[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2012 and the nominees are: 1. Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn 2. Viola Davis - The Help 3. Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 4. Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady 5. Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs - In 2012 Meryl Streep won her third Oscar (second for Lead Actress) playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron lady. She swept award season with this performance. Weinstein’s angle during the campaign season was that Meryl hadn’t won since Sophie’s Choice- she was over due. This award seemed to be in the bag for Streep until Viola Davis showed up to the table with her incredible performance as Aibileen in The Help. A role she would later express regret toward due to the film’s white saviour narrative. White saviour narrative aside - it’s a heartbreaking performance and a real contender for this Oscar. Rooney Mara made her Oscar debut in the Hollywood version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The original role was played by Noomi Rapace. Michelle Williams played Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn; which she won the Golden Globe for. Glenn Close received her 6th Oscar nomination for playing Albert Nobbs, a woman disguised as a man trying to survive in 19th century Ireland. Very strong year! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O’Brien as they discuss.