Bafta TV awards 2012: who should win? Which shows and actors deserve to win at Sunday's TV Baftas ceremony? Could all the big awards go West? (THE GUARDIAN)

The acting categories seem particularly close this year, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Dominic West, John Simm and Joseph Gilgun all nominated for the leading actor award. It feels like West has the momentum behind him for his extraordinary portrayal of Fred West in in Appropriate Adult – he took the same category at the 2012 Royal Television Society awards. And yet … Cumberbatch, who lost out in this category last year, surely deserves recognition for his remarkable playing of Sherlock. A tough call.

West's co-star, Emily Watson finds herself in a similar situation in the leading actress category: up against This is England '88s Vicky McClure, who took the award last year for This is England '86. I think Watson edges it here, with a subtle, nuanced and complex performance as Janet Leach. There is however, potential for upset. Nadine Marshall was excellent in Channel 4's Random, while Romola Garai is in the running for The Crimson Petal and the White.

It's heartening to see so many really first-rate performances recognised in these lists: supporting actress has Anna Chancellor (The Hour), Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Miranda Hart (Call the Midwife) and Monica Dolan (Appropriate Adult). I'm not sure Hart's performance was really that much of a stretch – others will disagree – but Chancellor was absolutely the best thing about The Hour. Dolan, however stands out here: she was astonishing as Rose West, and certainly I could imagine Appropriate Adult sweeping the board in all three acting categories.


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