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
DRAFT>>>PRE-SEASON>>>REGULAR SEASON>>>POST SEASON
2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES
UPDATED: May 28, 2021
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: As the young Homer, Chase W. Dillon, 11 (9-years-old during filming), makes a profound impression in Barry Jenkins’ captivating adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel, “The Underground Railroad.” If nominated, he’ll join a very short list of young actors who have received Emmy recognition and also become the youngest male acting nominee in Emmy history, beating Fred Savage, who was nominated for “The Wonder Years” at age 13, and the second youngest overall behind Keshia Knight Pulliam, who was 6-years-old when she was nominated for “The Cosby Show.” Dillon will face stiff competition from his co-star William Jackson Harper for one of the six spots, though. Harper’s talents, which were recognized last year in the supporting comedy actor race for NBC’s “The Good Place,” could be one of the few year-over-year noms across all acting categories.
There are also the veterans in play like Brendan Gleeson (“The Comey Rule”) and the SAG nominated Bill Camp (“The Queen’s Gambit”) eyeing his first career win.
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.
Atsushi Nishijima/Amazon Studios
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
Bill Camp"The Queen's Gambit" (Netflix)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Mr. Shaibel
–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
John Boyega"Small Axe" (Amazon Prime Video)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Leroy Logan
–CREATOR: Steve McQueenSYNOPSIS: "Small Axe" is based on the real-life experiences of London's West Indian community and is set between 1969 and 1982.STARRING: Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, Jack Lowden, Micheal Ward
Chase W. Dillon"The Underground Railroad" (Amazon Prime Video)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Homer
–CREATOR: Barry Jenkins
SYNOPSIS: 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
Daveed Diggs"Hamilton" (Disney Plus)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson
–CREATOR: Lin-Manuel Miranda (book), Thomas Kail (director)
SYNOPSIS: The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.
STARRING: Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, Phillipa Soo
Donald Sutherland"The Undoing" (HBO)
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EMMY HISTORY: Two nominations, one win (supporting limited series/TV movie actor for "Citizen X" in 1995)ROLE: Franklin Reinhardt
–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
William Jackson Harper"The Underground Railroad" (Amazon Prime Video)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Royal
–CREATOR: Barry Jenkins
SYNOPSIS: 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
NEXT IN LINE CONTENDERS:
Brendan Gleeson"The Comey Rule" (Showtime)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nomination, one win (lead limited series/TV movie actor for "Into the Storm" in 2009)ROLE: Donald Trump
–CREATOR: Billy Ray
SYNOPSIS: Jeff Daniels and Brendan Gleeson star as former FBI Dir. James Comey and President Donald J. Trump in this limited series of the story of two powerful men, whose strikingly different ethics and loyalties put them on a collision course.
STARRING: Jeff Daniels, Holly Hunter, Michael Kelly, Jennifer Ehle, Scoot McNairy, Jonathan Banks, Oona Chaplin, Amy Seimetz, Steven Pasquale, Brendan Gleeson
Courtney B. Vance"Genius: Aretha" (National Geographic)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nomination, one win (lead limited series/TV movie actor for "The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story" in 2016)ROLE: Johnnie Cochran
–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
Shaun Parkes"Small Axe" (Amazon Prime Video)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Frank Crichlow
–CREATOR: Steve McQueenSYNOPSIS: "Small Axe" is based on the real-life experiences of London's West Indian community and is set between 1969 and 1982.STARRING: Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, Jack Lowden, Micheal Ward
Glynn Turman"Fargo" (FX)
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EMMY HISTORY: Two nominations, one win (guest drama actor for "In Treatment" in 2008)ROLE: Doctor Senator
–CREATOR: Noah Hawley
SYNOPSIS: Various chronicles of deception, intrigue and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. Yet all of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, North Dakota.
STARRING: Chris Rock, Jessie Buckley, Jason Schwartzman, Ben Whishaw, Jack Huston, Salvatore Esposito, E'myri Crutchfield, Andrew Bird, Anji White, Jeremie Harris, Matthew Elam, Corey Hendrix, James Vincent Meredith, Francesco Acquaroli
Evan Peters in “Mare of Easttown” (HBO)
Michele K. Short/HBO
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS (UNRANKED):
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Supporting Actor in a Limited Series)
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: The rules for this category has changed many times over the years, but as it stands, Beau Bridges is the only actor ever to win this race more than once – “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom” (1993) and “The Second Civil War” (1997).
For nominations: The late Brian Dennehy is the most nominated actor in this category with four nods, followed by Beau Bridges, John Gielgud, John Malkovich, Joe Mantegna and Michael K. Williams with three apiece.
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.