Emmys 2019 predictions: In a sea of 'Game of Thrones' nominations, these other contenders stand a strong chance too
Apologies for starting with a cliche, but the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards are just right around the corner. We already know that in terms of nominations, HBO's infamous final and eighth season of 'Game of Thrones' is reigning with a solid 32 nominations, followed by Amazon Prime Video's 'The Marvelous Mr. Maisel', and HBO's equally brilliant 'Chernobyl' which left us all pretty unraveled.
Top contenders aside, streaming portals are at war with TV networks once again, with Netflix competing against HBO and Hulu coming through as a strong contender for Amazon. Taking all of that into account, and based on crazy fan reactions and critics reviews alike, here are our predictions for the main categories at the 2019 Emmy Awards.
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul
Bodyguard
Game of Thrones
Killing Eve
Ozark
Pose
Succession
This Is Us
While BBC America's 'Killing Eve' or the iconic Billy Porter starrer 'Pose' should be a clear win, looks like 'Game of Thrones' will get the nod in this category purely as a tribute to the magic the show has weaved in the last decade or so.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Barry
Fleabag
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Russian Doll
Schitt's Creek
Veep
Like 'Thrones', Julia Louis-Dreyfus starrer 'Veep' could also emerge victorious as a respectful send-off after it wrapped up with the final seventh season. But if rationally looked at, 'Fleabag' is a clear win, hands down.
Outstanding Limited Series
Chernobyl
Escape at Dannemora
Fosse/Verdon
Sharp Objects
When They See Us
This one's a difficult pick - the one that we would like to sit out purely because each is at par with the other. But we shall narrow it down to a tie between 'Chernobyl' and 'When They See Us', purely because both are real-life stories that will leave you with some deeply unsettling impact.
Outstanding Television Movie
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Brexit
Deadwood: The Movie
King Lear
My Dinner With Herve
'Black Mirror: Bandersnatch' was an immediate hit with its viewer-interactive narrative and the multiple possible endings that the story would reach. Yet 'Deadwood: The Movie' might take the trophy purely because it would be a long-overdue nod to the original film that arrived 13 years ago.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Laura Linney, Ozark
Mandy Moore, This Is Us
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Funny that Emilia Clarke's work as Danerys would be recognized in the last season where not only was her character poorly written, but the actress was also barely left with anything to work with. The clear winner here should be Jodie Comer for her work as a multilingual professional Russian assassin Villanelle in 'Killing Eve.' Nobody does a petulant sociopath better!
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Kit Harington, Game of Thrones
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Billy Porter, Pose
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us
It's about time we acknowledge Sterling K. Brown's brilliance in 'This is Us'. But in all probability, Bob Odenkirk should finally get his Emmy after consistently being almost there for four years now, via 'Better Call Saul'.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll
Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
Despite this being Julia Louis-Dreyfus' final recognition for 'Veep', we are counting on Emmys to acknowledge the otherworldly charm of Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the eponymous 'Fleabag'. Please!
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Bill Hader, Barry
Eugene Levy, Schitt's Creek
'Schitt's Creek' may have finally been recognized for its humor, but Bill Hader is the obvious winner here. It should be no other way.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Amy Adams, Sharp Objects
Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora
Aunjanue Ellis, When They See Us
Joey King, The Act
Niecy Nash, When They See Us
Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon
While Amy Adams totally deserves an Emmy for 'Sharp Objects', as the first time nominee, Michelle Williams' transformation into real-life actress and dancer Gwen Verdon in 'Fosse/Verdon' could score her a trophy too. Patricia Arquette's lifelike representation of the Dannemora prison escape accomplice Tilly Mitchell is a strong contender too.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Mahershala Ali, True Detective
Benicio Del Toro, Escape at Dannemora
Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal
Jared Harris, Chernobyl
Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us
Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon
The nuance portrayed by Jharell Jerome as both the young and adult version of Korey Wise, one of the Central Park Five should not be dimmed by any other performance. Not a chance.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gwendoline Christie, Game of Thrones
Julia Garner, Ozark
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve
Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones
Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones
As much as we're rooting for Fiona Shaw's sassy, snarky, impeccably dressed MI6 agent in 'Killing Eve' to be finally recognized, this is probably the only category we wholeheartedly support Thrones' nomination, only for Gwendoline Christie, because the actress self-nominated her performance which was rightfully earned.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Alfie Allen, Game of Thrones
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul
Michael Kelly, House of Cards
Chris Sullivan, This Is Us
Okay, another clear win for 'Thrones' but as opposed to the very obvious win for Peter Dinklage, it should go to Alfie Allen for the way he brought Theon Greyjoy to life.
The 2019 Emmy Awards will air live on Sunday, September 22, from 8 pm, only on Fox.