We’re looking at another Emmy Awards category today – Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. All but two of last year’s nominees are eligible again.
The remaining nominees – defending champion Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), Laura Linney (Ozark), Mandy Moore (This Is Us), and Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) – will have to fight hard for their slots due to a major influx of contenders from shows that are once again in the running this year or in the running for the first time.
The past four years have gone like so...
Of the four series that took last season off and are now vying for a repeat Best Drama Series bid, the only one without a previously-nominated female lead is Stranger Things. If Winona Ryder wasn’t nominated for seasons one or two, a mention for season three, which debuted last summer, is extremely unlikely. There’s little question that two-time nominee Claire Foy will have her on-screen role grab another slot in this category for her replacement Olivia Colman (The Crown). Even more this year than ever before, Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) is a strong contender due to her increased prominence and character makeover. And past winner Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) will almost definitely be back, even if her show somehow misses the top race.
Both Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) and Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies) were nominated in 2016-2017 in the limited series or TV movie race. They’re both eligible here for the show’s second season in the regular series category. Kidman is a good bet, while Witherspoon is likelier to contend for her work on The Morning Show or in the limited series race for Little Fires Everywhere.
Newbies
Speaking of The Morning Show, an expected nominee here is past Emmy winner Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), who pulled off a surprise SAG victory over Colman and the rest of the field for her turn as a talk show host right at the center of a #metoo scandal. Barring a real shock, she’ll be in. Season two of Homecoming was just announced for a May 22 debut, and it’s possible that voters will like Janelle Monae’s lead turn more than Julia Roberts, who was snubbed along with the rest of the first season despite a strong Golden Globes showing last season. Zendaya (Euphoria) scored a bid from the Critics Choice Association and could crack this crowded field. In a surprise move earlier this week, Kirsten Dunst (On Becoming a God in Central Florida) saw her show switched to the drama race despite earning comedy nominations at the Globes and from the Critics Choice Association, which probably diminishes her chances since that race is much more open.
Newcomers aren’t the only threats in this category. The Critics Choice Association cited three performers from returning series who have yet to attract Emmy love. Christine Baranski (The Good Fight) earned her second nomination for a role that previously netted her six Emmy bids. Sarah Snook (Succession) and MJ Rodriguez (Pose) were also up for the second seasons of their shows. It’s also worth noting that both Homeland and Empire are ending this season. Danes received five consecutive nominations for her show, winning twice. Henson earned two bids. Both were last nominated in 2016.
So where does that leave us?
Out of last year’s seven Emmy nominees, exactly one – winner Jodie Comer – was nominated for any (and all, in her case) of the three major precursors (Globes, SAG, and Critics Choice). That means a lot of change is likely this year. Colman is a lock no matter what, and I have a hard time imagining Aniston being left off. While I know that Comer replaced Oh with every group that cited only Oh before, Emmy voters did honor Oh for the show’s second season, which makes me think they’ll both return this year. I also believe Wood will be back, as will Moss, which brings us to six nominees. It’s probably not smart, but to me that suggests that Linney finds herself snubbed, though it’s much likelier that this field gets expanded again to include more than six talented women. That also leaves off Kidman, Witherspoon x2, and Moore, any of whom could easily bump someone else.
Predictions:
- Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
- Olivia Colman (The Crown)
- Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
- Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)
- Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)
- Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)
Which actresses do you think will make the cut this year in this very tight race? Stay tuned for more Emmy coverage!
ALL DISCUSSIONS THUS FAR