The 2024 Emmys BuzzMeter looks at the awards possibilities
The daylight hours are getting longer — which might mean you’d rather not spend all your free time catching up on the best TV you’ve missed this past year. Fear not, the Emmys BuzzMeter panelists are here to cut through the clutter with our Round 1 picks.
This early round is all about the “buzz”: a mix of shows and names that already have people’s attention as well as those we think deserve to be in the conversation as the 2024 Emmys race heats up. Use it as a viewing guide or tell us why we're wrong (we know how the internet works). The six of us have ranked our picks in 14 of the main categories, with our top choices earning the most points. Round 2 will be our predictions for what will actually get nominated by the Television Academy on July 17. In Round 3, we’ll predict the winners ahead of the Sept. 15 ceremony.
1. “Shōgun”
2. “Fallout”
3. “The Gilded Age”
4. “The Crown”
5. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
6. “Slow Horses”
7. (tie) “The Curse”
7. (tie) “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters”
9. “3 Body Problem”
10. “The Morning Show”
11. (tie) “Elsbeth”
11. (tie) “For All Mankind”
13. (tie) “Ahsoka”
13. (tie) “Found”
13. (tie) “Sugar”
16. “Tokyo Vice”
Nearly every series nominated last year is nowhere to be found for the 2024 race — reigning winner “Succession” and perennial nominee “Better Call Saul” concluded their runs last year and new seasons of “Andor,” “House of the Dragon,” “The Last of Us,” “The White Lotus” and “Yellowjackets” have yet to air (most are still in various stages of production).
With the race seemingly wide open, most panelists have thrown their weight behind new shows. Coming out on top in these early rankings is “Shōgun,” FX’s historical drama that many had initially presumed would be competing in the limited series categories until FX made the Season 2 (and 3) renewal official. That shakeup reverberated throughout all the drama categories. “It deserves to win everything,” says Times columnist Glenn Whipp.
Other new shows the panelists are enthusiastic about include Prime Video’s stylish postapocalyptic video game adaptation “Fallout” and its character-driven spy thriller “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
Two different sorts of period dramas, HBO's frivolously fun “The Gilded Age” and Netflix's past winner “The Crown” (a “Television Academy favorite,” laments Times columnist Lorraine Ali) round out the top five.
While panelist Matt Roush makes his case for “two neglected Apple TV+ favorites, ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘For All Mankind,’” to finally “pique Emmy voters’ interest,” Trey Mangum says new network TV standouts “Elsbeth” and “Found” “should be injected into the conversation.” And I think an Emmy nod for Apple TV+'s "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" would pair nicely with Godzilla's Oscar win (visual effects for "Godzilla Minus One") from earlier this year.
Also among the whopping 16 shows the panelists think you should add to your FYC viewing queue are Apple TV+’s media workplace drama “The Morning Show,” Netflix’s sci-fi epic “3 Body Problem,” Disney+'s latest Star Wars installment, "Ahsoka," and Max’s cross-cultural crime thriller “Tokyo Vice.”
1. Anna Sawai (“Shōgun”)
2. Ella Purnell (“Fallout”)
3. Emma Stone (“The Curse”)
4. Carrie Coon (“The Gilded Age”)
5. Maya Erskine (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”)
6. Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”)
7. Shanola Hampton (“Found”)
8. Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”)
9. (tie) Carrie Preston (“Elsbeth”)
9. (tie) Reese Witherspoon (“The Morning Show”)
11. Jess Hong (“3 Body Problem”)
Nobody from last year’s class of nominees is eligible this time, which leaves the field wide open for new faces. At (or near) the top of every panelist’s list for this round is Anna Sawai, who, as Lorraine Ali says, “impresses with her quiet-storm performance in ‘Shōgun’ as the conflicted interpreter, Mariko.”
“Fallout’s” breakout star Ella Purnell, who plays an upbeat and (bomb-) sheltered survivor who learns some harsh truths about her postapocalyptic world after venturing out to the surface, also has won over a majority of the panelists.
Rounding out the top three is Emma Stone, who just won her second Oscar. “Were it not for Anna Sawai ('Shōgun'), I wouldn’t begrudge her winning an Emmy for expertly playing the least self-aware person in the history of the world in ‘The Curse,’" says Glenn Whipp.
Panelist Kristen Baldwin says, “Maya Erskine deserves her first acting nod for her delightfully deadpan turn in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’“ Matt Roush insists Carrie Coon also “deserves notice” for “rising above the fluff of ‘The Gilded Age.’" Trey Mangum, meanwhile, makes the case for Shanola Hampton, who “makes anchoring her own vehicle look easy on NBC’s ‘Found.’”
Also on the panelists’ radar are “The Morning Show’s” Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon — the only contenders whose nominations would be repeats — as well as an expected nod for Imelda Staunton for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown.”
1. Hiroyuki Sanada ("Shōgun")
2. Walton Goggins (“Fallout”)
3. Donald Glover (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”)
4. Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses”)
5. Ncuti Gatwa ("Doctor Who")
6. Cosmo Jarvis ("Shōgun”)
7. (tie) Jacob Anderson ("Interview With the Vampire")
7. (tie) Dominic West (“The Crown”)
9. (tie) Idris Elba (“Hijack”)
9. (tie) Zahn McClarnon (“Dark Winds”)
11. (tie) Nathan Fielder (“The Curse”)
11. (tie) Omar Sy (“Lupin”)
Much like drama lead actress, the lead actor category will see a completely new slate of names compared to last year’s nominees. Panelists have used the opportunity to advocate for a mix of new and overlooked favorites to make the cut this year.
The overwhelming front-runner in this round is Hiroyuki Sanada, who is the shōgun of “Shōgun.” As the quietly ambitious Lord Toranaga, “The Japanese martial arts star has room to stretch beyond impressive swordfighting scenes … and he slays,” says Lorraine Ali.
A close second is Walton Goggins, whose string of “morally ambiguous characters that you can’t help but love,” as panelist Glenn Whipp puts it, continues with his role on “Fallout.” Kristen Baldwin echoes the sentiment, insisting, “This is the year that Emmy voters shall rain down accolades on Walton Goggins, who commands the screen as the fearsome and funny Ghoul.”
Besides these buzziest newcomers, panelists are urging Emmy voters to finally consider actors from returning shows whose performances were previously overlooked. Matt Roush is “rooting for Gary Oldman to finally be recognized for bringing ‘Slow Horses'’’ Jackson Lamb to curmudgeonly life.” Trey Mangum insists, “We especially need to be talking about Jacob Anderson’s performance [in ‘Interview With the Vampire’], which only gets better in year two.”
My under-the-radar pick is Ncuti Gatwa, who has infused new energy into the long-running British sci-fi staple “Doctor Who” as the newest Doctor (the Fifteenth, for those keeping count). Also in the conversation are Donald Glover, for his turn as the undercover newlywed spy in the character-driven spy thriller “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” as well as Cosmo Jarvis, as the shipwrecked Englishman experiencing culture shock in “Shōgun.”
1. Fumi Nikaido ("Shōgun")
2. Christine Baranski (“The Gilded Age”)
3. Moeka Hoshi ("Shōgun")
4. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
5. Nicole Beharie (“The Morning Show”)
6. Sarita Choudhury (“Fallout”)
7. Audra McDonald (“The Gilded Age”)
8. Holland Taylor (“The Morning Show”)
9. Lesley Manville (“The Crown”)
10. (tie) Karen Pittman (“The Morning Show”)
10. (tie) Leslie Uggams (“Fallout”)
12. (tie) Greta Lee (“The Morning Show”)
12. (tie) Olivia Williams (“The Crown”)
14. (tie) Kristen Scott Thomas (“Slow Horses”)
14. (tie) Mari Yamamoto ("Monarch: Legacy of Monsters")
16. (tie) Cynthia Nixon (“The Gilded Age”)
16. (tie) Amy Ryan (“Sugar”)
18. Kiersey Clemons (“Monarch: Legacy of Monsters")
The ongoing theme in the drama races is that there will be very little overlap with last year’s nominees because most of those are not eligible this year. “The Crown’s” Elizabeth Debicki, who plays Diana, the doomed people’s princess, in the royal historical drama, is one of the few exceptions.
Besides Debicki, frontrunners include “Shōgun” scene stealers Fumi Nikaido and Moeka Hoshi. Nikaido is captivating as the quietly calculating Lady Ochiba, the mother of the young lord expected to rule Japan once he comes of age, while Hoshi impresses as the mourning young mother-turned-consort Usami Fuji.
A number of the panelists are rallying behind Christine Baranski. After being overlooked for the entirety of “The Good Fight’s” six-season run, Baranski is just as impressive as an old-money socialite in “The Gilded Age.” “I can’t keep my eyes off Christine Baranski,” says Lorraine Ali. Kristen Baldwin is more direct: “Do not make me fight you, Emmy voters!” Baranski’s castmates Audra McDonald and Cynthia Nixon also picked up some votes.
And speaking of grudges against Emmy voters, Glenn Whipp says he still hasn’t forgiven them for overlooking Amy Ryan a couple of years ago. “She’s terrific in ‘Sugar,’ playing a one-time rock singer who can’t hide her tenderness behind a tough exterior,” he says.
The supporting cast of “The Morning Show” also make a strong showing in our BuzzMeter rankings. “Nicole Beharie’s tour de force in Season 3 has not left my mind,” says Trey Mangum. “Her co-star Karen Pittman’s great performance is not mentioned as much but needs to be as well.” Matt Roush says he’s fond of “Holland Taylor raging against ageism and sexism,” and Greta Lee also made the list.
The postapocalyptic “Fallout” also has a pair of actresses in the running. To avoid spoilers, let's just say both Sarita Choudhury's and Leslie Uggams’ characters are both much more than they initially seem.
1. Tadanobu Asano ("Shōgun”)
2. Nathan Lane (“The Gilded Age”)
3. Takehiro Hira ("Shōgun")
4. Moisés Arias (“Fallout”)
5. Benny Safdie (“The Curse”)
6. (tie) Khalid Abdalla (“The Crown”)
6. (tie) Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”)
6. (tie) Jon Hamm (“The Morning Show”)
9. Benedict Wong (“3 Body Problem”)
10. Jonathan Pryce (“The Crown”)
11. Barkhad Abdi (“The Curse”)
12. Jovan Adepo (“3 Body Problem”)
13. Aaron Moten (“Fallout”)
14. Wendell Pierce (“Elsbeth”)
15. (tie) Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses”)
15. (tie) Ke Huy Quan (“Loki”)
17. (tie) Hayden Christiansen (“Ahsoka”)
17. (tie) Richard Schiff (“The Good Doctor”)
17. (tie) Ken Watanabe (“Tokyo Vice”)
The overwhelming front-runner in this early round is Tadanobu Asano, who charms as “Shōgun’s” wily and opportunistic Yabushige. Asano, as Glenn Whipp notes, is “a legit movie star in Japan” and he “brings a boisterous joy, bracing intelligence and rock-star presence to the role.”
Asano’s castmate Takehiro Hira, whose ambitious Lord Ishido is leading the charge against Hiroyuki Sanada’s Lord Toranaga, also has momentum. Perched between the “Shōgun” pair is Nathan Lane, who portrays the snobbish arbiter of who and what are considered elite in the glitzy “The Gilded Age.”
Also with a strong showing is “Fallout’s” Moisés Arias, who portrays the cowardly younger brother turned determined sleuth who lives in an underground bomb shelter in the video game adaptation. Also making the list from the show is Aaron Moten, who portrays an aspiring knight of a paramilitary order.
A pair from “3 Body Problem” also have support from the panelists. “Jovan Adepo is one of the best parts, if not the best part of ‘3 Body Problem,'” says Trey Mangum. Matt Roush shouts out Benedict Wong for “bringing some welcome humanity and humor as the [show’s] beleaguered detective.”
And while feelings may be mixed about “The Curse” overall, the acting was solid. “In addition to Benny Safdie, who was so unsettling as ‘The Curse’s’ creepy-sad reality TV producer, here’s hoping voters also nominate Barkhad Abdi, who was mesmerizingly stoic as a local squatter named Abshir,” says Kristen Baldwin.
Also in the mix are “The Morning Show’s” Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm; the latter has the potential to be a double nominee with his role on “Fargo.” “The Crown’s” Khalid Abdalla and Jonathan Pryce also are among the 19 names that made the panelists’ lists.
1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “Reservation Dogs”
3. “The Bear”
4. “Hacks”
5. “I’m a Virgo”
6. “What We Do in the Shadows”
7. (tie) “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
7. (tie) “Ghosts”
7. (tie) “We Are Lady Parts”
10. (tie) "Diarra From Detroit"
10. (tie) “Gen V”
12. “Palm Royale”
13. “Only Murders in the Building”
14. “Our Flag Means Death”
15. “The Brothers Sun”
16. “The Gentlemen”
Comedy series is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races. Among the frontrunners is the broadcast TV favorite “Abbott Elementary,” which always has a strong showing. The other titan in the race is “The Bear,” which cleaned house at last year’s ceremony even as it was bombarded with questions about its status as a comedy.
“Does the answer even matter? No. I’m fine with another Emmy sweep for ‘The Bear,'” says Glenn Whipp.
Elbowing its way into the conversation is “Reservation Dogs,” the heartfelt coming-of-age series about a group of teens growing up on the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, which has yet to receive any love from Emmy voters. “Its third and final season was a masterpiece so it’s time,” says Lorraine Ali. I agree! Meanwhile, panelist Matt Roush is pushing for “Ghosts” to finally get some attention for its “great ensemble cast and clever humor that used to score before network TV became invisible.”
Among the shows that panelists are urging people to notice are “I’m a Virgo," "Boots Riley’s searing social satire about the evils of capitalism,” says Kristen Baldwin. Trey Mangum is throwing his support behind superhero spinoff “Gen V” and contemporary whodunit “Diarra From Detroit,” which he calls “one of the best comedies on television that fully needs to be on everyone’s watchlist.”
Previous nominees that also made the list include “Hacks,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm" and “Only Murders in the Building.”
1. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
2. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. (tie) Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”)
3. (tie) Jean Smart (“Hacks”)
5. (tie) Natasia Demetriou (“What We Do in the Shadows”)
5. (tie) Diarra Kilpatrick (“Diarra From Detroit”)
5. (tie) Kristen Wiig (“Palm Royale”)
8. (tie) Maya Rudolph (“Loot”)
8. (tie) Jaz Sinclair (“Gen V”)
10. Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”)
11. (tie) Kaley Cuoco (“Based on a True Story”)
11. (tie) Renée Elise Goldsberry (“Girls5eva”)
11. (tie) Michelle Yeoh (“The Brothers Sun”)
Lead actress in a comedy series is another competitive category, with just two points of separation between the top four frontrunners. Last year’s supporting actress winner, Ayo Edebiri, who plays ambitious young chef Sydney in “The Bear,” has been promoted to lead for this second campaign and in this early round holds the slimmest of leads.
The field also includes last year’s category winner, Quinta Brunson, the multihyphenate “Abbott Elementary” star, as well as Jean Smart of “Hacks,” who won back-to-back before the show’s health- and strike-related hiatus. Back as legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, Smart “remains divine — funny, real and raw in conveying vulnerability and intelligence,” says Glenn Whipp.
A number of panelists plead for the TV academy to finally recognize Devery Jacobs for her portrayal of Elora Danan, the moral and emotional center of the close-knit teens at the center of “Reservation Dogs.” “This WILL be the year that ‘Reservation Dogs’ gets its shamefully overdue recognition from Emmy voters,” says Kristen Baldwin.
Trey Mangum makes the case for Diarra Kilpatrick, who “wears multiple hats on ‘Diarra From Detroit’ and knocks all of them out of the park, not only anchoring the creative behind the show but fronting it as the lead actress as well.” And Lorraine Ali insists that a nomination for “Palm Royale’s” Kristen Wiig should be a “no-brainer” for her “irresistible and hilarious [performance] as the desperate Southern beauty queen who’ll do anything to become part of the elite set in a Palm Beach country club.”
Also on the the list are “Only Murder in the Building’s” Selena Gomez, “Loot’s” Maya Rudolph and Natasia Demetriou of “What We Do in the Shadows.”
1. Jharrel Jerome (“I’m a Virgo”)
2. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
3. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (“Reservation Dogs”)
4. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)
5. Steve Martin (“Only Murders in the Building”)
6. (tie) Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
6. (tie) Theo James (“The Gentlemen”)
8. (tie) Matt Berry (“What We Do in the Shadows”)
8. (tie) Kayvan Novak (“What We Do in the Shadows”)
10. (tie) Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts”)
10. (tie) Drew Tarver (“The Other Two”)
Just two of last year’s nominees are eligible this year: Jeremy Allen White, who won for his portrayal of Carmy, a classically trained chef who took over his late brother’s sandwich shop before deciding to transform it into the restaurant of their dreams in “The Bear,” and “Only Murders in the Building’s” Martin Short, who plays the self-obsessed, over-the-top director Oliver Putnam.
Among those the panelists think should join them in this year’s race is Short’s “Murders” counterpart Steve Martin, who was nominated for his work in the show’s first season. Glenn Whipp says nominating just one half of the power couple is an “omission [that] can’t happen again.” Matt Roush agrees, saying, “Watching a panicked Steve Martin try to master a tongue-twisting musical theater song was a comedy highlight of the year.”
Trey Mangum is among the panelists heaping praise on Jharrel Jerome — a past winner for “When They See Us” — for his portrayal of a very tall, sheltered teen in “I’m a Virgo.” “If we’re talking about sheer performance, this one should be his,” says Mangum. Kristen Baldwin also expects Jerome to “earn another nod here for his hilariously earnest performance.”
Among the actors Lorraine Ali is advocating for is “D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai for his authenticity and depth as Bear in ‘Reservation Dogs.’” “What We Do in the Shadows” duo Matt Berry and Kayvan Novak also got some shoutouts.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” Larry David and “The Gentlemen’s” Theo James also are among those who made the panelists’ list.
1. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”)
4. Lisa Ann Walter (“Abbott Elementary”)
5. (tie) Paulina Alexis ("Reservation Dogs")
5. (tie) Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Building”)
7. (tie) Abby Elliott (“The Bear”)
7. (tie) Allison Janney (“Palm Royale”)
9. (tie) Carol Burnett (“Palm Royale”)
9. (tie) Claudia Logan ("Diarra From Detroit")
11. (tie) Liza Colón-Zayas (“The Bear”)
11. (tie) Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (“Loot”)
13. Susie Essman (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
14. Paula Pell (“Girls5eva”)
15. Kaya Scodelario ("The Gentlemen")
16. Ego Nwodim (“Saturday Night Live”)
With previous winner Ayo Edebiri getting promoted to lead, “Abbott Elementary” duo Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James are the only remaining contenders from last year’s batch of nominees. Ralph won in 2022 for her portrayal of the faithful veteran kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard. James is a fan favorite for her portrayal of outrageous principal Ava Coleman.
The panelists expect “Abbott” castmate Lisa Ann Walters also will get recognized this year. “Any ranking of these talented women is silly,” says Glenn Whipp. “They’re all superb in the series and deserving of the love sure to come their way.”
Kristen Baldwin is among the panelists hoping to “manifest a nomination for "Reservation Dogs’" Paulina Alexis, "who was so endearingly eccentric as Willie Jack.” Matt Roush is pushing for "Only Murders in the Building’s" "sublime Meryl Streep” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” Susie Essman, while Trey Mangum would “love to see” Michaela Jaé Rodriguez in contention for her work on “Loot.”
A pair from “Palm Royale” get the support of Lorraine Ali. “With just one eye roll or grunt, [Carol Burnett’s] comedic genius is apparent,” says Ali, adding, “Allison Janney’s love affair with a beached whale in the series also deserves some Emmy love.”
With the return of “Hacks,” panelists expect Hannah Einbinder will be among the nominees again. “This could be the year she actually takes it,” says Mangum.
“The Bear’s” Abby Elliott and Liza Colón-Zayas, as well as “Diarra From Detroit’s” Claudia Logan, also are among the 16 names that made the panelists’ list.
1. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
3. Lionel Boyce (“The Bear”)
4. Lane Factor ("Reservation Dogs")
5. Chris Perfetti (“Abbott Elementary”)
6. Walton Goggins (“I’m a Virgo”)
7. Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows”)
8. Oliver Platt (“The Bear”)
9. Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”)
10. Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”)
11. Chance Perdomo (“Gen V”)
12. Paul Rudd (“Only Murders in the Building”)
13. Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
14. (tie) Carl Clemons-Hopkins (“Hacks”)
14. (tie) Daniel Ings (“The Gentlemen”)
14. (tie) Matty Matheson (“The Bear”)
17. (tie) William Stanford Davis (“Abbott Elementary”)
17. (tie) Paul W. Downs (“Hacks”)
19. Joel Kim Booster (“Loot”)
With the conclusion of shows like “Ted Lasso” and “Barry,” this is another race where only two nominees from last year are eligible this year: “Abbott Elementary’s” Tyler James Williams, who has been nominated twice for his portrayal of substitute-turned-full-time first grade teacher Gregory Eddie, and “The Bear’s” Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who won last year for his portrayal of the abrasive but faithful Richie.
“Moss-Bachrach invests so much of himself into this flawed, loyal, loving character,” says Glenn Whipp. Matt Roush asks, “Can anything stop a second sweep of ‘The Bear’?”
Trey Mangum is pushing for Moss-Bachrach’s “The Bear” castmate Lionel Boyce as well as “Gen V’s” “secret weapon,” Chance Perdomo, to get noticed. Kristen Baldwin shouts out “Joel Kim Booster as Maya Rudolph’s narcissistic bestie in ‘Loot’; Chris Perfetti as 'Abbott Elementary’s' endearingly anxious Jacob; and Marcello Hernandez, whose manic charm makes him ‘SNL’s’ most valuable featured player.”
Lane Factor of “Reservation Dogs” also has the support of panelists. Lorraine Ali says, “As Cheese, [Factor] embodied the hopes and aspirations of the teens we followed from high school to the brink of adulthood, anchoring the crew with empathy, humor and depth.”
Also deserving of notice, says Roush, are “What We Do in the Shadows’” Harvey Guillén, “Only Murders in the Building’s” Paul Rudd and “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” Richard Lewis. “I’m a Virgo’s” Walton Goggins also gets a mention here, meaning he could potentially be a double nominee this year.
Also among the 19 actors the panelists touted are “The Bear’s” Oliver Platt and Matty Matheson, “Abbott Elementary’s” William Stanford Davis, “SNL’s” Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson and “Hacks’“ Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Paul W. Downs.
1. “True Detective: Night Country”
2. “Fellow Travelers”
3. “Ripley”
4. “Fargo”
5. “Baby Reindeer”
6. (tie) "Echo"
6. (tie) “Lessons in Chemistry”
8. (tie) “Expats”
8. (tie) “Genius: MLK/X”
10. (tie) “A Murder at the End of the World”
10. (tie) “The Sympathizer”
12. (tie) “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”
12. (tie) “Masters of the Air”
14. “Mary & George”
The great “Shōgun” switcheroo also rocked the limited-series race, but with only five possible nominees, the field remains competitive with 14 shows getting mentions from the panelists.
Showrunner Issá Lopez's Alaska-set “True Detective: Night Country,” starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, has been hailed as one of the anthology series’ best seasons (sorry, Nic Pizzolatto) and is among the frontrunners. The latest installment of “Fargo” has been similarly praised as a “comeback season.” “Fargo” previously won this category in 2014 for its first season (its second and third seasons also earned nods), while the first season of “True Detective” was nominated as a drama series the same year.
Multiple panelists also rallied behind a pair of literary adaptations. One is “Ripley,” based on the 1955 Patricia Highsmith novel, starring Andrew Scott as the eponymous sociopath who takes over the life of a trust-fund kid. Glenn Whipp says the “riveting” show is “gorgeous to behold and a marvel in its plotting.”
The other is “Fellow Travelers,” based on Thomas Mallon’s 2007 novel about two men who meet at the height of the McCarthy era and their secret, decades-long romance. The series “deserves to break through for its fascinating window into America’s troubled and closeted past,” says Matt Roush.
Trey Mangum notes that the buzzy and unsettling “Baby Reindeer,” based on creator Richard Gadd's one-man autobiographical show, “has been racking up the attention for some time now,” which could translate to some love from Emmy voters. Kristen Baldwin thinks the “star-studded ‘Feud: Capote vs. the Swans’ could … squeak in.”
1. “Red, White and Royal Blue”
2. “Scoop”
3. “Quiz Lady”
4. “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie”
5. “No One Will Save You”
6. “Shooting Stars”
7. “Música”
8. “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”
9. “Good Burger 2”
Can Mr. Monk solve the mystery of what killed the television movie? Never mind, the TV movie category is still kicking and may outlive us all.
Sidestepping the question of what a television movie even is, the frontrunners according to the panelists include “Red, White and Royal Blue,” a frothy gay rom-com involving the son of a U.S. president and a British prince, and “Quiz Lady,” a road-trip buddy comedy about a pair of estranged sisters.
But, says Trey Mangum, “‘Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie’ should absolutely be seen as a title that could come through and take it.” Matt Roush, meanwhile, says the TV movie that stuck with him is the “harrowing ‘No One Will Save You’ with its masterful use of silence.” And Lorraine Ali is “pulling for ‘Shooting Stars,’ a basketball superhero origin story based on the book by LeBron James and author Buzz Bissinger.”
Among the titles that also made the panelists’ list: “Scoop,” which tells the story behind how Prince Andrew's interview about his associations with Jeffrey Epstein came together; the musical coming-of-age rom-com “Música"; and the wacky comedy sketch-based sequel “Good Burger 2.”
(And for the record, according to the Television Academy’s rules, “A television movie is defined as an original program, which tells a story with a beginning, middle and end, and is broadcast/streamed in one part with a minimum running time of 75 minutes.”)
1. Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”)
2. Juno Temple (“Fargo”)
3. Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”)
4. Naomi Watts (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”)
5. Annie Murphy (“Black Mirror”)
6. (tie) Emma Corrin (“A Murder at the End of the World”)
6. (tie) Sofia Vergara (“Griselda”)
8. (tie) Alaqua Cox (“Echo”)
8. (tie) Nicole Kidman (“Expats”)
8. (tie) Julianne Moore (“Mary & George”)
11. Ji-young Yoo (“Expats”)
12. (tie) Carla Gugino (“Fall of the House of Usher”)
12. (tie) Kate Winslet (“The Regime”)
Academy Award winners and nominees account for about half of those who made the panel's cut for lead actress in a limited series or movie. Although there is not much consensus among the panelists, the current frontrunner is Jodie Foster, who portrays the grizzled police chief investigating the disappearance of a group of scientists in “True Detective: Night Country.”
Also ahead of the pack is Juno Temple, who was nominated for three acting Emmys over the course of “Ted Lasso’s” run. In “Fargo,” Temple plays a Midwestern housewife with a secret past, and “she’s never been better,” says Glenn Whipp.
No matter your feelings on “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” “Naomi Watts was fantastic,” says Lorraine Ali. Watts portrayed Babe Paley, a socialite who had been friends with Truman Capote. Trey Mangum, on the other hand, says he’s “ still completely obsessed with Annie Murphy, the shining light of the most recent season of ‘Black Mirror.’”
While Matt Roush thinks “The Regime” “fumbled” its attempt at satire, he does commend Kate Winslet for being fully committed “to her ridiculous and flamboyant character,” a chancellor of a crumbling authoritarian regime. Kristen Baldwin pushes for “Fall of the House of Usher’s” Carla Gugino to be recognized for being “so elegantly eerie as the malevolent spirit Verna.”
Brie Larson, who portrays a scientist turned cooking show host on “Lessons in Chemistry,” and Emma Corrin, who plays an amateur detective in “A Murder at the End of the World,” also are among those who made the list.
1. Matt Bomer (“Fellow Travelers”)
2. Andrew Scott (“Ripley”)
3. Tom Hollander (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”)
4. (tie) Jon Hamm (“Fargo”)
4. (tie) Kelvin Harrison Jr. ("Genius: MLK/X")
4. (tie) Ewan McGregor (“A Gentleman in Moscow”)
7. Aaron Pierre ("Genius: MLK/X")
8. (tie) Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”)
8. (tie) Hoa Xuande (“The Sympathizer”)
10. Luke James ("Them: The Scare")
11. Tony Shalhoub (“Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie”)
12. (tie) Austin Butler (“Masters of the Air”)
12. (tie) David Oyelowo (“Lawmen: Bass Reeves”)
There was not one consensus pick among the contenders for lead actor in a limited series or movie, but Matt Bomer came the closest, with a number of panelists noting that his portrayal of a closeted bureaucrat in “Fellow Travelers” is a career high. A past Emmy nominee, Bomer already was nominated for a SAG Award for this performance.
Among those whom Matt Roush shouts out is Tom Hollander for his “convincing impersonation of the self-destructive Truman Capote” in “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.” Glenn Whipp also commends him for “capturing the writer’s tragic flaws and winning charm.”
Trey Mangum advocates for “the dynamic duo” of Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre, who he says “are outstanding as their respective historical figures in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’” Kristen Baldwin, meanwhile, notes that it’s inevitable that Tony Shalhoub will get a nomination for reprising the title obsessive-compulsive sleuth in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.”
Jon Hamm, who plays “Fargo’s” creepy, villainous sheriff, also was praised by a number of panelists. “He’s wonderfully terrifying,” says Lorraine Ali. But speaking of wonderfully terrifying, Ali also notes that “Ripley’s” Andrew Scott “is the one to beat.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
