Emmys 2015: 5 categories to watch on TV's big night

Diabolical politicians, an ambitious woman who controlsdragons, atransgender parent and conflictedadvertising executives.

These are a few of the storylines being honoured at the Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night at a televised ceremonythat could make history.

Here are five categories to watch, reflecting a year in televisionthat welcomed some funny new faces and bid familiar ones farewell.

Outstanding drama series

What do you get when you mix terrorism-fighting governmentagents, duellingfamiliesfacing supernatural "White Walkers," egomaniacalpoliticians, female inmates jockeying for power, 1920saristocrats and their servants, a scam artist-turned-lawyerand advertising execsstruggling with changing times?

You get this year's nominees for best drama series.

ComprisingHomeland,GameofThrones,House of Cards,Orangeis the New Black,Downton Abbey, BetterCallSaul andMad Men, it'seasily one of the most competitive categories,

Still,watch for nostalgia to rule: themoney's on Mad Men to take the golden statuette and officiallysend off Don Draper and the Sterling Coopergang.

Outstanding lead actress in a drama series

History could be madeif Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)or TarajiP. Henson (Empire)take home the trophy. It would mark thefirst time an African-American actress has won in this prominentcategory.

Davis and Hensonface competition fromHomeland's Claire Danes, Elizabeth Moss ofMad Men, Robin Wright from House of Cards and Canada's own Tatiana Maslany, nominated forOrphan Black.

Outstanding lead actor in adrama series

Could this be the year that Jon Hammisfinally recognized for his indelible performanceas Don Draper on Mad Men? The actor has been nominated in this category eight times,but never won.

The conclusion of theinfluentialshow this past yearcould give Hamm the momentum to take the prize.

But while Hamm's deeply flawedDraper is now firmly embedded into pop culture, this category also features a range of talented actorsthat make it aninteresting race to watch.

Hamm is up against Kyle Chandler (Bloodline),Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)LievSchrieber(Ray Donovan)and Kevin Spacey(House of Cards).

Outstanding lead actress in acomedy series

They makeus laugh about everything, fromlife in Washington toaging disgracefully to keeping one's head above water in Hollywood.

This category includesEdie Falco's Nurse Jackie, Amy Poehler's finale season ofParks and Recreation, the irrepressible Lily Tomlin in Grace and Frankie, Lisa Kudrow'shilarious performance inTheComeback, repeatwinner Julia Louis-DreyfusofVeep and comedy It girl Amy Schumer.

The category is too tight to call, which makesfor exciting viewing.

Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series

Seven funny actors are nominated in this category,but only one portraysa transgender woman.

That's why Jeffrey Tambor might ride the zeitgeist tohis first Emmy winfor his performancein Transparent.

Four of his rivalnominees are repeat contenders:Don Cheadle(House of Lies), Louis C.K. (Louie), Matt Leblanc(Episodes)and William H. Macy (Shameless).

Two other first-timers round out the category:AnthonyAnderson forBlack-ish andWill Forte forThe Last Man on Earth.

Regardless of who takes home the hardware, the strength of thesenominees demonstrate thatit's beena great year fortelevision.