Emmy Predictions 2021, Part Three: Drama Series Acting

Okay, moving on to acting in a drama. Like with comedy, this category has a strong series frontrunner in The Crown, and because the Emmys seem to really like their sweeps lately, I’m predicting 3 out of the 4 acting wins will go to that series.

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Expect newcomer Emma Corrin to win for her young Princess Di

Expect newcomer Emma Corrin to win for her young Princess Di

  • Uzo Aduba, In Treatment

  • Olivia Colman, The Crown

  • Emma Corrin, The Crown

  • Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • MJ Rodriguez, Pose

  • Jurnee Smollett, Lovecraft Country

Rodriguez is making history here as the first trans woman ever nominated as a series lead, and Pose won three Emmys at the Creative Arts awards last weekend, so she may have a chance? But I think this is likely going to Emma Corrin, who played young Diana in The Crown’s most popular season and won’t even be coming back for another. She won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards last winter, and I think this is hers for the taking.

Winner: Emma Corrin

Alternate: MJ Rodriguez

Dark Horse: Olivia Colman (it’s weird to say she’s a dark horse as the lead for the Drama series frontrunner, but she can win here too- it’s also her last season as Elizabeth and the Emmys haven’t rewarded her yet either)


ACTOR IN A DRAMA

I think he’s the frontrunner here but there could be a race between him and Billy Porter

I think he’s the frontrunner here but there could be a race between him and Billy Porter

  • Sterling K. Brown, This is Us

  • Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country

  • Josh O’Connor, The Crown

  • Rege-Jean Page, Bridgerton

  • Billy Porter, Pose

  • Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason

This one seems less sure for The Crown, and yet I’m growing more confident anyway. Josh O’Connor’s Prince Charles was a very unlikable character, and yet he was SO good in his two seasons portraying him. The weakness of the category in general tells me he can win this, but the alternative would be former winner Billy Porter, because Pose’s final season was very loved as well, so don’t be shocked if he comes back and wins again.

Winner: Josh O’Connor

Alternate: Billy Porter


SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA 

Anderson’s Thatcher will net her her long delayed second Emmy

Anderson’s Thatcher will net her her long delayed second Emmy

  • Gillian Anderson, The Crown

  • Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

  • Madeline Brewer, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • Aunjanue Ellis, Lovecraft Country

  • Emerald Fennell, The Crown

  • Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale

So, yes, this category is almost completely dominated by just two shows. When you see this kind of stuff, you wonder, do Emmy voters only watch less than five shows? But no matter, because Gillian Anderson has won everything for The Crown and will win this too, to receive her first Emmy in more than 20 years (since The X-Files!). It’s deserved, but I’m not even sure who’d be second here.

Winner: Gillian Anderson

Alternate: Aunjanue Ellis (going with her because she may stand out on a show that’s not The Crown or Handmaid’s)


SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

If there’s isn’t a Crown sweep think Williams will finally get his overdue Emmy for Lovecraft Country

If there’s isn’t a Crown sweep think Williams will finally get his overdue Emmy for Lovecraft Country

  • Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian

  • OT Fagbenie, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • John Lithgow, Perry Mason

  • Tobias Menzies, The Crown

  • Max Minghella, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • Chris Sullivan, This is Us

  • Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale

  • Michael K. Williams, Lovecraft Country

I’m not going with The Crown on this one, because I think Michael K. Williams had developed enough goodwill and overdue status from shows like The Wire and Boardwalk Empire over the years that he could win for Lovecraft Country, despite the show’s cancellation. That was of course, before his tragic death last week. This award will be tinged with sadness no matter who wins, but I still believe that he will.

Winner: Michael K. Williams

Alternate: Tobias Menzies (he could be pulled along on a Crown sweep)

Dark Horse: John Lithgow (always an Emmy favorite, so he can’t be counted out no matter what he’s in)

Marvel Releases Christmas Themed Trailer for 'Hawkeye' Series

Is it me or does this look like it’s trying to conjure up Die Hard vibes? Whoever had that holiday themed marketing idea probably deserves praise for at least giving a unique tone to what was predicted to be the most generic of the Marvel shows coming out this year. Hailee Steinfeld joins the MCU as Kate Bishop, presumably the new Hawkeye as Marvel appears to be assembling a Young Avengers roster (to be led by Spider-Man?). This one drops Nov 24th and runs through the end of the year.

Emmy Predictions 2021, Part Two: Comedy Series Acting

Today we’re moving on to comedy series acting. I think these races are mostly locked, however, so it’s easier to predict.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jason Sudeikis is a lock for his first Emmy

Jason Sudeikis is a lock for his first Emmy

  • Anthony Anderson, black-ish

  • Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

  • William H. Macy, Shameless

  • Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

  • Kenan Thompson, Kenan

Okay, there’s almost nothing much to say here, as Jason Sudeikis is the biggest lock of the night. The show is crazy popular and is going to win series as well, so of course he’s winning. Even if it wasn’t though, against this competition? He’d probably still take it. Kenan Thompson is his closest rival and that show got no other nods.

Winner: Jason Sudeikis

Alternate: Kenan Thompson


BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jean Smart knocked it out of the park as a veteran comedienne on Hacks

Jean Smart knocked it out of the park as a veteran comedienne on Hacks

  • Aidy Bryant, Shrill

  • Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant

  • Allison Janney, Mom

  • Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish

  • Jean Smart, Hacks

This is Jean Smart’s to lose. After her recent TV renaissance she’s finally going to be honored as a lead, which is crazy to think about, what with her decades long television career. Hacks was loved overall too, with 16 nominations, so if it wasn’t for Ted Lasso, it would be in the conversation to win. Kaley Cuoco would probably be the frontrunner if it wasn’t for Hacks’s late arrival on the scene this season though.

Winner: Jean Smart

Alternate: Kaley Cuoco


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Betting on fan favorite Ted Lasso guy to win here

Betting on fan favorite Ted Lasso guy to win here

  • Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Hacks

  • Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso

  • Brendan Hunt, Ted Lasso

  • Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso

  • Paul Reiser, The Kominsky Method

  • Jeremy Swift, Ted Lasso

  • Kenan Tompson, SNL

  • Bowen Yang, SNL

This is where I differ from consensus, as I believe that Brett Goldstein is kind of an easy call, where most people think Yang will take it. I don’t buy Yang though, because it’s too early for him and he’s still a featured player in that cast. He had some standout sketches last season but he’s no Kate McKinnon. And most people think the four Ted Lasso guys must cancel each other out, but I don’t buy that either, because Goldstein is so clearly the obvious star supporting player on that show. He’s a fan favorite and in the currently airing second season he’s almost a co-lead. The Emmys lately have been loving their sweeps, and he’s exactly the kind of supporting character they gravitate toward- I don’t care how many other men on the show are nominated with him. 

Winner: Brett Goldstein

Alternate: Kenan Thompson (not even buying Bowen Yang as the alternate here- he’s a dark horse at best)

Dark Horse: Bowen Yang


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

From Game of Thrones to Ted Lasso: Waddingham brought new shading to the uptight CEO character

From Game of Thrones to Ted Lasso: Waddingham brought new shading to the uptight CEO character

  • Aidy Bryant, SNL

  • Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

  • Kate McKinnon, SNL

  • Rosie Perez, The Flight Attendant

  • Cecily Strong, SNL

  • Juno Temple, Ted Lasso

  • Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

I think Waddingham almost has this in the bag for Ted Lasso, as in the first season she was kind of the female lead and a key component to the show’s success. But she has competition from her co-star Temple, and also Einbinder of Hacks, who really is a co-lead (they just didn’t want to put her up against Smart, but she does not belong in this category- that show is a two-hander). 

Winner: Hannah Waddingham

Alternate: Hannah Einbinder

Dark Horse: Juno Temple (I could see this happening for some reason)

Emmy Predictions 2021, Part One: Limited Series Acting

Here we go with Emmy predictions! It’s that time of year again and we are starting off today with what’re probably the toughest categories, since limited series is so competitive this year. Let’s get right to it.

BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Paul Bettany may benefit from the fairly weak category

Paul Bettany may benefit from the fairly weak category

  • Paul Bettany, WandaVision

  • Hugh Grant, The Undoing

  • Ewan McGregor, Halston

  • Lin-Manual Miranda, Hamilton

  • Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton

This is a weird one, because Ethan Hawke, who actually gave the best performance in a limited series last year for The Good Lord Bird, and would win this category in a walk if he was nominated, is not here for some reason. It’s the biggest puzzler of the nominations. As a result of his appalling snub, any of these guys could do it? None are particularly acclaimed, and the Hamilton guys are sort of a question mark, regarding a filmed play that was recorded 5 years ago now. I don’t know, I guess I’m going with Bettany, since WandaVision has 23 nominations and the Emmys went crazy for it. 

Winner: Paul Bettany

Alternate: Hugh Grant (they didn’t love the show overall, but could this be a makeup award for him for A Very English Scandal?)

Dark Horse: Leslie Odom Jr. 


BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Kate Winslet has rarely been better- the TV academy will reward her for that

Kate Winslet has rarely been better- the TV academy will reward her for that

  • Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You

  • Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha

  • Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision

  • Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit

  • Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown

I think this one will go to Kate Winslet, as a previous Emmy winner for Mildred Pierce, the most respected veteran actress in this group, and for one of the most acclaimed performances of her whole career. And also for a show that was well loved and got 16 nominations. Taylor-Joy was winning a lot of things for The Queen’s Gambit last winter, but that was before Mare came out and stole its thunder, at least as far as the acting goes.

Winner: Kate Winslet

Alternate: Anya Taylor-Joy

Dark Horse: Michaela Coel


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

I think if any Hamilton guy can win, it’s him

I think if any Hamilton guy can win, it’s him

  • Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Queen’s Gambit

  • Daveed Diggs, Hamilton

  • Paapa Essiedu, I Many Destroy You

  • Jonathan Groff, Hamilton

  • Evan Peters, Mare of Easttown

  • Anthony Ramos, Hamilton

I have a feeling Evan Peters could win this for his impactful role on Mare, but I also have this feeling that if anyone can win for Hamilton it’s Daveed Diggs in this category for his scene stealing Thomas Jefferson. I’m going to go out on a limb for this one.

Winner: Daveed Diggs

Alternate: Evan Peters


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

This is weird role to win an Emmy for, but the voters were obsessed with WandaVision

This is weird role to win an Emmy for, but the voters were obsessed with WandaVision

  • Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton

  • Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision

  • Moses Ingram, The Queen’s Gambit

  • Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown

  • Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown

  • Phillipa Soo, Hamilton

I think Kathryn Hahn is the favorite here, again on the strength of WandaVision’s nomination haul. The two Mare of Easttown ladies will cancel each other out and the Hamilton women as well. Hahn’s role is super cartoonish, so Nicholson probably has a chance, but…the Emmys just really loved this Marvel show. Don’t ask me why.

Winner: Kathryn Hahn

Alternate: Julianne Nicholson

'The Baby-Sitters Club' Season 2 Starts in October

October 11th, to be exact. This show was the most unexpected delight last year, and they’ve got to get as much filmed as they can before these girls get too old to pass for middle-schoolers. I’m happy to watch the second season when it drops on Netflix, but this is really the perfect show for kids- one that actually can appeal to older viewers and yet still be for everyone. How rare to get that formula right.

Full Trailer for 'Sex Education' Season 3

Yay! It’s going to be hard keeping track of all the shows I’m watching this fall season, as so many are starting to pile up on my to see list. But I do love this one, so I’m excited it’s back (for maybe it’s last season? Netflix has been canceling things after three or four seasons lately). Although now I’m remembering it had something of a frustrating ending in Season 2…I hope it finally gets its main couple together now.

'Doom Patrol' Season 3 Starts September 23rd

Yay! Looking just as wacky and wild as ever (with a distinct lack of Timothy Dalton’s Chief or his daughter Dorothy), Doom Patrol, arguably the best superhero show on television, is back for its third season, which starts streaming on HBO Max Sep 23rd. We got an annoying cliffhanger last season that deprived us of of the actual final episode of Season 2 (covid related production reasons of course), so I hope we get to see that first. And Michelle Gomez is always a delightful net positive addition to every show she’s on (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Flight Attendant), so yay for her joining the cast as well.