September 18, 2019

THE 2019 PRIMETIME EMMY PREDICTIONS—'GAME OF THRONES' AND 'VEEP' AGAIN?

The Television Academy’s farewell love letter to Westeros and its folk has been felt throughout the categories this season, with GAME OF THRONES’ 32 nominations overall, and 10 wins already at last week’s Creative Arts Emmys. It seems quite likely that it’ll take home outstanding series, but will it sweep the acting results as it did with the nominations? I suspect not. Though I do think that there will be several repeat wins, along with a sprinkling of surprise announcements when the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards unravel this Sunday. Read on for more predictions

DRAMA


Outstanding Drama Series
BETTER CALL SAUL
BODYGUARD
GAME OF THRONES
KILLING EVE
OZARK
POSE
SUCCESSION
THIS IS US

SUCCESSION should win this, or KILLING EVE, or maybe even BODYGUARD. It would be refreshing for the Academy to not go the predictable route for outstanding series, especially considering that the final season of GAME OF THRONES left us much to be desired. However, I think they really will give it to THRONES again, for the fourth and final time.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Emilia Clarke (GAME OF THRONES)
Robin Wright (HOUSE OF CARDS)
Viola Davis (HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER)
Sandra Oh (KILLING EVE)
Jodie Comer (KILLING EVE)
Mandy Moore (THIS IS US)
Laura Linney (OZARK)

Sandra Oh is winning this. Even though Emilia Clarke is probably the most worthy of an Emmy from among all the GAME OF THRONES actors and actresses nominated for season eight, I think Oh will win because she truly deserves it. Moreover, after her Golden Globe win and all the escalating buzz around KILLING EVE, it makes me quite sure that portrayer of the titular Eve will take it away.  

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bob Odenkirk (BETTER CALL SAUL)
Kit Harington (GAME OF THRONES)
Jason Bateman (OZARK)
Sterling K. Brown (THIS IS US)
Milo Ventimiglia (THIS IS US)
Billy Porter (POSE)

This is Kit Harington’s first lead actor nomination for THRONES, so maybe he'll win. He’s a popular favorite, I’m sure. However I don’t think it’ll be him. On the other hand, the other nominees haven’t had much luck before in this category, or didn’t have roles that were meaty enough this season. I doubt Sterling K. Brown will win again. But I do think that Bob Odenkirk is due for an Emmy for BETTER CALL SAUL, and this seems as good a year as any for him to take it home.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Lena Headey (GAME OF THRONES)
Gwendoline Christie (GAME OF THRONES)
Sophie Turner (GAME OF THRONES)
Maisie Williams (GAME OF THRONES)
Fiona Shaw (KILLING EVE)
Julia Garner (OZARK)

The overwhelming presence of GAME OF THRONES is obviously a shout-out by the Academy for the show’s swan song, and maybe that’s all that their intention is. Because while all the four THRONES nominees have deserved this win at some point or another through this series, I don’t believe the final season is it. Yet, Maisie Williams could win, as a fan favorite and a general favorite. And Arya Stark did [spoiler alert] kill the Night King. However, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it’s going to be Fiona Shaw. She steals every scene she’s in on KILLING EVE, with her calm, restrained yet commanding demeanor, and the Academy has been known to surprise us with unexpected wins.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks (BETTER CALL SAUL)
Giancarlo Esposito (BETTER CALL SAUL)
Alfie Allen (GAME OF THRONES)
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (GAME OF THRONES)
Peter Dinklage (GAME OF THRONES)
Michael Kelly (HOUSE OF CARDS)
Chris Sullivan (THIS IS US)

This one will go to one of the Lannister brothers. I believe Nikolaj Coster-Waldau deserves it more, but Peter Dinklage has won this thrice before, and he’s most likely to take it home again.  

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
GAME OF THRONES “The Last Of The Starks”
GAME OF THRONES “The Long Night”
GAME OF THRONES “The Iron Throne”
KILLING EVE “Desperate Times”
OZARK “Reparations”
SUCCESSION “Celebration”
THE HANDMAID’S TALE “Holly”

This one’s definitely going to “The Long Night”. To pull off an episode like the battle of Winterfell was a herculean task, and Miguel Sapochnik did a terrific job managing the scale, the numbers, the tension, and each character’s role in it. This is one category that will most certainly go to GAME OF THRONES.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
BETTER CALL SAUL “Winner”
BODYGUARD “Episode 1”
GAME OF THRONES “The Iron Throne”
KILLING EVE “Nice And Neat”
SUCCESSION “Nobody Is Ever Missing”
THE HANDMAID’S TALE “Holly”

I believe SUCCESSION’s first season finale deserves this, for building up the tension of something imminent, and then taking an absolute 180 without meddling with the narrative’s impact. I believe the Academy will see this too.


COMEDY


Outstanding Comedy Series
BARRY
FLEABAG
RUSSIAN DOLL
SCHITT’S CREEK
THE GOOD PLACE
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
VEEP

Such a strong year for comedy! I believe FLEABAG and MRS. MAISEL are most deserving of this, while others are pretty strong as well. However, VEEP delivered a decent swan song, and the Academy will most likely give it to them a fourth time, since they love repeating wins in the outstanding series categories.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (DEAD TO ME)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (FLEABAG)
Catherine O’Hara (SCHITT’S CREEK)
Natasha Lyonne (RUSSIAN DOLL)
Rachel Brosnahan (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (VEEP)

It will be quite shocking if Julia Louis-Dreyfus doesn’t win this, after having won for all of VEEP’s previous six seasons. Rachel Brosnahan did strike gold last year, and definitely deserved it, but are we sure her chances weren’t strengthened by VEEP not being eligible? We’ll never know because that was a different season. This year though, Louis-Dreyfus will take it away a seventh and final time for her turn as Selina Meyer. If she does, it’ll make it her ninth acting Emmy overall!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Bill Hader (BARRY)
Don Cheadle (BLACK MONDAY)
Anthony Anderson (BLACK-ISH)
Eugene Levy (SCHITT’S CREEK)
Ted Danson (THE GOOD PLACE)
Michael Douglas (THE KOMINSKY METHOD)

Michael Douglas will add to the gold he won at the Globes.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Sarah Goldberg (BARRY)
Sian Clifford (FLEABAG)
Olivia Colman (FLEABAG)
Betty Gilpin (GLOW)
Marin Hinkle (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Kate McKinnon (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Alex Borstein (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Anna Chlumsky (VEEP)

This is a hefty category—so many incredible nominees. I want Olivia Colman to win, but even Sian Clifford was incredible in FLEABAG. Last year’s winner Alex Borstein could also score big, but I think Marin Hinkle is more deserving for MRS. MAISEL’s second season. Let’s hope Colman takes it home. This will absolutely be her year if she does, adding to her Oscar win earlier in the year.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Henry Winkler (BARRY)
Anthony Carrigan (BARRY)
Stephen Root (BARRY)
Tony Hale (VEEP)
Tony Shalhoub (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Alan Arkin (THE KOMINSKY METHOD)

The odds are definitely in the favor of BARRY, with three nominations up there, but the Academy should award Tony Shaloub for his terrific work as Abe Weissman. Something tells me they will.

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
BARRY “The Audition”
BARRY “ronny/lily”
FLEABAG “Episode 1”
THE BIG BANG THEORY “Stockholm Syndrome”
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL “All Alone”
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL “We’re Going To The Catskills!”

This could go to BARRY, or even FLEABAG, but THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL will take it home.

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
BARRY “ronny/lily”
FLEABAG “Episode 1”
PEN15 “Anna Ishii-Peters”
RUSSIAN DOLL “Nothing In This World Is Easy”
RUSSIAN DOLL “A Warm Body”
THE GOOD PLACE “Janet(s)”
VEEP “Veep”

This should go to FLEABAG, and I suspect the Academy will recognise it for its brilliance in conveying depth through simplicity and restraint.


LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE


Outstanding Limited Series
CHERNOBYL
ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA
FOSSE/VERDON
SHARP OBJECTS
WHEN THEY SEE US

This is a tough one. It’s between CHERNOBYL and WHEN THEY SEE US. Both have political steam, so the question is, will it be an anti-Russia sentiment, or matters of race that will be seen as stronger. I believe the Academy will see WHEN THEY SEE US.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series
Amy Adams (SHARP OBJECTS)
Patricia Arquette (ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA)
Michelle Williams (FOSSE/VERDON)
Joey King (THE ACT)
Aunjanue Ellis (WHEN THEY SEE US)
Niecy Nash (WHEN THEY SEE US)

Patricia Arquette won a Golden Globe for ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA, and I think the Emmy will be hers for it too.  

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series
Mahershala Ali (TRUE DETECTIVE)
Hugh Grant (A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL)
Benicio del Toro (ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA)
Sam Rockwell (FOSSE/VERDON)
Jared Harris (CHERNOBYL)
Jharrel Jerome (WHEN THEY SEE US)

I believe it’s between Jared Harris and Jharrel Jerome. It’s a tough call. If the Academy goes with the more intensive performance, this will be Jerome’s, for portraying the disturbing and heart-breaking agony of Korey Wise’s imprisonment, through isolation et al.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series
Emily Watson (CHERNOBYL)
Patricia Clarkson (SHARP OBJECTS)
Marsha Stephanie Blake (WHEN THEY SEE US)
Vera Farmiga (WHEN THEY SEE US)
Patricia Arquette (THE ACT)
Margaret Qualley (FOSSE/VERDON)

Like Arquette, Clarkson will also add to her Golden Globe win, by winning the Emmy for SHARP OBJECTS.  

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series
Ben Whishaw (A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL)
Stellan Skarsgard (CHERNOBYL)
Paul Dano (ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA)
John Leguizamo (WHEN THEY SEE US)
Michael K. Williams (WHEN THEY SEE US)
Asante Blackk (WHEN THEY SEE US)

This race is wide open. I’d be surprised if one of the WHEN THEY SEE US actors don’t win, even though the list includes Golden Globe winner Ben Winshaw. I think it’ll be Asante Blackk.

Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL
CHERNOBYL
ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA
FOSSE/VERDON “Glory”
FOSSE/VERDON “Who’s Got The Pain”
WHEN THEY SEE US

I think this will go to CHERNOBYL, for the scale, the visuals and the complex portrayal of the time and the place, and the politics.  

Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL
CHERNOBYL
ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA “Episode 6”
ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA “Episode 7”
FOSSE/VERDON “Providence”
WHEN THEY SEE US “Part Four”

WHEN THEY SEE US will win this for the moving, gut-wrenching masterpiece that its finale was.

Outstanding Television Movie
Bandersnatch (BLACK MIRROR)
Brexit
King Lear
My Dinner with Hervé

If we go by the last two years' winners—BLACK MIRROR’s San Junipero and U.S.S. Callister—this one will go to Bandersnatch. However, with no nominations for directing or writing, BLACK MIRROR could lose out. I suspect Brexit will win.

What are your predictions for Sunday's Emmys? Scroll down and comment below.



ALREADY ANNOUNCED:

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Michael McKean (BETTER CALL SAUL)
Glynn Turman (HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER)
Kumail Nanjiani (THE TWILIGHT ZONE)
Bradley Whitford (THE HANDMAID’S TALE)
Michael Angarano (THIS IS US)
Ron Cephas Jones (THIS IS US)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Jessica Lange (AMERICAN HORROR STORY: APOCALYPSE)
Carice van Houten (GAME OF THRONES)
Laverne Cox (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK)
Cicely Tyson (HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER)
Cherry Jones (THE HANDMAID’S TALE)
Phylicia Rashad (THIS IS US)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Robert De Niro (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
John Mulaney (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Adam Sandler (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Matt Damon (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Luke Kirby (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Rufus Sewell (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)
Peter MacNicol (VEEP)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Fiona Shaw (FLEABAG)
Kristin Scott Thomas (FLEABAG)
Emma Thompson (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Sandra Oh (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)
Maya Rudolph (THE GOOD PLACE)
Jane Lynch (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL)

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