Drama Series
1
Game of Thrones
Perhaps you’ve heard – it’s ‘Game of Thrones’ ‘ last season. Expect nothing less than for Emmy voters to catapult HBO to the forefront … helping the network reclaim its throne as a top award winner.
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Killing Eve
Both ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (Season 3) aren’t eligible this year, so look for some fresh blood [possibly winning] in the drama category.
—Kristen Baldwin
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 2nd | 2nd |
3
Pose
‘Pose’ is a top-shelf Ryan Murphy melodrama — corny and compassionate and adept at telling smart stories about race, sexuality and class. It’s also revolutionary, casting five trans women of color to anchor the show. Its second season premiered as Emmy ballots went out, and the hoopla should prod latecomer voters to give it a chance.
—Glenn Whipp
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | 5th | 3rd |
4
Better Call Saul
The show has received so much acclaim (and nominations, including four for drama series), it's no longer thought of as ‘that ‘Breaking Bad’ prequel.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 4th |
5
Succession
Will its raft of honors for its freshman season (including a DGA for Adam McKay) translate to an Emmy win?
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | 9th | 5th |
6
Ozark
Five nominations last year, nine this year. Seems like it's gaining momentum.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 9th | 8th | 6th |
7
This Is Us
The popular tearjerker has won three acting awards but not the big prize yet, despite nominations in all three of its seasons.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 4th | 7th |
8
Bodyguard
The best drama nom is the first for a BBC show in nearly 50 years, but, surprisingly, star Richard Madden was left out.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 12th | 7th | 8th |
Drama Lead Actress
1
Sandra Oh
Killing Eve
After Oh lost last year’s Emmy but went on to win a slew of other awards, the Television Academy will take notice. A rising ‘Killing Eve’ tide [could] also lift up Jodie Comer, who gives an equally powerful performance on the show.
—Kelly Lawler
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Jodie Comer
Killing Eve
Oh, my! Sandra Oh is on a roll, but there’s a groundswell for her fascinating costar Jodie Comer as ‘Eve’s’ insane engine.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2nd | 2nd |
3
Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones
The three-time nominee may not have won the Iron Throne, but Emmy gold would be a nice consolation prize.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 4th | 3rd |
4
Laura Linney
Ozark
She already has four Emmys in six nominations over five different projects, plus three Oscar noms. What's one more?
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | 5th | 4th |
5
Viola Davis
How to Get Away with Murder
There was a plethora of strong female roles this year, and a dynamic mix of former Oscar- and Emmy-winning performers to fill them.
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 5th |
6
Robin Wright
House of Cards
Emmy voters rewarded mainstays Wright and Michael Kelly for hanging in in the face of the Spacey scandal and providing a proper finish to the show that launched the streaming era. It’s Wright’s sixth acting nomination for the show, for which she also shares two drama series noms as an executive producer. She also finishes the run having directed more episodes than anyone else.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | 7th | 6th |
7
Mandy Moore
This Is Us
Things just got 'So Real' for the first-time Emmy nominee.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 7th |
Drama Lead Actor
1
Billy Porter
Pose
Some of the biggest performances of the year, including Billy Porter as the impassioned Pray Tell, make this an unusually exciting category.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
2
Kit Harington
Game of Thrones
Did we mention ‘Game of Thrones’ is ending … forever?! Kit Harington may actually stand a chance this time at winning the category, especially if voters are feeling sentimental.
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 3rd | 2nd |
3
Bob Odenkirk
Better Call Saul
Odenkirk is a front-runner as his transformation into Saul Goodman takes shape.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4th | 3rd |
4
Jason Bateman
Ozark
Who could have foreseen Teen Wolf (Too) becoming the awards darling he has been in recent years? He has seven Emmy nominations - including two for directing ‘Ozark’ episodes.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5th | 4th |
5
Sterling K. Brown
This Is Us
Brown already has two Emmys (one for ‘American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson’).
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3rd | 5th |
6
Milo Ventimiglia
This Is Us
That's three straight best actor noms for the Anaheim native.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 9th | 11th | 6th |
Drama Supporting Actress
1
Maisie Williams
Game of Thrones
‘Thrones’ ’ wicked Queen Cersei (Lena Headey) seemed a lock until we saw how little they gave her to do in the final season, so I'm giving her slot to Williams as the heroic Arya.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 1st | 1st |
2
Fiona Shaw
Killing Eve
Shaw is nominated as 'Eve's' deadpan, mysterious MI-6 boss; she also appeared in 'Eve' creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge's 'Fleabag' as a clueless shrink.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | 7th | 2nd |
3
Julia Garner
Ozark
‘Ozark’s’ Garner is the one to beat.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 2nd | 3rd |
4
Gwendolyn Christie
Game of Thrones
She and fellow ‘Thrones’ nominees Alfie Allen and Carice van Houten paid the entry fees after HBO did not submit them for Emmy consideration. It sure paid off – this is her first nomination.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 11th | 10th | 4th |
5
Lena Headey
Game of Thrones
The five-time nominee for this role came into Emmy season as the favorite; one of the shakeups of 'GoT's' final season was its showcasing of Arya (Maisie Williams) instead.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3rd | 5th |
6
Sophie Turner
Game of Thrones
It's the first nomination for the Queen in the North (and Dark Phoenix).
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 5th | 6th |
Drama Supporting Actor
1
Peter Dinklage
Game of Thrones
In the fight between Saul Goodman [and Co.] and the Lannister brothers, the Lannisters will probably win.
—Kelly Lawler
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Game of Thrones
It's the Academy's last chance to honor perhaps 'Game of Thrones’ ’ most transformative character arc.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 2nd |
2
Giancarlo Esposito
Better Call Saul
He was previously nominated for this role in 'Breaking Bad.'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | 7th | 2nd |
4
Jonathan Banks
Better Call Saul
He has had five nominations over two series for this role.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 5th | 4th |
5
Michael Kelly
House of Cards
Emmy voters rewarded mainstays Kelly (his fourth nomination) and Robin Wright for hanging in in the face of the Spacey scandal and providing a proper finish to the show that launched the streaming era.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | 9th | 5th |
6
Chris Sullivan
This Is Us
There may be at least 12 ‘Chris Sullivans’ on IMDb, but he’s the only one to get his first Emmy nom for ‘This Is Us’ after sharing two SAG ensemble awards with the cast.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 6th |
7
Alfie Allen
Game of Thrones
You might have guessed he’s the brother of Lily Allen, but did you know he’s a cousin of Sam Smith? He’s also an adopted son of Ned Stark, enjoying his first-ever Emmy nom – on his own dime, no less. He and fellow nominees Gwendoline Christie and Carice van Houten paid their entry fees after HBO did not submit them for consideration.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 7th |
Comedy Series
1
Veep
HBO’s Emmy magnet 'Veep' is back after a two-year absence, and it will likely dominate in all the comedy categories.
—Kristen Baldwin
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Barry
In its first season last year, it received 13 Emmy nominations (six of them Creative Arts Emmys), winning three - including for actors Bill Hader and Henry Winkler. It jumped to 15 this year.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 2nd |
3
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Sending 'Veep' off with a fourth best comedy win would help confirm its place in TV history, but 'Mrs. Maisel' is easier to love, so this could be a tough call.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
4
Fleabag
Two nominations last year, including one for Daniel Craig-requested new writer for James Bond, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, turned into 11 this year.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 4th | 4th |
5
The Good Place
One of the most clever and twisty comedies on TV got two acting noms last year; it would be heavenly to see it get more notice this time.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 6th | 5th |
6
Russian Doll
This wicked twist on 'Groundhog Day,' easily the trippiest of all the comedy contenders (sorry, 'The Good Place'), grabbed 11 nominations.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | 7th | 6th |
7
Schitt's Creek
The Canadian show has won more than 30 major awards, including two Canadian Screen Awards for best comedy.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 7th |
Comedy Lead Actress
1
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Veep
Honestly, this category should just have one nominee: Julia Louis-Dreyfus. If beating cancer and being incredibly brilliant in the final season of ‘Veep’ doesn’t earn her the win, nothing will.
—Kristen Baldwin
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Fleabag
The world may be the oyster of the everything-winning creator of 'Fleabag' and 'Killing Eve' (and polisher of the new Bond script, and beloved droid in 'Solo'), but this is actually the last chance to honor her for this character, as she swears 'Fleabag' is over.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 4th | 2nd |
3
Rachel Brosnahan
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The reigning champ has unified the belts (Emmy, Critics' Choice, SAG, Golden Globes, TCA).
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 2nd | 3rd |
4
Catherine O'Hara
Schitt's Creek
The venerable comic actress has five nominations as a co-writer on ‘SCTV Network 90.’ This is her second acting nomination.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | 9th | 4th |
5
Christina Applegate
Dead to Me
Applegate has five nominations (one win) over three shows. Her 'Dead to Me' character's breast-cancer diagnosis was written in on the actress' suggestion, as Applegate is a survivor herself.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 5th |
6
Natasha Lyonne
Russian Doll
Although Louis-Dreyfus has this sewn up, the real question [was] whether Lyonne and [Catherine] O’Hara [of 'Schitt's Creek'] [would] break through this stacked category for their offbeat but critically acclaimed shows.
—Kelly Lawler
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 6th |
Comedy Lead Actor
1
Bill Hader
Barry
The reigning champ is also nominated for directing. Pop quiz: For what did he win his first Emmy? Hint: There's ample parking day or night, people spouting, 'Howdy, neighbor!'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Ted Danson
The Good Place
He has two wins. And 16 nominations.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 2nd |
3
Michael Douglas
Kominsky Method
Douglas (and his costar Alan Arkin) will be hard to beat this year for the bittersweet ‘The Kominsky Method.'
—Glenn Whipp
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 2nd | 3rd |
4
Eugene Levy
Schitt's Creek
The esteemed veteran made history when he and son (and his collaborator on ‘Schitt’s Creek’) were both nominated for best actor in a comedy by the Canadian Screen Awards. He says it’s the first time a father and son were nominated in the same category for the same show, ever.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 8th | 4th |
5
Don Cheadle
Black Monday
Recent headlines plus the Television Academy’s deep love for Don Cheadle (he was nominated four times for Showtime’s 'House of Lies') [may have helped to] bump perennial nominee William H. Macy out of the running this year.
—Kristen Baldwin
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 4th | 5th |
6
Anthony Anderson
Black-Ish
He had previously been nominated seven times for his roles on camera and behind the scenes of 'Black-ish.'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 6th | 6th |
Comedy Supporting Actress
1
Alex Borstein
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Pulled off two wins last year, for this role and for her voice work on 'Family Guy.'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 1st | 1st |
2
Olivia Colman
Fleabag
Colman [is] likely to sneak into this category on the strength of [her] other projects (including 'The Favourite').
—Kelly Lawler
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | 4th | 2nd |
3
Kate McKinnon
Saturday Night Live
Two-time winner (six-time nominee) McKinnon is also a standout in the big-screen 'Yesterday.'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
4
Anna Chlumsky
Veep
Her five nominations in this role may or may not equal her MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Macaulay Culkin) for 'My Girl' (1991, age 10-11).
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 4th |
5
Sarah Goldberg
Barry
This is the first nomination for Goldberg, who also shared the cast’s SAG ensemble nom earlier this year. Bat-Trivia: She played ‘Analyst 1’ in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 5th |
6
Betty Gilpin
GLOW
Don’t mess with the ladies of 'GLOW.'
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 5th | 6th |
7
Sian Clifford
Fleabag
This is the first nomination for the actress also known as Martha Crawley in the 2018 ‘Vanity Fair’ limited series.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 7th |
8
Marin Hinkle
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
‘Maisel’s’ Borstein won last year. And she’ll probably win again, though the nomination of Hinkle adds a wrinkle.
—Glenn Whipp
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | 6th | 8th |
Comedy Supporting Actor
1
Alan Arkin
Kominsky Method
So happy for Winkler’s long-overdue win last year, but now it’s a battle between the ‘Veep’ lunatics and the curmudgeonly ‘Kominsky’ veteran.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Tony Hale
Veep
He has two wins (and five previous nominations) for this role - hard to believe he never got one for 'Arrested Development' - but whatever else he does this year is likely to be overshadowed by his memorable performance as an anxious spork in 'Toy Story 4.'
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3rd | 2nd |
3
Henry Winkler
Barry
Heyyyyy, after six previous Emmy nominations, the reigning champ can sit on last year's win in this category.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 1st | 3rd |
4
Tony Shalhoub
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Three-time winner (for 'Monk'), 10-time nominee.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 4th | 4th |
5
Anthony Carrigan
Barry
I don’t want to live in a world where his excellence as NoHo Hank goes unrecognized.
—Kelly Lawler
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5th | 5th |
6
Stephen Root
Barry
The onetime downtrodden Milton Waddams of ‘Office Space’ earns his first Emmy nomination as the protagonist’s cold-hearted boss.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 12th | 6th |
Limited Series
1
When They See Us
An embarrassment of riches in the year's most competitive category. Ava DuVernay's shattering account of the Central Park Five came on late to upstage Ben Stiller's terrific escape drama.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | 6th | 1st |
2
Chernobyl
HBO's nuclear disaster horror story was unexpectedly resonant.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 2nd | 2nd |
3
Escape at Dannemora
Ben Stiller’s gripping prison-escape drama seems the show to beat.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 3rd |
4
Fosse/Verdon
Likely a two-way battle between the terrific true-crime drama 'Dannemora' and the razzle-dazzle showbiz tale 'Fosse/Verdon.'
—Glenn Whipp
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 4th | 4th |
5
Sharp Objects
This has been a so-so category in Emmys past, but this time around, it’s a different story. All were some of the best productions of the past year, in any category.
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 5th | 5th |
TV Movie
1
Deadwood: The Movie
Imagine Al Swearengen’s rant if the long-awaited ‘Deadwood’ movie doesn’t come out on top. (At least you didn’t have to choose an ending.)
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
2
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
The Television Academy ruled last year that single episodes of series could compete as TV movies provided that they’re 75 minutes or longer … which is why the 90-minute-plus ‘Bandersnatch’ [was eligible to] land a spot.
—Kristen Baldwin
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 2nd |
3
King Lear
The ultra-streamlined (under 2 hours) Shakespeare tragedy certainly has the pedigree: Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and rising star Florence Pugh.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 3rd | 3rd |
4
Brexit
It's so timely, it's still happening. Benedict Cumberbatch was apparently restored from the ashes in 'Avengers: Endgame' to lead the 'Vote Leave' campaign.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | 4th | 4th |
5
My Dinner with Herve
The fall of the British Empire, Part II, the return of the Old West, and whatever the hell ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’ is about, face off against a king and the prince of 'Fantasy Island.'
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5th | 5th |
Limited/Movie Lead Actress
1
Patricia Arquette
Escape at Dannemora
The more damaged the better, when it comes to choosing between Arquette’s pathetically delusional prison worker and Amy Adams, showing her dark side as the self-abusing prodigal daughter [in ‘Sharp Objects’].
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 1st |
2
Michelle Williams
Fosse/Verdon
A lot of water has passed under the bridge from 'Dawson's Creek' to four Oscar nominations; the versatile actress-singer-dancer has a great shot at her first Emmy nomination.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2nd | 2nd |
3
Amy Adams
Sharp Objects
Between Amy Adams’ haunting performance as a dysfunctional journalist returning to her spooky hometown in 'Sharp Objects' and Patricia Arquette as a desperate prison employee and pawn in 'Escape at Dannemora,' there’s no shortage of great picks for this category.
—Lorraine Ali
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3rd | 3rd |
4
Neicy Nash
When They See Us
Nash’s two previous primetime nominations came for ‘Getting On.’ She also collected a daytime Emmy (and three other nominations) for ‘Clean House.’
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 4th |
5
Joey King
The Act
The nomination for her breakthrough dramatic performance was an early birthday present to the just-turned-20-year-old King.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 5th | 5th |
6
Aunjanue Ellis
When They See Us
This is the first nomination for the San Francisco-born Ellis. She has collected other honors for works including ‘The Help,’ ‘The Book of Negroes’ and ‘Abducted: The Carlina White Story.’
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | 6th |
Limited/Movie Lead Actor
1
Jharrel Jerome
When They See Us
Jharrel Jerome turned in a heartbreaking, star-making performance in ‘When They See Us’ and deserves his nomination in a crowded field.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 5th | 1st |
2
Jared Harris
Chernobyl
Harris has long been one of our finest actors and his turn as the principled nuclear physicist blowing the whistle on the ‘Chernobyl’ cover-up just deepens the appreciation. Harris isn’t the biggest name among the contenders, but he might just be the best.
—Glenn Whipp
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| — | 4th | 2nd |
3
Mahershala Ali
True Detective
Returning to TV with two Oscars under his belt, Ali made the most of an expansive and tricky role and is poised to add an Emmy to his accolades.
—Matt Roush
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3rd | 3rd |
4
Benicio Del Toro
Escape at Dannemora
The Oscar, SAG, and BAFTA winner could escape with an Emmy.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 6th | 4th |
5
Hugh Grant
Very English Scandal
Grant's impressive resurgence continues.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1st | 5th |
6
Sam Rockwell
Fosse/Verdon
The Oscar, SAG, and BAFTA winner looks to add an Emmy to all that jazz.
—Envelope Staff
| April | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2nd | 6th |
Credits: Helen Sloane / HBO, Christopher Saunders / Showtime, Sophie Mutevelian / BBC / Blueprint Television, AP, HBO, Al Seib / Los Angeles Times, Mike Yarish / Netflix, Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times, Michael Owen Baker / For The Times, Netflix, Micha Theiner / For The Times, Atsushi Nishijima / Netflix, Eric Liebowitz / FX, Ron Cadiz / Sony Music Entertainment, Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix, Nicole Rivelli, Helen Sloan / HBO