And now for something completely different. This is a category where every single nominee from last year is ineligible either through the show not airing, or having completed. That means, every single slot is theoretically up for grabs. I do mean theoretically. So here are my picks for the six ladies most likely to hear their names called Emmy morning, and four who might.
1) Will Be Nominated: Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
Should Be Nominated: Jennifer Aniston (the Morning Show)
I’d love to see both her and Reese, but this category *might* be too competitive for both to get in. that being said, The Morning Show had a very well-received third season, and it is something we know Emmy voters watch. Aniston is very likely to repeat a nomination here. The bigger question is can Witherspoon?
2) SWill Be Nominated: Anna Suwai (Shogun)
Should Be Nominated: Anna Suwei (Shogun)
As interpreter Mariko, Anna had so much rich history given to her character, who faced off a world dominantes by men with all the wit and precision needed of a samurai, who used their brain as their weapon instead of a sword.Anna is likely to not just get the nomination, but as Shogun looks strong to win some awards, she could take this category.
3) Will Be Nominated: Carrie Coon (The Guilded Age)
Should Be Nominated: Carrie Preston (Elsabeth)
It’s not that I think Coon is bad, it’s just that I’m not a huge fan of the show, and there are other performances that grab me more than coon. But, she is given some dramatic weight, and HBO has never been in a position like this where their drama series prospects are so focused on just this one show. Coon is gonna have one hell of a campaign.However, in a perfect world, I’d love to see Preston nominated for her exceptional work on Elsabeth, a character she won an Emmy for playing back on The Good Wife in the Guest Actress category. However, Emmy voters totally ignored The Good Fight, despite fans and critical acclaim, so I am being a realist.
4) Will Be Nominated: Maya Erskin (Mr and Mr Smith)
Should Be Nominated: Kris Marshall (For All Mankind)
Erskin is a bit of a critical darling after Pen15, which is one of the reasons that I think she’s getting this nomination. I am not sure how many the show will get in supporting categories, but Erskin and Glover should come with the show. However, Marshall has delivered consistently terrific work on For All Mankind, and for what looks like her final season, I would love to make sure she got a nomination on her way out of the door. It will never happen.
5) Will be Nominated: Ella Purnell (Fallout)
Should Be Nominated: Ella Purnell (fallout)
cheerful performances rarely catch the voters attention, but there’s something about Purnell that contrasts against the rest of the cast, even when she’s faced with some unspeakable things. She’s still optimistic, upbeat, cheerful, resilient, and that’s a hard performance to pull off season long. You can slowly see it chipping away, and her work in the season finale should get her across the finish line.
6) Will Be Nominated: Imelda Staunton (The Crown)
Should Be Nominated: Anyone Else
Staunton is a legend, and I can’t help but think she was on the cusp of a nomination last year for the 5th season, and she just didn’t get it. The category was too tough. So what changes her outlook? How about completely eliminating her competition, giving her that final season vibe, and reminding voters who gave Claire Foy and Olivia Coleman awards for their work in the same show, that this majestic actress still needs her nomination.
7) Jess Hall (Three Body Problem)
I think Hall has the best shot of surprising, or stealing a spot, but being such a newcomer, it’ll be up to Netflix to push her. I think Three Body Problem is more of a conceptual series, that isn’t going to get a ton of acting nominations. Purnell is maybe the weakest, though there might be a reason they didn’t get Staunton in last year. I would not be surprised at all to see her on the list.
8) Reese Witherspoon (The morning Show)
With a storyline that gave her *a lot* to do, it is kind of crazy that she wouldn’t get the nomination. She had this huge moment with her partner, and spent the majority of the season trying to conceal that her brother was an Insurrectionist. but, somehow, Aniston still feels like the first choice.
9) Carrie Preston (Elsabeth)
I’m not saying her chances are none, but she is on a network drama, so let’s just be realistic here. However, the previous love thrown her character on The God Wife could mean that she’s on her way to a lead actress nomination, even if the show can’t get in.
10) Emma Stone (The curse)
And, I refuse to count out Emma Stone. I think she’s actually got a better chance than anyone else in the show, or the show itself. But, can Showtime convince people this was a hit, and people really took to it? That’s the real question.
Also, a few names of people who are never going to happen, but probably should: Caitrona Balfe (who has never been nominated for Outlander), Danai Gurira (The Ones Who Live), and Kush Jumbo (Criminal Record, a show no one saw, but is getting a second season). I’d also say that Noomi Rapace would make an excellent choice for constellation, but Apple cancelled that show so fast I can’t see them spending a dime on Emmy campaigns.
