The Emmys are this Sunday! So, we made our predictions in every category.
Drama Series
Will Win: Stranger Things
Could Win: The Handmaid's Tale
Dark Horse: The Crown
If you asked me who was going to win earlier this year, I would have said that The Crown was a lock. However, its buzz has waned since then and The Handmaid's Tale picked up steam. But I feel an upset brewing in this category. That's because Stranger Things did well at the Creative Arts ceremony — they won five awards. Most importantly, it took the crucial Picture Editing award, which has predicted the last 5 winners of Best Drama Series.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win: Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Could Win: Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Dark Horse: Anthony Hopkins, Westworld
Brown should win this easily barring a major upset.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Will Win: Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
Could Win: Claire Foy, The Crown
Dark Horse: Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
This is going to be a tight race between Moss and Foy. And though Foy won the Globe and the SAG, Moss has been an Emmy bridesmaid for so long that an overdue win should be coming her way. Though, look out for Davis, who is riding high on her recent Oscar win for Fences
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Will Win: Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
Could Win: Chrissy Metz, This Is Us & Thandie Newton, Westworld
Dark Horse: Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's Tale
This is going to be the hardest category to predict the entire night. This is Us has been incredibly popular with actors — they have seven acting nominations — and is the only broadcast show in contention on the drama side. Metz has a narrative to win. However, Millie Bobby Brown, is the actor of the moment. She has become such a cultural icon even larger than the show itself. Plus, if the show wins Drama Series, it can certainly take her along the ride. Thandie Newton has received the most acclaim of anyone in this category, but Westworld‘s confusing narrative could squander its chances in these main categories. It's a coin flip at this point. I'm going to give Brown the VERY slight edge, but don't be surprised if one of the other two actresses surprise.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win: John Lithgow, The Crown
Could Win: Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us
Dark Horse: David Harbour, Stranger Things
John Lithgow should easily win this category. But Ron Cephas Jones certainly has room to upset. If Stranger Things goes on a sweep, Harbour could be taken along.
Writing for a Drama Series
Will Win: “Offred” (The Handmaid's Tale)
Could Win: “The Vanishing of Will Byers” ( Stranger Things)
Directing for a Drama Series
Will Win: “The Vanishing of Will Byers” (Stranger Things)
Could Win: “Offred” (The Handmaid's Tale)
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.