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2021 Emmys Predictions: Who Should Win And Who Will Win?

Dan Girolamo
Ted Lasso Apple TV+ Emmys

Ted Lasso / Apple TV+

It’s time to hand out some awards. The 2021 Emmys air live this Sunday night, Sept. 19, at 8 PM ET on CBS. This year will mark a return to an in-person event, but there will be a limited red carpet due to COVID concerns.

Streaming could dominate the Emmys as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ are all positioned to receive multiple awards in the biggest categories of the night. In particular, The Crown and Ted Lasso are poised to dominate in drama and comedy respectively.

Below are my predictions for the standout categories on who should win and who will win.

Outstanding Drama Series

Do not adjust your glasses and look for an HBO program because it doesn’t exist. This marks the first time since 2008 where HBO does not have a nominee in Outstanding Drama. The show I enjoyed the most on this list was The Mandalorian. Yup, I said it. I don’t care if you stuff me in a locker. The ending to Season 2 was one of the most satisfying scenes of the last five years. However, there’s only one pick to make and that’s The Crown. This is a must-win category for Netflix. The streaming service has never won Outstanding Drama, and this is undoubtedly the best chance it will ever have.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Did anyone have a better year than Regé-Jean Page? I’d love for Page to win. Even though he’ll probably walk away empty-handed, Page will be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood within three years. This is a two-horse race between O’Connor and Porter, with the latter winning in 2019 in this very category. Does the Academy reward The Crown all night or can Porter and the final season of Pose receive some hardware? No actor in this category has won two Emmys for playing the same character since Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad. That changes on Sunday with Porter.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

To Crown or not to crown. Both Corrin and Colman will be the favorites in this category. However, there’s always the chance that they split the vote. If that’s the case, MJ Rodriguez could follow in Porter’s footsteps and win for the shows’ final season. My pick is Corrin as Princess Diana. It’s a big year for Princess Di in entertainment as Kristen Stewart will probably receive a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of the late English princess.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

If there’s ever been a time to demand a revote, it’s this year. Please give the award to Michael K. Williams. He would have been my pick anyway, but after his tragic passing, the legendary actor deserves this recognition. Give the man his first Emmy. RIP.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

I guess this is the perfect time to admit that I don’t watch The Crown so I can’t review the show. That being said, I know a splashy part when I see it, and the splashiest part in this category is Margaret Thatcher, played by Anderson. God Save The Prime Minister.

Outstanding Comedy Series

At this year’s Emmys, out with Schitt’s Creek, in with Ted Lasso. The AppleTV+ comedy is a runaway hit for good reason. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring, and heartwarming show, a much-needed change of pace from this cynical world. Special shoutout to PEN15 and Cobra Kai, two of my favorite comedies.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Everything I said about Ted Lasso applies to the man who plays the titular role, Jason Sudeikis. Our American hero in England will win with the Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

When in doubt, pick Jean Smart. The critically-acclaimed actress is a double nominee, picking up a supporting nomination for Mare of Easttown in addition to her leading role in Hacks. Between those two shows and Watchmen, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who’s had a better two-year run than Smart. Watch out for Cuoco as a dark horse.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

I wish this award could be split into pieces like the prom queen’s crown in Mean Girls. All four nominees from Ted Lasso are incredible. I’m still amazed at how well the show works. Out of the four nominees, Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent, probably has the edge. However, I’m going to zag here and say SNL’s longest-tenured cast member, Kenan Thompson, finally wins an Emmy, which I won’t have a problem with.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

There’s no other answer.

Ted Lasso / Apple TV+

Outstanding Limited Series

This category deserves some profanity in the form of “holy shit.” This is the toughest category to predcit. All of these shows were so well done. It’s hard to pick a winner. I give the slight nod to Queen’s Gambit. If Queen’s Gambit came out in 2021, it would have been a runaway winner. However, Mare of Easttown dominated pop culture this past Spring so watch out for HBO.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Time for my Hamilton rant. I never saw the show on Broadway, but I loved watching Hamilton on Disney+. I still listen to “Alexander Hamilton,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “You’ll Be Back,” and “Helpless.” It’s a fantastic Broadway show. However, Hamilton should not be allowed to win Emmys. It’s a broadway show that won numerous Tony Awards. It’s not a television movie. Out of all the nominees, Leslie Odom Jr. gave the best performance by far. Odom was incredible as Aaron Burr, but he already won the Tony for Best Actor. Something feels wrong about rewarding Hamilton with Emmys, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible. For these reasons, my pick to win is Paul Bettany. Marvel finally breaks through at the Emmys.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

I’m saying it again. Holy shit! This is the second toughest category to predict. It’s a three-headed monster with Coel, Taylor-Joy, and Winslet. Coel should win in the writing category so I’m going to cross her off the list. In any other year, Taylor-Joy wins this with ease. She’s a budding superstar that’s about to reach the A-list. However, the Emmys love rewarding big movie stars and Winslet is one of the best of her generation. Plus, Winslet was spectacular in Mare of Easttown, one of my favorite performances of the year. My heart says Taylor-Joy, but my head says Winslet.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

For Wawa.

Mare of Easttown / HBO

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Wandavision / Disney+

A coin flip between Hahn and Nicholson. I think Nicholson’s last scene in Mare is some of the best acting of the year. But, it was Agatha all along.

What are your predictions for the Emmys? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.