Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each individual category, according to the awards show from THE EMMYS HUBLink to film awards hub THE OSCARS HUB
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2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE
UPDATED: May 24, 2021
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: This category is flushed with the depth of Hollywood’s most gifted actresses being challenged by the industry’s future. Emmy winners Nicole Kidman (“The Undoing”) and Kate Winslet (“Mare of Easttown”) will have the support of HBO. In the case of the latter, her limited series is gearing up for its finale, just ahead of voting and could be this year’s “The Night Of,” and could make Winslet a dark horse for her second Emmy.
It won’t be easy with Critics Choice, Golden Globe and SAG winner Anya Taylor-Joy steamrolling thus far for “The Queen’s Gambit,” along with the added reminder of a killer performance on the finale of “Saturday Night Live.” She’ll also face competition from Thuso Mbedu (“The Underground Railroad”), who is the discovery of the year for her powerful performance as Cora. Echoing the entrance of Lupita Nyong’o (who won an Oscar for “12 Years a Slave”) not just in subject matter, but the way she’s captured the attention and reverence of critics. She could be an unstoppable force as the series picks up momentum.
There will be fan favorites hoping for recognition, such as Michaela Coel (sensational in “I May Destroy You”) and Elizabeth Olsen (a tour-de-force in “WandaVision”). There could be room for a surprise or two to break into the conversation, such as Kate Mara (“A Teacher”), Tessa Thompson (“Sylvie’s Love”) or Lydia West (“It’s a Sin”).
The eligibility period ends on May 31 before nomination-round voting begins on June 17, concluding on June 28. The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 13, 2021.
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
Thuso Mbedu"The Underground Railroad" (Amazon Prime)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Cora
–CREATOR: Barry JenkinsSYNOPSIS: A young woman named Cora makes an amazing discovery during her attempt to break free from slavery in the deep south.STARRING: Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Aaron Pierre, Joel Edgerton, Justice Leak, Damon Herriman, William Jackson Harper, Amber Gray, Jim Klock, Lily Rabe, Lucius Baston, Fred Hechinger, Owen Harn, Bri Collins, Will Poulter, Peter Mullan, Sheila Atim, Peter De Jersey, Chikwudi Iwuji, Irone Singleton, Mychai-Bella Bowman, Marcus "MJ" Gladney Jr, Benjamin Walker
Anya Taylor-Joy"The Queen's Gambit" (Netflix)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominated.ROLE: Beth Harmon
–CREATOR: Scott Frank, Allan ScottSYNOPSIS: Orphaned at the tender age of nine, prodigious introvert Beth Harmon discovers and masters the game of chess in 1960s USA. But child stardom comes at a price.STARRING: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Isla Johnston, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Patrick Kennedy, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Marcin Dorociński
Michaela Coel"I May Destroy You" (HBO)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Arabella
–CREATOR: Michaela CoelSYNOPSIS: The question of sexual consent in contemporary life and how, in the new landscape of dating and relationships, we make the distinction between liberation and exploitation.STARRING: Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, Paapa Essiedu, Marouane Zotti, Stephen Wright, Adam James, Natalie Walter, Aml Ameen, Lara Rossi, Ann Akin, Chin Nyenwe, Lewis Reeves, Sarah Niles, Mariah Gale, Rebecca Calder, Andi Osho
Kate Winslet"Mare of Easttown" (HBO)
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EMMY HISTORY: Two nominations, one win (lead actress miniseries or movie for "Mildred Pierce" in 2011)ROLE: Detective Mare Sheehan
–CREATOR: Brad IngelsbySYNOPSIS: A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.STARRING: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson. Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, David Denman, Neal Huff, Guy Pearce, Cailee Spaeny, John Douglas Thompson, Joe Tippett, Evan Peters, Sosie Bacon, James McArdle
Elizabeth Olsen"WandaVision" (Disney Plus)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Wanda Maximoff
–CREATOR: Kevin FeigeSYNOPSIS: Blends the style of classic sitcoms with the MCU, in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision - two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives - begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.STARRING: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Debra Jo Rupp, Fred Melamed, Kathryn Hahn, Teyonah Parris, Randall Park, Kat Dennings, Evan Peters
The Undoing.Nicole Kidman.Episode 2.cr: Niko Tavernise/HBO
Courtesy of Niko Tavernise/HBO
NEXT IN LINE CONTENDERS:
Nicole Kidman"The Undoing" (HBO)
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EMMY HISTORY: Three nominations, two wins (lead actress limited series and outstanding limited series for "Big Little Lies" in 2017).ROLE: Grace Fraser
–CREATOR: David E. KelleySYNOPSIS: A modern twist to a classical "whodunnit" tale, when the life of a wealthy New York therapist turns upside down after she and her family get involved with a murder case.STARRING: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Édgar Ramírez, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe, Matilda De Angelis, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Edan Alexander, Michael Devine, Donald Sutherland
Cynthia Erivo"Genius: Aretha" (National Geographic)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Aretha Franklin
–CREATOR: Suzi-Lori ParksSYNOPSIS: The life stories of history's greatest minds. From their days as young adults to their final years we see their discoveries, loves, relationships, causes, flaws and genius.STARRING: Cynthia Erivo, Malcolm Barrett, Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones, David Cross, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Shaian Jordan, Courtney B. Vance
Tessa Thompson"Sylvie's Love" (Amazon Prime Video)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Sylvie Parker
–DIRECTOR: Eugene AsheSYNOPSIS: When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father's record shop in 1950s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography, and professional success.STARRING: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Regé-Jean Page, Aja Naomi King, Eva Longoria
Kate Mara"A Teacher" (FX on Hulu)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Claire Wilson
–CREATOR: Hannah Fidell
SYNOPSIS: "A Teacher" explores the complexities and consequences of a predatory relationship between Claire Wilson, a young teacher at a suburban Texas high school and her student, Eric Walker.
STARRING: Kate Mara, Nick Robinson, Ashley Zukerman, Rya Kihlstedt
Danielle Brooks"Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia" (Lifetime)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Mahalia Jackson
–DIRECTOR: Kenny LeonSYNOPSIS: The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement.STARRING: Danielle Brooks, Wolsey Brooks, Rob Demery
Unpregnant
Courtesy of HBO Max
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS (UNRANKED):
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television’s most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
For wins: Helen Mirren has the most wins in this category with four – “Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness” (1995), “The Passion of Ayn Rand” (1999), “Elizabeth I” (2005) and “Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (2006). Patty Duke and Laura Linney each have the second most with three.
For nominations: Helen Mirren is the most nominated actress in this category with 10. Judy Davis and Jessica Lange are second with seven each.
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, is given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards recognize excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes – Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements) and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 73rd Emmy Awards are scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 pm est on CBS and on-demand on sister streamer Paramount Plus.