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BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2025: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Today's award is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series!

Past Awards in This Category: 2024   2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...










KATHY BATES as Madeline Matlock in Matlock (CBS)
AYO EDEBIRI as Sydney Adamu in The Bear (FX/Hulu)
BRITT LOWER as Helly in Severance (Apple TV+)
ELISABETH MOSS as June Osborne in The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
CARRIE PRESTON as Elsbeth Tascioni in Elsbeth (CBS)
BELLA RAMSEY as Ellie Williams in The Last of Us (HBO)
KERI RUSSELL as Ambassador Kate Wyler in The Diplomat (Netflix)

And the Winner Is...
KATHY BATES
Matlock (CBS)
You know you're in good hands when Kathy Bates is the center of your show. Over a decade ago, she helped Harry's Law be a much better show than it ever deserved to be. She returned to Broadcast TV this past fall in Matlock, a show that would certainly appeal to boomers but also had its sights set on being a little something more. The show worked really well at times and less well other times but Bates was spectacular throughout. There were a lot of layers to her portrayal as Madeline Matlock because the character herself was playing a role but also evolving over the course of the season where reality and her con became blurred. Bates was so capable of taking us on that journey and she proved once again why she's a legendary actress.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:
There were some good performances here but I don't think this is one of the strongest categories. Bates' CBS Thursday buddy Carrie Preston continued to be strong in Elsbeth even though the episodes rise and fall based on the guest stars. Bella Ramsey had to play a frustrating character but she still had some really fantastic moments. Ayo Edebiri felt a bit pushed to the background at times during the third season of The Bear but she remains an integral part of that cast. Britt Lower had an expanded role in the second season of Severance and, like Bates, had to be a couple different personalities. Keri Russell continues to be a pillar of strength with a dollop of comedy in The Diplomat. Finally, Elisabeth Moss wrapped up a six season run on The Handmaid's Tale with a very strong season. She remained one of the biggest reasons to keep watching the show.

Tomorrow: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series!

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