It may hardly seem important these days, but since they’re holding a virtual Emmy ceremony in a couple weeks, I’m going to go ahead and make my predictions. It’s a fun distraction for me. We start with acting in a limited series or TV movie and as usual these days, this category is very stacked. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t favorites to be had, as you’ll see.
LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Watchmen is the big favorite of the night
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
So, I really think Watchmen is the heavy favorite this year across the board in limited series. It led the nominations, and that means its lead is very likely to walk away with the trophy, so expect Emmy darling Regina King to win this.
Winner: Regina King
Alternate: Cate Blanchett (an Oscar winner is always a threat)
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
So, I haven’t seen this movie but I heard good things about Jackman in it
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much is True
Now, even with Watchmen the favorite, I don’t think that necessarily gives Jeremy Irons the edge in this category. First of all, he wasn’t really lead. Hugh Jackman has a shot, given he’s a big name and that movie got good reviews, but newcomer Paul Mescal may be the surprise win here, given how much buzz Normal People had. The only question mark is the fact that the show wasn’t nominated in series.
Winner: Hugh Jackman
Alternate: Paul Mescal
Dark Horse: Mark Ruffalo
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
The other actors should have been nominated along with Collette for Unbelievable
Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America
Toni Collette, Unbelievable
Margo Martindale, Mrs. America
Jean Smart, Watchmen
Holland Taylor, Hollywood
Tracey Ullman, Mrs. America
I’d like for one of the Mrs. America ladies to win this, but which one? Could there be vote splitting going on? I imagine Toni Collette is going to take it, as the sole honoree for the very well reviewed Unbelievable, which is also nominated in series. But Jean Smart was terrific too in Watchmen. This is a competitive race.
Winner: Toni Collette
Alternate: Jean Smart
Dark Horse: Tracey Ullman
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
I was not a fan of this makeup or how they chose to make Dr. Manhattan look, but he’ll probably win
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
Jovan Adepo, Watchmen
Titus Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend
Louis Gossett Jr., Watchmen
Dylan McDermott, Hollywood
Jim Parsons, Hollywood
I have not seen this Hollywood show, and with almost all these slots filled with men from either that or Watchmen, this is kind of a crapshoot (I doubt Titus Burgess wins for the Kimmy Schmidt interactive special). I guess I’m going with Abdul-Mateen, as the flashiest role of Dr. Manhattan, but he’s up against some old Emmy veterans in Parsons and McDermott, so it’s close.
Winner: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Alternate: Jim Parsons
Dark Horse: Dylan McDermott
