The Film Experience

Will "Unbelievable" score big with nominations... or will its early release in the eligibility period be a problem?

This year’s Best Actress lineup for limited series and TV movies is populated with a LOT of deserving contenders. This category is no stranger to double nominees from the same project, with four instances occurring in just the past four years. In 2017, there were two sets of nominated actresses from the same shows, and it’s pretty likely that’s going to happen again this time…

The past four years...

There are two undisputed frontrunners this year, and it’s not clear who’s ahead at the moment. Regina King (Watchmen) may have won an Oscar recently, but she’s better known as an Emmy favorite, winning three times out of four consecutive nominations. Even if her genre-heavy series doesn’t go over well with voters, she’s in for sure.

It’s hard to believe that this would mark the first Emmy nomination for two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Mrs. America), but that’s simply because she usually makes movies. Her turn as conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly is guaranteed to earn her a place here.

Next up are the two series with twin contenders. Merritt Wever (Unbelievable) is already a two-time Emmy winner, and she’ll get a boost from her concurrent role on Run, which wraps this weekend. Her costar Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable) is much younger (23), but this category cited Joey King, who is even younger than her (20), last year, and Dever managed to score mentions from the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Award. Her portrayal of a sexual assault survivor is indeed excellent, and she’ll probably be rewarded for it. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere) are both recent nominees in this category, and their investment in the creation of their project should amplify their chances. It’s also worth noting that Washington is also eligible for American Son, a likely nominee for Best TV Movie. Witherspoon could also contend for her leading roles in two different drama series, the second season of Big Little Lies and The Morning Show.

Other Possibilities?

Shira Haas definitely deserves a nomination for "Unorthodox"

If there’s room for anyone beyond these six, I and readers of this site would be thrilled to see Israeli actress Shira Haas (Unorthodox) contend for her astounding turn as a young woman fleeing her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Another possibility is Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America), who would probably be a frontrunner in a weaker year. Helen Mirren (Catherine the Great), who earned a Globe nomination for this performance, should never be counted out, mostly because she’s won four prizes in this category alone, and the same is true for Octavia Spencer (Self Made), who has become a regular player at the Oscars this past decade and is obviously an awards favorite.

There are a few past nominees reprising their roles who should be mentioned even if their chances aren’t great. Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend) and Judith Light (Transparent Musicale Finale) are two such examples who could benefit if voters feeling nostalgic. Michelle Dockery (Defending Jacob) and Kathryn Hahn (Mrs. Fletcher) have also done great work, but these projects don’t seem to be as popular as the ones that earned them their previous nominations. Readers of this site would also surely be excited to see Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) break through.

So, where does this leave us? Six frontrunners and possibly no surprises, though it would be a shame to see Haas left off the list.

Predictions

Cate Blanchett, Mrs America
Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable
Regina King, Watchmen
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
Merrit Wever, Unbelievable
Reese Witherspoon, Little Fires Everywhere

Which actresses are you rooting for in this category?
Stay tuned for more Emmy coverage.

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