Emmy voting is in full swing, and if you’re one of the 24,000 Television Academy members contemplating whether there’s still time to catch up on “Reservation Dogs,” the answer is yes, but you better hurry. Ballots are due by June 24.
Is it possible to watch everything and be a fully informed voter? Probably not. There are always a few shows that slip through the cracks, despite our best efforts. And no, I won’t name them because I don’t need the judgment. I didn’t criticize latecomers to “Reservation Dogs,” as it’s understandable not to sample every one of the over 300 series submitted. Unless you missed “Shōgun.” Then we need to talk.
This year, voters face the challenge of too many strong contenders in the limited series categories and a shortage of quality dramas, making the voting process equally difficult but for different reasons. Comedies? Just right. As long as “Reservation Dogs” finally gets its due. But again, no judgment. (Yet.)
Here’s a quick rundown of the series and actors that seem to be catching voters’ attention, along with some viewing suggestions for those still doing their homework. I’ll revisit these predictions shortly before the Emmy nominations are announced on July 17.
In the Limited Series category, “Baby Reindeer,” “Fargo,” “Lessons in Chemistry,” “Ripley,” and “True Detective: Night Country” are strong contenders. “Masters of the Air” could surprise, and don’t forget “Expats.”
For Limited Series Lead Actress, Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”), Nicole Kidman (“Expats”), Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”), Juno Temple (“Fargo”), Sofía Vergara (“Griselda”), and Naomi Watts (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”) are in the running. Kate Winslet (“The Regime”) could surprise, and don’t forget Julianne Moore (“Mary & George”).
In the Limited Series Lead Actor category, Matt Bomer (“Fellow Travelers”), Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”), Jon Hamm (“Fargo”), Tom Hollander (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”), Andrew Scott (“Ripley”), and Tony Shalhoub (“Mr. Monk’s Last Case”) are strong contenders. Hoa Xuande (“The Sympathizer”) could surprise, and don’t forget Ewan McGregor (“A Gentleman in Moscow”).
For Limited Series Supporting Actress, Lily Gladstone (“Under the Bridge”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Aja Naomi King (“Lessons in Chemistry”), Diane Lane (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”), Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Fargo”), Nava Mau (“Baby Reindeer”), and Kali Reis (“True Detective: Night Country”) are in the running. Kathy Bates (“The Great Lillian Hall”) could surprise, and don’t forget Sarayu Blue (“Expats”).
In the Limited Series Supporting Actor category, Jonathan Bailey (“Fellow Travelers”), Finn Bennett (“True Detective: Night Country”), Robert Downey Jr. (“The Sympathizer”), John Hawkes (“True Detective: North Country”), Joe Keery (“Fargo”), Lewis Pullman (“Lessons in Chemistry”), and Sam Spruell (“Fargo”) are strong contenders. Treat Williams (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”) could surprise, and don’t forget Hugh Grant (“The Regime”).
For Comedy Series, “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Gentlemen,” “Hacks,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Reservation Dogs,” and “What We Do in the Shadows” are in the running. “Palm Royale” could surprise, and don’t forget “I’m a Virgo.”
In the Comedy Actress category, Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”), Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”), Jean Smart (“Hacks”), and Kristen Wiig (“Palm Royale”) are strong contenders. Maya Rudolph (“Loot”) could surprise, and don’t forget Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”).
For Comedy Lead Actor, Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Theo James (“The Gentlemen”), Steve Martin (“Only Murders in the Building”), Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”), and Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”) are in the running. Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”) could surprise, and don’t forget Jharrel Jerome (“I’m a Virgo”).
In the Comedy Supporting Actress category, Liza Colón-Zayas (“The Bear”), Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”), Abby Elliott (“The Bear”), Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”), Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Building”), and Lisa Ann Walter (“Abbott Elementary”) are strong contenders. Carol Burnett (“Palm Royale”) could surprise, and don’t forget Molly Gordon (“The Bear”).
For Comedy Supporting Actor, Lionel Boyce (“The Bear”), Paul W. Downs (“Hacks”), Matty Matheson (“The Bear”), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”), Oliver Platt (“The Bear”), Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”), and Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) are in the running. Carl Clemons-Hopkins (“Hacks”) could surprise, and don’t forget Chris Perfetti (“Abbott Elementary”).
In the Drama Series category, “The Crown,” “The Curse,” “Fallout,” “The Gilded Age,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “The Morning Show,” “Shōgun,” and “Slow Horses” are strong contenders. “Loki” could surprise, and don’t forget “Sugar.”
For Drama Lead Actress, Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”), Maya Erskine (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”), Anna Sawai (“Shōgun”), Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”), Emma Stone (“The Curse”), and Reese Witherspoon (“The Morning Show”) are in the running. Carrie Coon (“The Gilded Age”) could surprise, and don’t forget Ella Purnell (“Fallout”).
In the Drama Lead Actor category, Donald Glover (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”), Walton Goggins (“Fallout”), Cosmo Jarvis (“Shōgun”), Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses”), Hiroyuki Sanada (“Shōgun”), and Dominic West (“The Crown”) are strong contenders. Tom Hiddleston (“Loki”) could surprise, and don’t forget Colin Farrell (“Sugar”).
For Drama Supporting Actress, Christine Baranski (“The Gilded Age”), Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”), Moeka Hoshi (“Shōgun”), Lesley Manville (“The Crown”), Fumi Nikaido (“Shōgun”), Cynthia Nixon (“The Gilded Age”), and Karen Pittman (“The Morning Show”) are in the running. Greta Lee (“The Morning Show”) could surprise, and don’t forget Kristin Scott Thomas (“Slow Horses”).
In the Drama Supporting Actor category, Khalid Abdalla (“The Crown”), Tadanobu Asano (“Shōgun”), Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”), Mark Duplass (“The Morning Show”), Jon Hamm (“The Morning Show”), Takehiro Hira (“Shōgun”), Nathan Lane (“The Gilded Age”), and Jonathan Pryce (“The Crown”) are strong contenders. Ke Huy Quan (“Loki”) could surprise, and don’t forget Tokuma Nishioka (“Shōgun”).
As Emmy voting continues, these predictions and suggestions aim to guide voters through the crowded field of contenders. With nominations set to be announced on July 17, the race is heating up, and every vote counts.
