It was a great year for television dramas, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards is honoring the men who helped create such top-rate television. The SAG awards nominees for outstanding actor in a drama series range from the most famous teacher-turned-meth cook ever to a witty and valiant "half-man".

The nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series are:

Steve Buscemi/Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, "Boardwalk Empire"- Buscemi may not have been the likely actor to play barrel-chested 1920s gangster "Nucky" Thompson, but he more than fits the bill. The Scorsese-produced series about 1920s Atlantic City is focused on Nucky, who starts out as the treasurer of Atlantic City and slowly becomes a full-fledged gangster. Buscemi is excellent as the complex, corrupt ladies man who keeps surprising audiences each season.

Bryan Cranston/Walter White, "Breaking Bad"- Cranston will forever be attached to his iconic character of Walter White, an Albuquerque chemistry teacher who becomes the most notorious meth cook in the American Southwest. When White is diagnosed with a late stage of lung cancer, he teams up with his former student and current meth cook/dealer, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), to cook meth as a way to ensure his family has enough money after he's gone. White is incredible at completely embodying White, who turns from a family man into a megalomanic meth cook and dealer.

Jeff Daniels/Will McAvoy, "The Newsroom"- Daniels is excellent as McAvoy, a slightly neurotic nightly news anchor who is not afraid to ask tough questions and share his opinions, even if they're controversial. Daniels expertly delivers the fast-paced Aaron Sorkin dialogue, and portrays McAvoy's toughness and stern brilliance while bringing forth his underlying gaiety and romanticism.

Peter Dinklage/Tyrion Lannister, "Game of Thrones"- Dinklage portrays Tyrion with all of the witty sarcasm and heart that his character displays in the original "A Song of Ice and Fire" books. Tyrion may be a "half-man," but he has more charm, intelligence and compassion than the most valiant soldiers in the realm. Dinklage's Tyrion is always compelling, and constantly keeps the audience surprised and entertained.

Kevin Spacey/Francis Underwood, "House of Cards"- Spacey's Frank Underwood epitomizes the underhanded maneuverings of Washington politics. Underwood begins as the Democratic House Majority Whip, and has hopes to be appointed U.S. Secretary of State. But when he is passed over for the position--which was promised to him--he sets a plan in motion to take his colleagues down so he can get to the top. Spacey is superb as the series antihero, and is wonderful at giving snarky, "Richard III"-style asides to the camera.

Prediction: Bryan Cranston/Walter White, "Breaking Bad"

The SAG Award should be awarded to Cranston for his searingly real portrayal of White, an antihero whose personal corruption is simultaneously fascinating and disturbing. Cranston shows White's exterior hardness and growing greed, which stems from latent feelings of inferiority. His egotism reaches epic proportions, which Cranston portrays with almost unbelievable authenticity. Cranston's acting virtuosity is at the same level--if not better--than many movie actors, and has forever raised the bar for television dramas.