I'm taking a look each week at some of the major categories for the Emmy Awards. Here's a look at the races for Lead Actor & Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or TV Movie!
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR TV MOVIE
Riz Ahmed, Bait (Prime Video)
Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit (Netflix)
Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)
Oscar Isaac, Beef (Netflix)
Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me (Netflix)
I think everyone can agree that this is not a super strong category. That's true for all the Limited categories this year, but it feels especially true here. It's interesting to see what a wasteland this category has become after it was packed with huge names in the early 2020s. Ultimately though, this feels like a two person race though I don't think anyone is completely out of it. Right now, I am giving the edge to Matthew Rhys and it's more because of Widow's Bay than The Beast in Me. We know Emmy voters don't always assess based on what they should assess performances on and in a weak category, Rhys' work in a much more successful show could propel him to a win here. Despite the great showing in nominations from Beef, I'm feeling mixed on its win chances in several categories including this one but Oscar Isaac is certainly a strong contender and could definitely win if voters are only think of The Beast in Me for Rhys. Jason Bateman has been a surprise Emmy winner before so a win here would not be completely surprising but I don't think Black Rabbit is strong enough. Charlie Hunnam definitely feels more like a middle of the pack nominee than someone who can truly win. And Riz Ahmed was a surprise nominee here so you always have to keep an eye out for that momentum but I don't think it'll happen.
Will Win: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
Power Ranking the Rest by Chance of a Win:
2. Isaac 3. Bateman 4. Hunnam 5. Ahmed
Should Win: Oscar Isaac, Beef
Should Have Been Nominated: Jamie Bell, Half Man
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes, The Beast in Me (Netflix)
Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix)
Carey Mulligan, Beef (Netflix)
Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette (FX)
Sarah Snook, All Her Fault (Peacock)
This is a stronger category than Actor and it's a tough, tough one to predict. As I mentioned before, I am just a bit bearish on the win chances in several categories for Beef so even though many are predicting Carey Mulligan, I have her in second at the moment. I may change my mind before September, especially after seeing how the Beef supporting players do at the Creative Arts Emmys. But right now, I'm predicting the deserving Sarah Pidgeon takes home the trophy for her buzzy role on Love Story. It definitely feels like the performance people talked about the most. Sarah Snook managed to break the Peacock curse to get nominated so she has a chance to win and is a previous winner. I don't see it actually happening though. Sally Field is beloved and the first actress to get nominated for a TV Movie in ages. There could be momentum to give an icon a win here but I don't think she's stronger than soem of the others. And while I picked Rhys to win on the strength of Widow's Bay, I don't see success for The Beast in Me extending to Danes because ultimately the reception to that show was pretty mixed.
Will Win: Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette (FX)
Power Ranking the Rest by Chance of a Win:
2. Mulligan 3. Snook 4. Field 5. Danes
Should Win: Pidgeon
Should Have Been Nominated: Robin Wright, The Girlfriend
