Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series

Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series
	The 2025 recipient: Kathy Bates
Country	United States
Presented by	Critics Choice Association
First award	2011
Currently held by	Kathy Bates – Matlock (2025)
Website	criticschoice.com

Last updated November 10, 2025

The Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series is an award presented annually by the Critics' Choice Television Awards to recognize the work of television actresses in the drama genre. It was introduced in 2011, when the awards ceremony was first initiated. The winners are voted for by television critics who are members of the Broadcast Television Critics Association.

Winners and nominees

indicates the winner

2010s

Year	Actor	Series	Character	Network
2011 ^[1]	Julianna Margulies	The Good Wife	Alicia Florrick	CBS
	Connie Britton	Friday Night Lights	Tami Taylor	DirecTV NBC
	Mireille Enos	The Killing	Det. Sarah Linden	AMC
	Elisabeth Moss	Mad Men	Peggy Olson	AMC
	Katey Sagal	Sons of Anarchy	Gemma Teller Morrow	FX
	Anna Torv	Fringe	Olivia Dunham	Fox
2012 ^[2]^[3]	Claire Danes	Homeland	Carrie Mathison	Showtime
	Michelle Dockery	Downton Abbey	Lady Mary Crawley	PBS
	Julianna Margulies	The Good Wife	Alicia Florrick	CBS
	Elisabeth Moss	Mad Men	Peggy Olson	AMC
	Emmy Rossum	Shameless	Fiona Gallagher	Showtime
	Katey Sagal	Sons of Anarchy	Gemma Teller Morrow	FX
2013 ^[4]	Tatiana Maslany	Orphan Black	Various Characters	BBC America
	Claire Danes	Homeland	Carrie Mathison	Showtime
	Vera Farmiga	Bates Motel	Norma Bates	A&E
	Julianna Margulies	The Good Wife	Alicia Florrick	CBS
	Elisabeth Moss	Mad Men	Peggy Olson	AMC
	Keri Russell	The Americans	Elizabeth Jennings	FX
2014 ^[5]	Tatiana Maslany	Orphan Black	Various Characters	BBC America
	Lizzy Caplan	Masters of Sex	Virginia E. Johnson	Showtime
	Vera Farmiga	Bates Motel	Norma Bates	A&E
	Julianna Margulies	The Good Wife	Alicia Florrick	CBS
	Keri Russell	The Americans	Elizabeth Jennings	FX
	Robin Wright	House of Cards	Claire Underwood	Netflix
2015 ^[6]^[7]	Taraji P. Henson	Empire	Cookie Lyon	Fox
	Viola Davis	How to Get Away with Murder	Annalise Keating	ABC
	Vera Farmiga	Bates Motel	Norma Bates	A&E
	Eva Green	Penny Dreadful	Vanessa Ives	Showtime
	Julianna Margulies	The Good Wife	Alicia Florrick	CBS
	Keri Russell	The Americans	Elizabeth Jennings	FX
2016 (1) ^[8]^[9]	Carrie Coon	The Leftovers	Nora Durst	HBO
	Shiri Appleby	UnREAL	Rachel Goldberg	Lifetime
	Viola Davis	How to Get Away with Murder	Annalise Keating	ABC
	Eva Green	Penny Dreadful	Vanessa Ives	Showtime
	Taraji P. Henson	Empire	Cookie Lyon	Fox
	Krysten Ritter	Jessica Jones	Jessica Jones	Netflix
2016 (2) ^[10]^[11]	Evan Rachel Wood	Westworld	Dolores Abernathy	HBO
	Caitríona Balfe	Outlander	Claire Fraser	Starz
	Viola Davis	How to Get Away with Murder	Annalise Keating	ABC
	Tatiana Maslany	Orphan Black	Various Characters	BBC America
	Keri Russell	The Americans	Elizabeth Jennings	FX
	Robin Wright	House of Cards	Claire Underwood	Netflix
2018 ^[12]^[13]	Elisabeth Moss	The Handmaid's Tale	June Osborne/Offred	Hulu
	Caitríona Balfe	Outlander	Claire Fraser	Starz
	Christine Baranski	The Good Fight	Diane Lockhart	CBS All Access
	Claire Foy	The Crown	Queen Elizabeth II	Netflix
	Tatiana Maslany	Orphan Black	Various Characters	BBC America
	Robin Wright	House of Cards	Claire Underwood	Netflix
2019 ^[14]^[15]	Sandra Oh	Killing Eve	Eve Polastri	BBC America
	Jodie Comer	Killing Eve	Villanelle	BBC America
	Maggie Gyllenhaal	The Deuce	Eileen Merrell / Candy	HBO
	Elisabeth Moss	The Handmaid's Tale	June Osborne / Offred	Hulu
	Elizabeth Olsen	Sorry for Your Loss	Leigh Shaw	Facebook Watch
	Julia Roberts	Homecoming	Heidi Bergman	Amazon Prime Video
	Keri Russell	The Americans	Elizabeth Jennings	FX

2020s

Year	Actor	Series	Character	Network
2020 ^[16]	Regina King	Watchmen	Angela Abar / Sister Night	HBO
	Christine Baranski	The Good Fight	Diane Lockhart	CBS All Access
	Olivia Colman	The Crown	Queen Elizabeth II	Netflix
	Jodie Comer	Killing Eve	Villanelle	BBC America
	Nicole Kidman	Big Little Lies	Celeste Wright	HBO
	Michaela Jaé Rodriguez	Pose	Blanca Evangelista	FX
	Sarah Snook	Succession	Siobhan "Shiv" Roy	HBO
	Zendaya	Euphoria	Rue Bennett	HBO
2021 ^[17]	Emma Corrin	The Crown	Diana, Princess of Wales	Netflix
	Christine Baranski	The Good Fight	Diane Lockhart	CBS All Access
	Olivia Colman	The Crown	Queen Elizabeth II	Netflix
	Claire Danes	Homeland	Carrie Mathison	Showtime
	Laura Linney	Ozark	Wendy Byrde	Netflix
	Jurnee Smollett	Lovecraft Country	Letitia "Leti" Lewis	HBO
2022 ^[18]	Melanie Lynskey	Yellowjackets	Adult Shauna Shipman	Showtime
	Uzo Aduba	In Treatment	Dr. Brooke Taylor	HBO
	Chiara Aurelia	Cruel Summer	Jeanette Turner	Freeform
	Christine Baranski	The Good Fight	Diane Lockhart	Paramount+
	Katja Herbers	Evil	Dr. Kristen Bouchard	Paramount+
	Michaela Jaé Rodriguez	Pose	Blanca Evangelista	FX
2023 ^[19]	Zendaya	Euphoria	Rue Bennett	HBO
	Christine Baranski	The Good Fight	Diane Lockhart	Paramount+
	Sharon Horgan	Bad Sisters	Eva Garvey	Apple TV+
	Laura Linney	Ozark	Wendy Byrde	Netflix
	Mandy Moore	This Is Us	Rebecca Pearson	NBC
	Kelly Reilly	Yellowstone	Beth Dutton	Paramount Network
2024 ^[20]	Sarah Snook	Succession	Siobhan "Shiv" Roy	HBO
	Jennifer Aniston	The Morning Show	Alex Levy	Apple TV+
	Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor	Justified: City Primeval	Carolyn Wilder	FX
	Bella Ramsey	The Last of Us	Ellie Williams	HBO
	Keri Russell	The Diplomat	Ambassador Kate Wyler	Netflix
	Reese Witherspoon	The Morning Show	Bradley Jackson	Apple TV+
2025 ^[21]
	Kathy Bates	Matlock	Madeline Matlock	CBS
	Caitríona Balfe	Outlander	Claire Fraser	Starz
	Shanola Hampton	Found	Gabi Mosely	NBC
	Keira Knightley	Black Doves	Helen Webb	Netflix
	Keri Russell	The Diplomat	Ambassador Kate Wyler	Netflix
	Anna Sawai	Shōgun	Toda Mariko	FX / Hulu

Multiple wins

2 wins

Tatiana Maslany (consecutive)

Multiple nominations

7 nominations

Keri Russell

5 nominations

4 nominations

Tatiana Maslany

3 nominations

2 nominations

References

↑ Sanger, Craig (19 June 2011). "Critics' Choice Television Awards". The Washington Times . Retrieved 12 July 2012.
↑ Block, Alex Ben (5 June 2012). "'Community' Leads Critics' Choice Television Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 12 July 2012.
↑ "2012 Critics' Choice Television Awards". BFJA. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
↑ "Critics' Choice Television Awards". Critics' Choice Awards. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
↑ "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are..." Entertainment Weekly . May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
↑ Li, Shirley (May 6, 2015). "The Critics' Choice TV Awards 2015: And the nominees are..." Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 6, 2015.
↑ "Critics' Choice Awards Winners: Updated List". Critics' Choice Awards. May 31, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
↑ Webb Mitovich, Matt (January 17, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: TV Winners Include Fargo, Mr. Robot, Master of None, Rachel Bloom and Carrie Coon". TVLine . Retrieved August 15, 2021.
↑ "2016 Critics' Choice Awards Nominations". Critics' Choice Awards. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
↑ Lincoln, Ross A. (November 14, 2016). "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 15, 2016.
↑ "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Critics' Choice Awards. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
↑ Tapley, Kristopher (December 6, 2017). "Netflix, FX's 'Feud' Lead Critics' Choice TV Nominations". Variety . Retrieved December 6, 2017.
↑ "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Critics' Choice Awards. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
↑ de Moraes, Lisa; Blyth, Antonia; Hipes, Patrick (January 13, 2019). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Roma' Wins Best Picture To Lead Night; 'The Americans' & 'Mrs. Maisel' Top TV – The Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 13, 2019.
↑ Nordyke, Kimberley (December 10, 2018). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Favourite' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 10, 2018.
↑ Boucher, Geoff; Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 12, 2020). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Wins Best Picture, Netflix And HBO Among Top Honorees – Full Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 12, 2020.
↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 7, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards: 'Nomadland', 'The Crown' Among Top Honorees – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 7, 2021.
↑ Pedersen, Erik (March 13, 2022). "Critics Choice Awards: 'The Power Of The Dog' Wins Best Picture & Jane Campion Is Best Director; 'Ted Lasso' & 'Succession' Top TV – Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 15, 2022.
↑ Panaligan, EJ; Earl, William (January 15, 2023). "Critics' Choice Awards 2023 Full Winners List: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' 'Abbott Elementary' and 'Better Call Saul' Take Top Honors". Variety . Retrieved January 16, 2023.
↑ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (January 14, 2024). "Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Bear lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 15, 2024.
↑ "TELEVISION NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 30TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS". Critics Choice Association. December 5, 2024.

External links

Official website

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[1] Sanger, Craig (19 June 2011). "Critics' Choice Television Awards". The Washington Times . Retrieved 12 July 2012.

[2] Block, Alex Ben (5 June 2012). "'Community' Leads Critics' Choice Television Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 12 July 2012.

[BFJAAwards-3] "2012 Critics' Choice Television Awards". BFJA. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.

[4] "Critics' Choice Television Awards". Critics' Choice Awards. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013.

[5] "Critics' Choice TV Awards 2014: And the nominees are..." Entertainment Weekly . May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.

[6] Li, Shirley (May 6, 2015). "The Critics' Choice TV Awards 2015: And the nominees are..." Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 6, 2015.

[7] "Critics' Choice Awards Winners: Updated List". Critics' Choice Awards. May 31, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.

[8] Webb Mitovich, Matt (January 17, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: TV Winners Include Fargo, Mr. Robot, Master of None, Rachel Bloom and Carrie Coon". TVLine . Retrieved August 15, 2021.

[9] "2016 Critics' Choice Awards Nominations". Critics' Choice Awards. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.

[10] Lincoln, Ross A. (November 14, 2016). "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 15, 2016.

[11] "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Critics' Choice Awards. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.

[12] Tapley, Kristopher (December 6, 2017). "Netflix, FX's 'Feud' Lead Critics' Choice TV Nominations". Variety . Retrieved December 6, 2017.

[13] "Critics' Choice TV Nominations Unveiled". Critics' Choice Awards. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.

[14] Moraes, Lisa; Blyth, Antonia; Hipes, Patrick (January 13, 2019). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Roma' Wins Best Picture To Lead Night; 'The Americans' & 'Mrs. Maisel' Top TV – The Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 13, 2019.

[15] Nordyke, Kimberley (December 10, 2018). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Favourite' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 10, 2018.

[16] Boucher, Geoff; Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 12, 2020). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Wins Best Picture, Netflix And HBO Among Top Honorees – Full Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 12, 2020.

[17] Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 7, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards: 'Nomadland', 'The Crown' Among Top Honorees – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 7, 2021.

[18] Pedersen, Erik (March 13, 2022). "Critics Choice Awards: 'The Power Of The Dog' Wins Best Picture & Jane Campion Is Best Director; 'Ted Lasso' & 'Succession' Top TV – Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 15, 2022.

[19] Panaligan, EJ; Earl, William (January 15, 2023). "Critics' Choice Awards 2023 Full Winners List: 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' 'Abbott Elementary' and 'Better Call Saul' Take Top Honors". Variety . Retrieved January 16, 2023.

[20] Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (January 14, 2024). "Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Bear lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 15, 2024.

[21] "TELEVISION NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 30TH ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS". Critics Choice Association. December 5, 2024.

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v t e Critics' Choice Television Awards
Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA)
Awards	Best Comedy Series Best Actor in a Comedy Series Best Actress in a Comedy Series Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Best Drama Series Best Actor in a Drama Series Best Actress in a Drama Series Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Best Movie/Miniseries Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Best Animated Series Best Reality Series – Competition Best Reality Show Host Best Structured Reality Show Best Talk Show Best Unstructured Reality Show
Retired	Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series (2012–2016) Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series (2012–2016) Most Exciting New Series (2011–2016) Best Reality Series (2011–2015)
Ceremonies	2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024