & Molly"), Zooey Deschanel ("New Girl"), Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation"), Tina Fey ("30 Rock") and Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep").

This category is nearly impossible to call. Falco's won it for a show that's far more dramatic than hilarious. McCarthy's infectious, all-in performances warranted a win for her as well, although voters were probably watching "Bridesmaids" when they voted. Poehler's performance was probably this season's best among nominees, but her outstanding show is the tree falling in the woods, and she'll likely split votes with Fey and Louis-Dreyfus due to a similar comedy style. Deschanel's infectious, bubbly attitude is hard to resist, but I'm thinking a different new girl is in line for the win this year: Dunham's work, both on screen and behind the scenes, could mean a shiny trophy come Sunday.

Tomorrow, Newsday Westchester will look into Emmy-nominated late-night laughs, taking a closer look at both the star of one show and a man who's guided it from the beginning.

Tags: Bedford , Glenn Close , Emmys , TV , Damages , Spring Valley , Julianna Marguiles , The Good Wife , Edie Falco , Nurse Jackie , Westchester , Rockland