Two past Emmy winners may well be at the head of the pack for their historical impersonations: Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug and Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm. Past nominee Rose Byrne as Gloria Steinem and past winner Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan also feel likely to win votes. Though her role isn’t as prominent as theirs, Sarah Paulson, who plays a composite character based on a few real people, is a seven-time nominee, with four bids in this category alone, so she shouldn’t be underestimated. I’d personally love to see Elizabeth Banks and Ari Graynor honored for their portrayals of Jill Ruckelshaus and Brenda Feigen-Fasteau, respectively, but will Emmy voters make space for them too? Kayli Carter, a Spirit Award nominee for her role in Netflix’s Private Life a few years ago, would also be a fantastic choice -- the possibilities are endless from a single series --  but to imagine anyone getting all the way to her after scrolling through so many big names as options is difficult.

There are three actresses who feel like formidable competition to Team Mrs America: Toni Collette (Unbelievable) as a no-nonsense detective investigating a series of rapes, Jean Smart (Watchmen) as an FBI agent with a complicated past, and Allison Janney (Bad Education) as a corrupt school administrator. All three have Emmy trophies already and their strong performances won't hurt either. And despite heavy competition you can't count out other past winners like Emma Thompson (Years and Years) and Cherry Jones (Defending Jacob) either.

Two other programs boast a few contenders who might break through if any of them can stand out from the rest. I Know This Much Is True has Melissa Leo, Archie Panjabi, Kathryn Hahn, and Rosie O’Donnell (they've all been nominated before). Hollywood is expected to dominate the supporting actor field, so don’t be surprised if a supporting actress coasts in, too. But will it be Laura Harrier, Samara Weaving, Patti LuPone or Holland Taylor?

I wish there was room for a slate of young performers, including the talent from Little Fires Everywhere, especially Lexi Underwood (Pearl), Jade Pettyjohn (Lexie), and Megan Stott (Izzy). It may actually be likelier that the two actresses who portray the younger versions of the characters played by Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, AnnaSophia Robb and Tiffany Boone, find their way in. I’d personally be ecstatic if Eve Lindley (Dispatches from Elsewhere) was honored for her terrific work.