Bryan Cranston

As Judge Michael Desiato in the premium cable 10-parter, Cranston took on a type of character that the HFPA has previously honored him for: the well-meaning family man who breaks bad, pun intended, in order to help said family. He has been nominated four times for “Breaking Bad” (winning once). Now he is a solid contender for a character trying to keep it together after covering up the accidental murder his son committed, even when it challenged his very moral core.

Portraying real-life former FBI director James Comey in the premium cable two-part special could see four-time prior Globe nominee Daniels return to the ballot. He carried his Comey with a strong sense of patriotism but an increasingly weary demeanor, especially once the time period of the story moved into the Trump administration. Some voters may be burnt out on the spectacle that American politics have become, but those who just can’t get enough will applaud this special take.

The in-between seasons standalone special for HBO’S “Euphoria” promised to center its story on Zendaya’s drug addict Rue, and in doing so ‚inally allowed her sponsor Ali (Colman Domingo) to shine. Domingo elevated a normal teen tale with calm wisdom and gravitas as his character counseled Rue. But it was in glimpses of his character’s life when discussing his kids, his religion, his Blackness that Domingo stole the spotlight and o¦ered another story worth following.