Drama actor/actress competitors within the Globes

George Clooney in 'The Descendants'Brad Pitt in 'Moneyball'Michael Fassbender in 'Shame'Meryl Streep in 'The Iron Lady'The 69th Golden Globes' lead acting drama nominees were a combination of business-as-usual -- think A-list star energy -- together with a few surprise names that potentially set ends up having a fascinating competition and several possible upsets.Charge actor drama category transported such heavyweight and expected competitors as George Clooney (playing vulnerable and lost in "The Descendants"), Leonardo DiCaprio (playing youthful and old in "J. Edgar") and Kaira Pitt (playing charming and headstrong in "Moneyball").Perennial Globe faves Clooney (oft-nominated and champion for "Syriana" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), DiCaprio (six noms and champion for "The Aviator") and Pitt (four noms and champion for "Twelve Apes") are grew to become an associate of by newer Globe fave Ryan Gosling (nommed for "Blue Valentine" and "Lars as well as the Real Girl") for his role since the decent but opportunistic press secretary opposite Clooney's winning but deeply problematic presidential candidate in "The Ides of March."The particular surprise might be the inclusion of Michael Fassbender, notching up his first Globe nom for his performance just like a lonely sex addict, in Brit director Steve McQueen's "Shame." Even though some American experts overlooked the film as arthouse soft-core porn, the HFPA -- having its Euro-centric membership -- happily recognized the film, having its explicit sex and nudity, and overlooked the actor's other high-profile turn as Carl Jung in David Cronenberg's "A Dangerous Method."Fassbender's nom led to other potential nominees in broadly-respected performances, including Gary Oldman ("Mess Tailor Soldier Spy"), Take advantage of Fiennes ("Coriolanus"), Woodsy Harrelson ("Rampart") and Difficulties ("The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo") were ignore.For lead actress drama, this list of nominees appeared to become a combination of Globe regulars together with an unexpected title. Meryl Streep, oft-nominated together with an earlier champion (most recently for "Julie and Julia" and "The Demon Wears Prada"), acquired another nom on her behalf turn (and impeccable accent) as former British pm Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." She was grew to become an associate of by Glenn Close, also oft-nominated together with an earlier champion (most recently for "Damages"), on her behalf gender-bending perf just like a butler in 1800s Ireland in "Albert Nobbs."The Two leaders face off against each other and a pair of more Globe faves -- Tilda Swinton, nommed for "Michael Clayton" and "The Deep Finish," and Viola Davis, formerly nommed for "Doubt." Because the HFPA overlooked Swinton's submit last year's "I am Love," her perf in "We must Discuss Kevin" was broadly respected. Davis, since the dignified center of "The Help,In . is riding the wave of recognition from the drama, which acquired five noms overall.The big surprise might be the inclusion of newcomer Rooney Mara. Carrying out a small role in David Fincher's "The Social Media,Inch the actress is drawing praise on her behalf turn since the screwed-up but brilliant hacker Lisbeth Salander in Fincher's version of "The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo." That role also guaranteed worldwide fame for Sweden's Noomi Rapace.Ignore were "The Help's" Emma Stone (nommed a year ago for "Easy A"), Kirsten Dunst ("Melancholia") and Keira Knightley ("A Dangerous Method").GOLDEN GLOBES COUNTDOWN Year of couples therapyThe ContendersDrama: Best Picture Comedy: Best Picture Best Director Drama Actor/Actress Comedy Actor/Actress Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com