Helen Mirren

Nominated for: Her uncanny turn as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen.

Previous nominations: Two for best actress in a supporting role for The Madness of King George   and Gosford Park.

Other notable previous work: I feel that I have to mention she was in Caligula (yes, that one). Besides that she has been in many British movies and has done some exceptional work on British television. Also, theater (she is British after all).

Ladies and gentlemen, your winner. Perfect role, perfect acting. No discussion about it.

Judi Dench

Nominated for: Being Judi Dench. Also, for playing an obsessed older teacher in Notes on a Scandal.

Previous nominations: For Mrs. Brown,  Shakespeare in Love (win), Chocolat, Iris and Mrs Henderson Presents.

Other notable previous work: You won't be surprised to know she has done a lot of Shakespeare. Also she is the latest actress to play M in the James Bond series.

Dame Judi Dench can get nominated for pretty much anything she does these days. She actually had an interesting and different role this time, so it was even more of a sure thing.

Meryl Streep

Nominated for: Playing a mean magazine editor in The Devil Wears Prada.

Previous nominations: Are you really going to make me list it? Ok, The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Sophie's Choice, Silkwood, Out of Africa ,  Ironweed, Evil Angels, Postcards from the Edge, The Bridges of Madison County, One True Thing, Music of the Heart and Adaptation. Those 13 nominations resulted in only two wins, the last of which was in 1983, for Sophie's Choice.  

Other notable previous work: I think she has been nominated for pretty much anything she was ever on. I mean, she got a nomination for Music of the Heart for heavens sake. Ok, ok, she was also in Manhattan, Death Becomes Her and The Hours.

And the answer to who is even more likely to be nominated than Judi Dench is…

In all fairness, Streep has been constantly fabulous for a long time now.

Penelope Cruz                

Nominated for: Playing a mother who has to deal with the death of her husband and the ghost of her own mother in Pedro Almodovar's Volver.

Previous nominations: Hey look, it's a first timer!

Other notable previous work: She had important roles in some major Spanish movies like Carne trémula, Abre los ojos and Todo sobre mi madre. Here English language career is less impressive but it includes Blow, Vanilla Sky and Sahara.

The one first timer in this group. This is probably her best role ever, but she has done good work in Spanish before. let's see if she gets meatier roles in English now.

Kate Winslet

Nominated for: Playing a cheating housewife in Little Children

Previous nominations: For Sense and Sensibility, Titanic, Iris and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. She has yet to win an Oscar.

Other notable previous work: Played one of the main characters in Heavenly Creatures. Had supporting parts in Quills and Finding Neverland. More recently she was on The Holiday, opposite Cameron Diaz.

What is about this category that makes people get nominated again and again and again? Also, what is it about the British? Anyway, Kate's time will come since she is one of the great actress of her generation and is beloved by the Academy. But this year she'll have to be glad just to be nominated once again.

Who will win: Helen Mirren.

Who I wish would win: Helen Mirren.