ADDISON MONTGOMERY: 10 ‘PRIVATE PRACTICE’ EPISODES YOU MUST WATCH BEFORE SHE RETURNS TO ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’

This is meant essentially for those who didn’t follow the GREY’S ANATOMY spinoff, PRIVATE PRACTICE, which was centered on Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, after she left Seattle at the end of GREY’S season three... A ‘cheat sheet’ of episodes that will help you catch up with the character’s story that you might have missed, and would want to know the highlights of, before we see her again on GREY’S ANATOMY

A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that Kate Walsh was going to reprise her role as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery in the 18th season of GREY’S ANATOMY, much to the delight of fans of Addison, such as yours truly! A lot of us loved her through her short two-season role in GREY’S. We all know how she made her splashing entrance during the tail-end of the season one finale, and how she left Seattle to relocate to Los Angeles at the end of season three, hence exiting the show. However, not all GREY’S fans actually watched PRIVATE PRACTICE, the spinoff that Addison became the lead of, which ran for six seasons. Over those six years, those who only continued to follow GREY’S saw her occasionally in Seattle through seasons four to nine of GREY’S, as Addison made appearances during crossover episodes. If that’s all you saw of her, you may have briefly got glimpses of where she was in her life, what her career looked like, and so on. However, her role in those episodes were mostly about the patients that brought her back to Seattle. There may have been some nostalgia between Addison and Mark Sloan, and between Addison and Derek Shepherd, but it had little to do with updating the GREY’S audience with her life as it was. In fact, the last time we saw her in GREY’S ANATOMY, she was playing an alternate version of herself in an ‘alternate reality’ episode that imagined a different scenario for several characters back then. (Incidentally, nine of the series regulars that season are no longer a part of GREY’S presently.) Addison was clearly in the rear-view mirror for GREY’S, and didn’t even make an appearance when PRIVATE PRACTICE was about to end, nor was she mentioned by the folks in Seattle. 

Now it’s been a while since even PRIVATE PRACTICE ended, so even those of us who did watch the spinoff have not seen her since that show ended back in 2013. That was when season nine of GREY’S was on. According to the GREY’S timeline, it means that even for those of us who saw her in PRIVATE PRACTICE, it’s been over nine years in the life of that character. Any number of things could have happened since then. The writers could make her backstory anything they choose to, for it to serve their plans for the character in the present day. And what we’ll see of Addison in GREY’S season 18 could be an Addison even PRIVATE PRACTICE viewers won’t recognize.

Yet, some of you who didn’t watch that spinoff, might want to know the key highlights of that already-established backstory that wasn’t seen on GREY’S ANATOMY. One option is to binge all of PRIVATE PRACTICE (you’ll also discover a whole lot about Amelia Shepherd in the process). However, that’s over 100 episodes. So why don’t I just help by narrowing it down to the episodes that give us the most significant milestones of Addison Montgomery through her six years in PRIVATE PRACTICE. They will help you gain insights into Addison’s relationships with her parents, and especially with Amelia Shepherd, her sister-in-law, who was a very important person in her life when they were both in Los Angeles. These episodes will also show you how she met and married Jake Reilly, and how she came to be a mother to Henry.

These are the episodes you should to try and watch before Addison returns to GREY’S sometime during the 18th season (which might just be in next week’s premiere itself; we don’t know). The episodes are categorized into ‘must watch’, ‘should watch’ and ‘additional viewing’. There are 25 in total, but only 10 are must-watch episodes. You can skip the others if you like. 

Episode synopses, courtesy: IMDb and Wikipedia

Season 2, episode 15: ‘Acceptance’ | ADDITIONAL VIEWING

When Addison’s brother Archer suffers a seizure, Addison and her best friend and colleague Naomi search for a cause and a cure. In their quest they call Derek Shepherd for help.

GREY’S ANATOMY season 5, episode 15: ‘Before and after’ | ADDITIONAL VIEWING

Naomi, Sam and Addison rush Archer Montgomery to Seattle Grace and meet with Derek and Mark to save his life.

Season 3, episode 9: ‘The parent trap’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison performs a complex in utero surgery, proving not only her talents to her father but also finally giving them some common ground.

Season 3, episode 10: ‘Blow-ups’ | MUST WATCH

Tensions rise even higher between Addison and her father, ‘the Captain’, when her mother, Bizzy shows up. Addison walks in on Bizzy kissing a woman, Susan, who's been Bizzy's personal assistant for 20 years. Addison struggles to come to terms with both her mother's lesbianism and the realization that the Captain is not quite the scoundrel Addison assumed him to be.

Season 3, episode 13: ‘Shotgun’ | ADDITIONAL VIEWING

Things heat up between Addison and Sam as they develop true feelings for each other, but Addison is determined not to hurt Naomi.

Season 3, episode 19: ‘Eyes wide open’ | MUST WATCH

When famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ginsberg and her team pay a visit to St. Ambrose to save the life of Kayla, Addison is shocked to see Amelia Shepherd, Derek's younger sister, on the team. But Amelia's presence causes strife between Addison, Sam and Pete when she claims she can save Kayla's life after Dr. Ginsberg declares nothing can be done.

Season 4, episode 2: ‘Short cuts’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison decides that she and Sam can't keep their relationship a secret, and tries to tell Naomi, but doesn't until the end of the day resulting in Naomi telling her to back her up with the merger. Addison also pushes Amelia to go visit Derek, eventually buying a plane ticket for her to go to Seattle.

Season 4, episode 13: ‘Blind love’ | MUST WATCH

After Susan collapses at the wedding, Addison rushes to save her life. While talking to Susan, Addison finds that she is going to die and calls Bizzy. Susan flat-lines when Bizzy arrives, and Addison does not help her because of the DNR she signed, enraging Bizzy. Addison finds her mother in her hotel room dead, after committing suicide because of Susan's death.

Season 4, episode 14: ‘Home again’ | SHOULD WATCH

After Bizzy's death, Addison heads to Connecticut to arrange her funeral. After coming back to the practice Sam and everyone else realize that they should all be with Addison for support and head to her side, except Sheldon and Violet. When finding out that Bizzy had already arranged her own funeral, Addison is surprised to find that she had arranged for her to give the eulogy.

Season 4, episode 19: ‘What we have here…’ | SHOULD WATCH

Sam and Addison contemplate whether or not to break up, because of Addison wanting a baby, and Sam not wanting a baby. Violet finds out that Katie dropped the lawsuit, but now the medical board is reviewing her license and she could lose everything.

Season 4, episode 22: ‘…To change the things I can’ | MUST WATCH

Addison decides to take her life in a new direction and try things that she has never done, so she begins talking to a man, Jake Reilly, whom she met in the supermarket, eventually accepting a date with him. She even accepts an offer to go to Fiji with him, but does she go?

Season 5, episode 5: ‘Step one’ | MUST WATCH

Addison starts IVF treatments with Jake and decides that she isn't going to tell Sam until she's pregnant. She begins acting hormonal because of the IVF, and eventually does tell Sam.

Season 5, episode 6: ‘If I hadn’t forgotten’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison takes one step closer to motherhood when she finally chooses a sperm donor.

Season 5, episode 8: ‘Who we are’ | MUST WATCH

The Seaside Wellness group stages an intervention for a defensive and volatile Amelia Shepherd, who has resurfaced after disappearing on a 12-day drug binge with her boyfriend, Ryan. During the intervention, Amelia mercilessly attacks her friends one-by-one, and Addison, in particular, has trouble seeing her sister-in-law in her present condition.

Season 5, episode 10: ‘Are you my mother?’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison seeks out adoption when she finds out that there is no longer a chance of her getting pregnant. She meets with a woman who is seeking someone to adopt her baby; later that day Addison gets paged to the delivery room where the woman gives birth, and is heart-broken when the woman doesn't pick her to adopt her baby. Addison and Sam decide to break up.

Season 5, episode 13: ‘The time has come’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison and Jake go to a medical conference, and Addison gets drunk and pursues Jake, but tells her she isn't ready for sex.

Season 5, episode 16: ‘Andromeda’ | SHOULD WATCH

Jake reveals to Addison that he has feelings for her, while Amelia is revealed to be about twenty weeks pregnant.

Season 5, episode 18: ‘It was inevitable’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison tries to show Amelia that having a baby is one of the most wonderful things in the world, when Amelia continues to put off an ultrasound. Amelia eventually agrees. Later, Addison gets a call about a woman who picked Addison to be the adoptive parent of her baby.

Season 5, episode 20: ‘True colors’ | ADDITIONAL VIEWING

Sam begins to realize he still feels obligated to help Addison with Henry even though they aren't in a relationship anymore.

Season 5, episode 22: ‘Gone, baby, gone’ | MUST WATCH

All of the doctors of Seaside Health and Wellness go to Amelia's aid when she begins labor, but everyone is forced to put their personal feelings aside when Jake tells them that Amelia wanted to give her baby's organs up to other babies. After hearing Amelia in pain, Addison goes into help her. Addison and Jake sleep with each other after Amelia's surgery. Later, Sam proposes to Addison, proclaiming he's ready to have a family with her.

Season 6, episode 2: ‘Mourning sickness’ | MUST WATCH

Addison gets a call from Derek, who tells her that Mark Sloan was taken off life support, after which she tells Amelia, and confesses she wants Amelia to take care of Henry if she were to die.

Season 6, episode 3: ‘Good grief’ | MUST WATCH

Addison continues to grieve over Mark, and doesn't know if she should talk to Jake about it, but eventually decides to tell him everything about her past.

Season 6, episode 6: ‘Apron strings’ | SHOULD WATCH

Addison gets worried when Henry's biological mother comes back and starts wanting to see Henry more and more. Later, Addison finds out she is being sued. After Addison's mentor finds out that she is dying, she gets her affairs together, only for Addison to find out that the mentor had a daughter, and promises to hand deliver a letter to her. When Addison returns to visit her mentor, she finds that she has died, and goes to find her daughter to explain everything that had happened. At home Addison proposes to Jake.

Season 6, episode 7: ‘The world according to Jake’ | SHOULD WATCH

After Jake doesn't say anything in response to Addison's proposal, she makes him promise to never say anything about it again. After gaining some perspective and ‘talking to’ his late wife, he eventually tells Addison that if she still wants to spend the rest of her life with him, then she should ask him again. She does and is presented with an engagement ring.

Season 6, episode 13: ‘In which we say goodbye’ | MUST WATCH

Addison marries Jake, and she adjusts to married life, while there are major life events for others, including Amelia. The friends and colleagues at the practice say goodbye.

As someone who really liked how her story in PRIVATE PRACTICE ended, I just hope bringing her back to GREY’S doesn’t mean they undo her ‘happy ending’. In fact, it would be a pleasant surprise if we even see Henry and Jake as well. Now wouldn’t it be nice to see Benjamin Bratt on GREY’S ANATOMY!

HITS AND MISSES AT THE EMMYS: FROM ‘THE CROWN’ SWEEPING DRAMA TO THE LESS-THAN-ENTERTAINING HOST

The host of the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, Cedric ‘the Entertainer’ was far less entertaining than his screen name claims he is. However, THE CROWN swept the drama categories, while TED LASSO, MARE OF EASTTOWN won big. Here are the major lows and highs from the 2021 Emmys

THE LOWS

Cedric the Entertainer: What were they thinking!

Now I’m not familiar with Cedric the Entertainer’s work otherwise. I suppose he might be entertaining in general, when he has better material to work with perhaps. However, his turn as the emcee at this year’s Primetime Emmys was probably as dull as it could get. He didn’t command any attention, and his jokes fell flat, as did his sketches, particularly the bit where he was superimposed on a lake, on some old footage. His spoof on the fly on former US vice president, Mike Pence’s head was also a drag. And the bit backstage, where his ‘TV wives’ ganged up on him, was also completely dull. Cedric failed to even engage the audience, except for in the opening number, which was good. It was fun way to start the show, bringing the performance into the audience, especially since this was an in-person show after a while. However, since the audience were such an active part of this, it was really a performance that they could have done on their own, without a host having to kick-start it. If there was ever a year the Emmys could have gone without a host, this was it. We could have done without Cedric’s ‘entertainment’.

Presentations that fell flat

Several other presentations fell very flat, with Seth Rogen’s unfunny bit in the beginning about being in a closed room together, setting the tone for rather dull presentations of categories that followed. Even Amy Poehler, who’s otherwise so funny and amazing, was plain boring, as she tried to make something about what awards and categories are land as funny. I actually appreciated some of the presentations that were made without jokes, and instead just connected maybe an anecdote with the category, such as Sir Patrick Stewart’s, when he announced outstanding writing in a limited series, or the Olympians announcing the outstanding competition reality series. 

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT speeches—disrespectful and tone-deaf

The show deserved the awards it won, especially directing, for its captivating and mesmerizing quality among other things. However, the acceptance speeches by the winners left much to be desired. Scott Frank, who won for directing, disrespected the ceremony’s process by essentially being rude to the production team who played the music that they do when a winner needs to respect time and wrap up their speech. Frank’s reaction to the music made him seem entitled. Sure, he was being honored, but so were others, who may have gone over their time, but didn’t act rude about it. You’ve got to respect the ceremonial processes. And you’re not Debbie Allen, winning the honorary Governors Award for her career-wide achievement, earning her the special attention that she received and deserved. 

To make it worse, William Horberg, executive producer of THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT, who made the speech when the show won outstanding limited series, made a tone-deaf comment. He said that the show’s lead actress Anya Taylor-Joy brought back sexy to the game of chess, and he also said that the patriarchy had ‘no defense against our queens’. Which part was problematic? I suppose it’s clear enough, as is the contradiction and the hollowness.

THE HIGHS 

Kate Winslet and MARE OF EASTTOWN winning

Kate Winslet is such a seasoned awards-winner, who can just nail it at any awards acceptance podium, without ever sounding like she’s ‘been there done that’. The passion for her work and the enthusiasm over winning and appreciation for being recognized always come through. And that was the case this time too, as she won lead actress in a limited series for MARE OF EASTTOWN. She made a comment about women having each other’s backs, while also mentioning her own family, and her coworkers, with love and respect. She touched upon everything meaningful that one can, in those short 45 seconds, and did it with a lot of heart. She was fantastic. Evan Peters was also endearing as he shouted out to Winslet, thanking her for ‘being Kate Winslet’, while also thanking all the people who helped him achieve his Emmy-winning performance. Even Julianne Nicholson, whose win was a pleasant surprise—because she wasn’t a frontrunner, but absolutely deserved it for her gut-wrenching performance—shouted out to Winslet, for leading and supporting the cast and inspiring them. All these performances being rewarded was excellent. The show deserved everything it won and more. It was a performance powerhouse over and above everything, and that was recognized.

TED LASSO’s wins and speeches by Hannah Waddingham and others

Probably the most heartfelt acceptance speech, coming from a humble place and genuine appreciation for the opportunity and the recognition that came from TED LASSO, Jason Sudeikis and the Emmys, was Hannah Waddingham’s. She won the first Emmy of the night and was exhilarated. It was endearing, charming, honest and real. All the shrieking and expression of her thrill was infectious. I loved it. And then Brett Goldstein also won, and he dropped the ‘F-bomb’ twice, even though he said he wasn’t supposed to. It was a funny nod to his character, Roy Kent, who he seems to be like in real life. It was a short and sweet speech. Jason Sudeikis won lead actor and TED LASSO won the top comedy prize at the end, making it a total of four main Emmys. I thought they would win more (the rest of the comedy categories went to HACKS), however, it was so good to see one of the best ongoing shows these days getting so much love and recognition.

Crowned at last: THE CROWN 

For three seasons, THE CROWN didn’t win outstanding drama series, but I just knew it would one day. Season four had to be the season for it to finally happen. That it would be an overwhelming sweep came as a delightful surprise, all the while knowing that they deserved every win (maybe not so much Tobias Menzies, who, I thought, paled in comparison with his predecessor Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip previously on the show). The show ended up winning all seven main drama awards—including outstanding drama series, lead actor for Josh O’Connor, supporting actress for Gillian Anderson, writing, directing, and lead actress. It was particularly surprising to see Olivia Colman winning for playing the queen, especially since the season’s strengths had so much to do with Lady Diana and the portrayal by Emma Corrin, who was a frontrunner for lead actress drama. However, through Colman’s two seasons as Queen Elizabeth and her not being recognized as much as her costars have, I always thought she was that cast’s unsung leader and the show would have been quite weak without the value she brought to it. So I was thrilled to see her win and getting rewarded for her final turn as the queen in this series. Her speech was short and sweet, and very genuine, like she always is, as he even mentioned how she missed her father, who she lost to COVID. And her little shout-out to Michaela Coel—who had won for writing in a limited series for I MAY DESTROY YOU, and dedicated her award to all survivors of sexual assault—was very cute, and a sweet nod to a meaningful dedication.

Debbie Allen and Jean Smart being honored and with standing ovations

Debbie Allen was honored with the Governors Award for career achievement, as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, producer, director, actress, etc. She made a huge mark with her presence alone. She made a strong speech and urged people to claim what they deserve and raise their voices and tell their stories. Allen is quite phenomenal and impressive, and it was amazing to see her in the spotlight, commanding everyone’s attention and respect, while being so inspiring. It was particularly nice to see Ellen Pompeo and on-screen son Jesse Williams, from her GREY’S ANATOMY family, showing up for her. 

I was also impressed with Jean Smart’s presence, as she accepted her comedy lead actress Emmy for HACKS. Like Debbie Allen, she got a standing ovation, and commanded respect, while being so humble and graceful. I particularly feel for women of a certain age being recognized and respected, in an industry that is generally partial to men, particularly in a certain age group. And Jean Smart is so talented. Seeing her being awarded was amazing.

The ‘no-Emmy support group’ and other good presentations

A few presentations were actually funny, and kind of made up for the show that was largely quite lackluster otherwise. The sketch about the ‘no-Emmy support group’ was hilarious. It was so sporting of Alyson Hannigan, Scott Bakula, Jason Alexander and Zooey Deschanel—who have never won—to do this bit about how they feel about never having won, especially after being in the industry for decades. The funniest was Fred Savage popping up and complaining about how he had still not won, even though he already had two nominations by the age of 14. And winding it up, was Dr. Phil, who walked in and advised them to get booked on THE CROWN or TED LASSO if they wanted to win. It was the perfect punchline. Jennifer Coolidge was also funny, as she spoke ironically of actors overcoming the handicap of being men in this industry. Her delivery was excellent in her signature style! Even the bit by BLACK-ISH’s Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, who spoke about how ‘syndication’ was better than marriage was funny. And then there was the SCHITT’S CREEK family of Roses—Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy and Dan Levy—presenting writing and directing for a comedy series. Some didn’t like it, but I thought it was cute—the whole bit about how Eugene pissed off writers by telling them to ‘lift their dialogue’ and how he was punished for it on stage, with a blank teleprompter. It was sweet, especially because it went with his Johnny Rose image, and the rest of the ‘Roses’ followed their cues to be a little like their characters from the beloved show.  It was a nice little throwback to last year’s sweep of the comedy categories by SCHITT’S CREEK. 

And this year, it was THE CROWN that swept drama. Finally, here are all THE CROWN’s wins and the rest of the main scripted series results from the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards last night: 

DRAMA SERIES

Outstanding Drama Series

THE BOYS

BRIDGERTON

THE CROWN

THE MANDALORIAN

LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

POSE

THE HANDMAID'S TALE

THIS IS US

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Emma Corrin, THE CROWN

Olivia Colman, THE CROWN

Uzo Aduba, IN TREATMENT

Elisabeth Moss, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Jurnee Smollett, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

MJ Rodriguez, POSE

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Regé-Jean Page, BRIDGERTON

Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US

Billy Porter, POSE

Jonathan Majors, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Matthew Rhys, PERRY MASON

Josh O'Connor, THE CROWN

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gillian Anderson, THE CROWN

Helena Bonham Carter, THE CROWN

Emerald Fennell, THE CROWN

Ann Dowd, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Yvonne Strahovski, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Samira Wiley, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Madeline Brewer, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Aunjanue Ellis, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Michael K. Williams, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Bradley Whitford, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Max Minghella, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

O-T Fagbenle, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

John Lithgow, PERRY MASON

Tobias Menzies, THE CROWN

Giancarlo Esposito, THE MANDALORIAN

Chris Sullivan, THIS IS US

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Julie Anne Robinson, BRIDGERTON

Steven Canals, POSE

Benjamin Caron, THE CROWN (‘Fairytale’)

Jessica Hobbs, THE CROWN (‘War’)

Liz Garbus, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Jon Favreau, THE MANDALORIAN

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Rebecca Sonnenshine, THE BOYS

Peter Morgan, THE CROWN

Yahlin Chang, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Misha Green, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Dave Filoni, THE MANDALORIAN 

Jon Favreau, THE MANDALORIAN 

Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, POSE

COMEDY SERIES

Outstanding Comedy Series

BLACK-ISH

COBRA KAI

PEN15

EMILY IN PARIS

HACKS

TED LASSO

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant, SHRILL

Jean Smart, HACKS

Allison Janney, MOM

Kaley Cuoco, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Tracee Ellis Ross, BLACK-ISH

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jason Sudeikis, TED LASSO

Anthony Anderson, BLACK-ISH

Michael Douglas, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

William H. Macy, SHAMELESS

Kenan Thompson, KENAN

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Kate McKinnon, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Cecily Strong, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Aidy Bryant, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Rosie Perez, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Hannah Einbinder, HACKS

Hannah Waddingham, TED LASSO

Juno Temple, TED LASSO

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Bowen Yang, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Kenan Thompson, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Brett Goldstein, TED LASSO

Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO

Nick Mohammed, TED LASSO

Jeremy Swift, TED LASSO

Paul Reiser, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

Carl Clemons-Hopkins, HACKS

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

James Burrows, B POSITIVE

Lucia Aniello, HACKS

James Widdoes, MOM

Declan Lowney, TED LASSO (‘Make Rebecca great again’)

Zach Braff, TED LASSO (‘Biscuits’)

MJ Delaney, TED LASSO (‘The hope that kills you’)

Susanna Fogel, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Steve Yockey, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Meredith Scardino, GIRLS5EVA

Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, HACKS

Maya Erskine, PEN15

Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, TED LASSO (‘Make Rebecca great again’)

Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO (‘Pilot’)

LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

MARE OF EASTTOWN

I MAY DESTROY YOU

WANDAVISION

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Kate Winslet, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Anya Taylor-Joy, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Elizabeth Olsen, WANDAVISION

Cynthia Erivo, GENIUS: ARETHA

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Paul Bettany, WANDAVISION

Hugh Grant, THE UNDOING

Ewan McGregor, HALSTON

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton

Leslie Odom Jr., Hamilton

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Daveed Diggs, Hamilton

Jonathan Groff, Hamilton

Anthony Ramos, Hamilton

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Evan Peters, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Paapa Essiedu, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jean Smart, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Julianne Nicholson, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Kathryn Hahn, WANDAVISION

Phillipa Soo, Hamilton

Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton

Moses Ingram, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Thomas Kail, Hamilton

Sam Miller, Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Sam Miller, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Craig Zobel, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Scott Frank, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Barry Jenkins, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Matt Shakman, WANDAVISION

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Brad Ingelsby, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Scott Frank, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Chuck Hayward, Peter Cameron, WANDAVISION

Jac Schaeffer, WANDAVISION

Laura Donney, WANDAVISION

EMMYS 2021 PREDICTIONS: ‘THE CROWN’, ‘TED LASSO’, ‘THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT’ WILL WIN BIG

From the looks of it, this year’s Emmys will present almost clean sweeps for THE CROWN and TED LASSO, in drama and comedy, respectively. For limited series, it’s going to be a mix of WANDAVISION, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT and MARE OF EASTTOWN. The likelihood of these shows taking away most of the prizes this Sunday could also get thrown up in the air, as the Television Academy can often be unpredictable and award the least likely nominees even. Among other contenders, POSE could present an upset in drama, and HACKS and THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT in comedy (though I’ll probably scream if BRIDGERTON or EMILY IN PARIS wins anything). Until then though, here are the predictions…

 

DRAMA SERIES

Outstanding Drama Series

THE BOYS

BRIDGERTON

THE CROWN

THE MANDALORIAN

LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

POSE

THE HANDMAID'S TALE

THIS IS US

This is THE CROWN’s year. It hasn’t won before, even though any of the previous seasons were worthy enough, especially the first. However, this the most solid season the show has had since that one, in terms of the response and reviews. And I think the Television Academy will finally reward it.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Emma Corrin, THE CROWN

Olivia Colman, THE CROWN

Uzo Aduba, IN TREATMENT

Elisabeth Moss, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Jurnee Smollett, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

MJ Rodriguez, POSE

Emma Corrin has won almost everything else for her sensitive portrayal of Diana. It would be a surprise if anyone else wins here. The surprise would be pleasant though if Olivia Colman were to win. MJ Rodriguez could also just win this.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Regé-Jean Page, BRIDGERTON

Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US

Billy Porter, POSE

Jonathan Majors, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Matthew Rhys, PERRY MASON

Josh O'Connor, THE CROWN

Josh O’Connor’s a clear favorite for his infuriating yet charming portrayal of Charles. I doubt anyone else stands a chance. Yet, Billy Porter’s odds of winning are better than all the others, especially since he has won this before.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gillian Anderson, THE CROWN

Helena Bonham Carter, THE CROWN

Emerald Fennell, THE CROWN

Ann Dowd, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Yvonne Strahovski, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Samira Wiley, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Madeline Brewer, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Aunjanue Ellis, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Oh I would love to see Helena Bonham-Carter win for her tremendous work as Princess Margaret. I wish she had won last year, since season three was stronger for her character. While THE CROWN will win in this category this year, it’s going to be the highly talked-about portrayal of Margaret Thatcher by Gillian Anderson.  

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Michael K. Williams, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Bradley Whitford, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Max Minghella, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

O-T Fagbenle, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

John Lithgow, PERRY MASON

Tobias Menzies, THE CROWN

Giancarlo Esposito, THE MANDALORIAN

Chris Sullivan, THIS IS US

The late Michael Williams seems to be a favorite for this category. The actor who passed away last week will win his only ever Emmy, posthumously.

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Julie Anne Robinson, BRIDGERTON

Steven Canals, POSE

Benjamin Caron, THE CROWN (‘Fairytale’)

Jessica Hobbs, THE CROWN (‘War’)

Liz Garbus, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Jon Favreau, THE MANDALORIAN

THE CROWN is winning this one as well. I think the episode ‘Fairytale’ by Benjamin Caron will win for its beautiful depiction of the other side of the ‘fairytale’ marriage of Diana and Charles, which was just about going to unravel.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Rebecca Sonnenshine, THE BOYS

Peter Morgan, THE CROWN

Yahlin Chang, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Misha Green, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY

Dave Filoni, THE MANDALORIAN 

Jon Favreau, THE MANDALORIAN 

Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, POSE

THE CROWN will win for its season finale, which was so rich in its dialogue especially, saying so much without stating absolutes. That is what’s so brilliant about this show and its depiction of the very measured and reserved members of the royal family.

COMEDY SERIES

Outstanding Comedy Series

BLACK-ISH

COBRA KAI

PEN15

EMILY IN PARIS

HACKS

TED LASSO

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

This is TED LASSO’s year. It’s winning this without a doubt. It may event take away more than one acting award. It will win directing and writing as well. But its most predictable win is in this category.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant, SHRILL

Jean Smart, HACKS

Allison Janney, MOM

Kaley Cuoco, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Tracee Ellis Ross, BLACK-ISH

I wish I could say that Kaley Cuoco will win this one. However, it seems like Jean Smart is a favorite. I would love to be surprised, but I think this one will go as expected.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jason Sudeikis, TED LASSO

Anthony Anderson, BLACK-ISH

Michael Douglas, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

William H. Macy, SHAMELESS

Kenan Thompson, KENAN

There’s no chance anyone else will come close. This is TED LASSO’s year. Sudeikis is winning, hands down.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Kate McKinnon, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Cecily Strong, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Aidy Bryant, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Rosie Perez, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Hannah Einbinder, HACKS

Hannah Waddingham, TED LASSO

Juno Temple, TED LASSO

I think Hannah Waddingham is winning this one. She has such a commanding presence in every scene, yet brings out such vulnerability and sensitivity in Rebecca—a very nuanced performance indeed.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Bowen Yang, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Kenan Thompson, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Brett Goldstein, TED LASSO

Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO

Nick Mohammed, TED LASSO

Jeremy Swift, TED LASSO

Paul Reiser, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

Carl Clemons-Hopkins, HACKS

I think Brett Goldstein will win this one. Though he does have a disadvantage, with the TED LASSO votes likely to be split four ways. If the show doesn’t win in this category, I think the win could go to Kenan Thompson. 

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

James Burrows, B POSITIVE

Lucia Aniello, HACKS

James Widdoes, MOM

Declan Lowney, TED LASSO (‘Make Rebecca great again’)

Zach Braff, TED LASSO (‘Biscuits’)

MJ Delaney, TED LASSO (‘The hope that kills you’)

Susanna Fogel, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

TED LASSO is winning for sure. Which episode? Any of them could win, but I think ‘Biscuits’ by Zach Braff will take it away. It’s when we really got to see different shades of the characters, with layers and preconceived notions being peeled away, and the directing helped bring it all together

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Steve Yockey, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Meredith Scardino, GIRLS5EVA

Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, HACKS

Maya Erskine, PEN15

Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, TED LASSO (‘Make Rebecca great again’)

Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO (‘Pilot’)

TED LASSO all the way! Which episode? I’ll go with the ‘Pilot’, which set the tone so well for the rest of this series that is so, so unique and lovely. Also, the Television Academy loves pilots.

LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

MARE OF EASTTOWN

I MAY DESTROY YOU

WANDAVISION

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

This very difficult to predict. I was blown away by both THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT and MARE OF EASTTOWN. Since I saw the latter more recently, I might be inclined to vote in its favor, if I were a voting Academy member, but I can’t forget how fascinated I was with everything about the chess show. I think for its story and layered subject matter and characters, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT will win.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Kate Winslet, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Anya Taylor-Joy, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Elizabeth Olsen, WANDAVISION

Cynthia Erivo, GENIUS: ARETHA

Before MARE OF EASTTOWN, this was Anya Taylor-Joy’s to lose. She’d won everything else until then. However, with the Emmy’s off-calendar-year cycle putting MARE into consideration, it makes it very hard to not give this to anyone other than Kate Winslet, who delivered what many have called her career’s best work.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Paul Bettany, WANDAVISION

Hugh Grant, THE UNDOING

Ewan McGregor, HALSTON

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton

Leslie Odom Jr., Hamilton

Hugh Grant has a good shot at this one. His was probably the most talked-about performance from THE UNDOING. However, I think Paul Bettany will win this for his calm and restrained delivery of Vision. It will probably be the first acting win for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Daveed Diggs, Hamilton

Jonathan Groff, Hamilton

Anthony Ramos, Hamilton

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Evan Peters, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Paapa Essiedu, I MAY DESTROY YOU

I really would love to see Evan Peters win for MARE OF EASTTOWN. His sensitive and endearing portrayal of Colin Zabel made a big impact, and this role got people talking, as they began to recognize talent that they may not have seen in him before. And I think for that reason, he will win. People love to appreciate talent coming of age.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Jean Smart, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Julianne Nicholson, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Kathryn Hahn, WANDAVISION

Phillipa Soo, Hamilton

Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton

Moses Ingram, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Though I would love to see Julianne Nicholson or Jean Smart win, I think it’ll be Katherine Hahn, who stole the show towards the end of WANDAVISION and had everyone talking and making memes. And with Jean Smart being a frontrunner in comedy, I think the Academy might anyway go with someone else for this one.

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Thomas Kail, Hamilton

Sam Miller, Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Sam Miller, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Craig Zobel, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Scott Frank, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Barry Jenkins, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Matt Shakman, WANDAVISION

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT had a mesmerizing quality to it throughout. The captivating nature of this series is bound to be rewarded. MARE OF EASTTOWN’s very delicate handling of every scene could win, but I think it will be the GAMBIT.

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel, I MAY DESTROY YOU

Brad Ingelsby, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Scott Frank, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Chuck Hayward, Peter Cameron, WANDAVISION

Jac Schaeffer, WANDAVISION

Laura Donney, WANDAVISION

I suspect that MARE OF EASTTOWN’s nuanced storytelling and detailed characters will win it this award for writing. Something so rich in character and dialogue should win.

ALREADY ANNOUNCED AT THE CREATIVE ARTS EMMYS LAST WEEKEND:

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Alexis Bledel, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Mckenna Grace, THE HANDMAID'S TALE

Claire Foy, THE CROWN | WON

Phylicia Rashad, THIS IS US

Sophie Okonedo, RATCHED

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Courtney B. Vance, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY | WON

Charles Dance, THE CROWN

Don Cheadle, THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER

Timothy Olyphant, THE MANDALORIAN

Carl Weathers, THE MANDALORIAN

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Maya Rudolph, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE | WON

Kristen Wiig, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Issa Rae, A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW

Jane Adams, HACKS

Bernadette Peters, ZOEY'S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST

Yvette Nicole Brown, A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Dave Chappelle, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE | WON

Daniel Kaluuya, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Dan Levy, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Morgan Freeman, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

Outstanding Television Movie

Uncle Frank

Sylvie's Love

Oslo

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia

Dolly Parton's Christmas on The Square | WON