Dockery plays Lady Mary Crawley, the oldest daughter of an aristocratic family. This is her first Emmy nomination.
Danes plays Carrie Mathison, a CIA operations officer who suspects a former prisoner-of-war Marine might be a threat to the United States. She has one Emmy win in three career nominations.
Close plays Patty Hewes, a brilliant yet ruthless lawyer who takes on complex and high profile cases. She has three Emmy wins in 14 career nominations.
Moss plays Peggy Olson, a secretary who has risen to be a copywriter for a 1960s advertising agency. She has four career Emmy nominations.
Bates plays Harriet "Harry" Korn, a sarcastic and passionate lawyer who runs her own small firm. She has 11 career Emmy nominations.
Margulies plays Alicia Florrick, a junior litigator at a law firm who is coping with her husband's affairs. She has two Emmy wins in nine career nominations.