2024 Emmy Awards predictions: Our selections for potential winners
It’s that time again, time to prepare your elegant attire and scorecards for the 2024 Emmy Awards!
Indeed! Just eight months have passed since the last Emmy event aired on Fox, and now it’s time for the upcoming show on ABC, hosted by the father-son acting duo of Eugene and Dan Levy (8 EDT/5 PDT). The overlap in ceremonies is due to the postponement of January’s awards from the previous September caused by strikes from actors and writers. Now that the schedule is back in sync, we can celebrate the finest television content that streamed or aired from June 2023 to last May.
Who will take home a trophy and who will simply be pleased with a nomination? We’ve sifted through the award season chatter to forecast the winners on Sunday, as well as the true deserving contenders. Get ready to hear a lot about FX’s “The Bear” and “Shōgun”!
Predictions for the (second) 2024 Primetime Emmys
Best Drama Series
◾ “The Crown” (Netflix)
◾ “Fallout” (Amazon Prime Video)
◾ “The Gilded Age” (HBO)
◾ “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)
◾ “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (Amazon Prime Video)
◾ “Shōgun” (FX)
◾ “Slow Horses” (Apple TV+)
◾ “3 Body Problem” (Netflix)
Should/will win: “Shōgun”
If you haven’t seen FX’s grand historical series “Shōgun” yet (available on Hulu), you should definitely check it out. This new adaptation of James Clavell’s renowned novel tells the story of the first English interaction with Japan during a politically volatile period in the 1600s. With impressive sets, powerful performances, and exhilarating action, it’s the successor to “Game of Thrones” you didn’t realize you needed (minus the dragons) and is poised to win multiple Emmys on Sunday, including the coveted best drama award.
Best Comedy Series
◾ “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
◾ “The Bear” (FX)
◾ “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
◾ “Hacks” (Max)
◾ “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
◾ “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
◾ “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
◾ “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
Should win: “Reservation Dogs” Will win: “The Bear”
Due to the Emmy scheduling, it’s actually the excellent second season of “The Bear” that is up for consideration this Sunday, not the mediocre third season that was released this summer. Therefore, the rowdy and foul-mouthed restaurant staff are likely to win the award for the second time (they won for Season 1 in January). However, “Reservation Dogs,” FX’s critically acclaimed comedy, is not just one of last year’s best comedies, but also a standout show of the century, pushing boundaries with a unique perspective. While it received a nomination for its third and final season, it may not be enough to secure a win.
Best Limited/Anthology Series
◾ “Baby Reindeer” (Netflix)
◾ “Fargo” (FX)
◾ “Lessons in Chemistry” (Apple TV+)
◾ “Ripley” (Netflix)
◾ “True Detective: Night Country” (HBO)
Should win: “True Detective: Night Country” Will win: “Baby Reindeer”
The latest season of “True Detective” has been a chilling masterpiece, yet it struggles against the overwhelming buzz surrounding “Baby Reindeer.” This Netflix limited series, created by comedian Richard Gadd, captivated audiences with its dark themes, showcasing the disturbing real-life experience of a man being stalked by an older woman, alongside remarkable performances. Its trending popularity will likely secure it a win.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
◾ Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)
◾ Carrie Coon, “The Gilded Age” (HBO)
◾ Maya Erskine, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (Amazon Prime Video)
◾ Anna Sawai, “Shōgun” (FX)
◾ Imelda Staunton, “The Crown” (Netflix)
◾ Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)
Should/will win: Sawai
Prepare to hear about Anna Sawai because she’s set to capture attention for Shining brightly on screen, the actress known for her outstanding performances in shows such as Apple’s “Pachinko” and “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” is making waves with her role in “Shōgun.” Her exceptional portrayal of noblewoman and translator Toda Mariko is set to elevate this relatively lesser-known actress to new heights, potentially outshining big-name stars in her category while paving the way for greater recognition.
Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series
◾ Idris Elba, “Hijack” (Apple TV+)
◾ Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (Amazon Prime Video)
◾ Walton Goggins, “Fallout” (Amazon Prime Video)
◾ Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses” (Apple TV+)
◾ Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun” (FX)
◾ Dominic West, “The Crown” (Netflix)
Predicted Winner: Sanada
Hiroyuki Sanada is finally receiving the recognition he deserves with his role in FX’s “Shōgun.” The seasoned actor, who has made appearances in American shows like HBO’s “Westworld” and blockbuster films like “Avengers: Endgame,” brings a necessary depth to the series. His remarkable performance as a downfallen nobleman battling for survival is truly impressive. It’s gratifying to see that Emmy voters have acknowledged his talent.
Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
◾ Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
◾ Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear” (FX)
◾ Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
◾ Maya Rudolph, “Loot” (Apple TV+)
◾ Jean Smart, “Hacks” (Max)
◾ Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
Predicted Winner: Smart
The odds are certainly in favor of Smart, as she has already won two awards in this category for her portrayal of aging comic Deborah Vance in “Hacks.” There’s strong likelihood that she will continue this winning streak. While Brunson rightfully won earlier this year, Smart was not in the competition then.
Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
◾ Matt Berry, “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
◾ Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
◾ Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
◾ Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
◾ Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear” (FX)
◾ D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
Should win: Berry Will win: White
As a repeated nominee, Jeremy Allen White is poised to snag another Emmy, given his notable work in his acclaimed series. The TV Academy is likely to recognize his performance from Season 1 as they did for Season 2. However, while White’s work is commendable, performers like Berry and Woon-A-Tai are showcasing even more intriguing performances in their respective series. Particularly, Berry shines as a talented comedian in “What We Do in the Shadows,” concluding its run this fall, and he has limited opportunities left to showcase his talent.
