LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES
I May Destroy You (HBO)
Mare of Easttown (HBO)
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
The Underground Railroad (Prime)
WandaVision (Disney+)
Will and should win: Mare of Easttown
Could win: The Queen’s Gambit
Should have been here: Fargo (FX)
The skinny: It’s a coin-flip for which series will steamroll these awards. I’m hedging my bets a bit (as you’ll see later). It felt like Mare of Easttown had all the momentum. It aired more recently, actually grew its viewership, and is generally well-regarded by everyone. But if last week’s Creative Arts Emmys are any indication, The Queen’s Gambit is coming for everything. It’s allegedly the most-watched Netflix show of all time, and features a star-making turn by Anya Taylor-Joy. I’m still going with Mare, but that might just be my preference talking.
ACTOR IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Paul Bettany, WandaVision
Hugh Grant, The Undoing
Ewan McGregor, Halston
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton
Will win: Leslie Odom, Jr.
Could win: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Should win: Hugh Grant
Should have been here: Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird
The skinny: Here’s where I say for as great as Hamilton is, its time for awards is over. This is literally a filmed performance of the same cast that won a Grammy, a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. They should not be eligible for TV acting awards. But that doesn’t mean it’s not winning some major categories. But if there are enough voters who feel like me, then it’s anyone’s game.
ACTRESS IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
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
Will and should win: Kate Winslet
Could win: Anya Taylor-Joy
Should have been here: N/A
The skinny: This is the closest an Emmy race has maybe ever been? I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a Hepburn/Streisand-esque tie on our hands.
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Queen’s Gambit
Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Paapa Essiedu, I May Destroy You
Jonathan Groff, Hamilton
Evan Peters, Mare of Easttown
Anthony Ramos, Hamilton
Will and should win: Evan Peters
Could win: Daveed Diggs
Should have been here: Bill Camp, The Queen’s Gambit
The skinny: As dominant as The Queen’s Gambit is everywhere else, voters sure picked the least deserving Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress nominees. So I think the three Hamilton actors will split the vote, leaving Evan Peters to pick up a richly deserved award.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Renée 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
Will and should win: Jean Smart
Could win: Renée Elise Goldsberry
Should have been here: Marielle Heller, The Queen’s Gambit
The skinny: If Heller was here, she’d probably have the advantage. But since she’s not, it looks like Smart will be the rare actor to pick up two awards for acting in the same night.
WRITING FOR A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
I May Destroy You
Mare of Easttown
The Queen’s Gambit
WandaVision (“All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”)
WandaVision (“Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”)
WandaVision (“Previously On”)
Will win: The Queen’s Gambit
Could win: Mare of Easttown
Should win: I May Destroy You
Should have been here: It’s a Sin
The skinny: Here’s where I hedge my bets and think Scott Frank picks up both of these awards. As much as I love his work, I think a split would be more appropriate. Still, it feels like they’re stealing Michaela Coel’s spotlight. She’s not winning anything else, and the voice of the show is all her.
DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Hamilton
I May Destroy You (“Ego Death”)
I May Destroy You (“Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes”)
Mare of Easttown
The Queen’s Gambit
The Underground Railroad
WandaVision
Will win: The Queen’s Gambit
Could win: WandaVision
Should win: The Underground Railroad
Should have been here: Small Axe
The skinny: I feel the same as above, but this time they’re taking Barry Jenkins’s spotlight.