Jenna’s 2018 Emmy Award Predictions

September 11, 2018

With the Emmy awards less than a week away, it feels like the perfect time to add to the speculation and cast my vote on who might win big. There is an interesting mix this year as the nominations feature both new shows and reigning ones that took home last year’s awards.

With such an incredible amount of talent, it’s going to be very difficult for me to pick the potential winners. But here it goes: these are my predictions on who’ll score the gold at the 2018 Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Comedy Series:
Nominees:

Atlanta, Barry, black-ish, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glow, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Silicon Valley, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Jenna’s Pick: Atlanta

With another fantastic season under its belt, it shouldn’t surprise people if Atlanta won this category. While it was nominated in 2017 as well, Veep won last year. But as it’s out of the race this year, Atlanta has a clear path to Emmy victory.

Outstanding Drama Series:
Nominees:

The Americans, The Crown, Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things, This Is Us, Westworld

Jenna’s Pick: Game of Thrones or The Handmaid’s Tale

It’s hard to choose between Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale – both are brilliant shows that were well-received by critics and fans alike. Game of Thrones was ineligible last year and The Handmaid’s Tale won. However, with Game of Thrones back in the race, it’s just too close to call.

Outstanding Limited Series:
Nominees:

The Alienist, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Godless, Genius, Patrick Melrose

Jenna’s Pick: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Since 2017’s winner Big Little Lies is not running this year, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story has a very good chance to claim the top spot at the Emmy’s. It has won 18 Emmy nominations, with its compelling narrative, beautiful acting and rich visuals raking in praise from critics.

 Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Nominees:

Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Ted Danson (The Good Place), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Donald Glover (Atlanta), Bill Hader (Barry), William H. Macy (Shameless)

Jenna’s Pick: Bill Hader (Barry)

Last year, Donald Glover won this category for his role in Atlanta. However, emerging as a dark horse, Bill Hader’s touching performance as a hitman-turned-actor in Barry might result in an Emmy award, which would stop Glover from bagging it for two years in a row.

 Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Nominees:

Pamela Adlon (Better Things), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Allison Janney (Mom), Issa Rae (Insecure), Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish), Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)

Jenna’s Pick: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Rachel Brosnahan’s portrayal in this Amazon series is truly vibrant, refreshing and inspiring. Having bagged 14 massive Emmy nominations and a Golden Globes win in an identical category, Brosnahan seems poised to claim the gold for this one.

 Lead Actor in Limited Series or Movie:
Nominees:

Antonio Banderas (Genius), Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story), Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose), Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower), John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar), Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister)

Jenna’s Pick: Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)

Darren Criss’s performance as the psychopathic serial killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story was nothing short of extraordinary. With the series already sweeping the Emmy nominations, Criss is a very strong contender who could easily win this one.

 Lead Actress in Limited Series or Movie
Nominees:

Jessica Biel (The Sinner), Laura Dern (The Tale), Michelle Dockery (Godless), Edie Falco (Law & Order: The Menendez Murders), Regina King (Seven Seconds), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Cult)

Jenna’s Pick: Laura Dern (The Tale)

This impassioned movie, with the immensely talented Dern as the lead, is as impactful as it is gut-wrenching. Laura Dern’s powerful and soul-stirring performance in this one should get the appreciation it so rightly deserves.

 Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Nominees:

Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), Jason Bateman (Ozark), Ed Harris (Westworld), Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Milo

Jenna’s Pick: Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us), Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) or Matthew Rhys (The Americans)

With The Americans ending this year, it would be a glorious send-off if Matthew Rhys wins. However, giving tough competition to him is Milo Ventimiglia and Jeffrey Wright. It’s difficult to choose among them as all three actors delivered knockout performances in their respective roles.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Nominees:

Claire Foy (The Crown), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), Keri Russell (The Americans), Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)

Jenna’s Pick: Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)

She took this award home in 2017, and she probably will again this year. While there is stiff competition, Elizabeth Moss’s turn in the season 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale was much more layered and intense than the previous season. So, her gripping performance might result in Emmy gold.

There were many astonishing nominations along with expected ones for the 70th annual Emmy Awards. Also, many consistent shows fell out of the race. That’s probably a pretty good indication that there will be some major surprises on the big night. Well, one thing is for sure – the glittery night of September 17 is bound to be exciting, to say the least!