Drama Series
1
Game of Thrones
Perhaps you’ve heard – it’s ‘Game of Thrones' ‘ last season. Expect nothing less than Emmy voters to catapult HBO to the forefront of the nomination game, helping the network reclaim its throne as a top award winner.
-Lorraine Ali
2
Killing Eve
Two nominations last year, including one for Daniel Craig-requested new James Bond writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
-Envelope Staff
3
Better Call Saul
The show has received so much acclaim (and nominations, including three for Best Drama), it's no longer thought of as ‘that “Breaking Bad” prequel.’
-Envelope Staff
4
This Is Us
The popular tearjerker has won three acting awards but not the big prize yet, despite nominations in its first two seasons.
-Envelope Staff
5
Homecoming
Both ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (Season 3) aren’t eligible this year, so look for some fresh blood in the drama category.
-Kristen Baldwin
6
Succession
Will its raft of honors for its freshman season (including a DGA for Adam McKay) translate to an Emmy nom?
-Envelope Staff
7
Pose
Will Golden Globe and BTJA (Critics' Choice) nominations presage Emmy nods?
-Envelope Staff
Drama Lead Actress
1
Sandra Oh
Killing Eve
After Oh lost last year’s Emmy but went on to win a slew of other awards, the Television Academy will take notice. Hopefully a rising ‘Killing Eve’ tide will also lift up Jodie Comer, who gives an equally powerful performance on the show.
-Kelly Lawler
2
Julia Roberts
Homecoming
There was a plethora of strong female roles this year, and a dynamic mix of former Oscar- and Emmy-winning performers to fill them.
-Lorraine Ali
3
Jodie Comer
Killing Eve
Oh my! Sandra Oh is on a roll, but there’s a groundswell for her fascinating co-star Jodie Comer as ‘Eve’s’ insane engine.
-Matt Roush
4
Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones
The three-time nominee could win her first Emmy this year - as well as the Iron Throne.
-Envelope Staff
5
Christine Baranski
The Good Fight
There’s no ‘Westworld’ in the mix this year, so why not give Evan Rachel Wood’s slot to national treasure Christine Baranski? (And if you aren’t watching ‘The Good Fight,’ fix that immediately).
-Kristen Baldwin
6
Laura Linney
OZARK
She already has four Emmys in five nominations, plus three Oscar noms. What's one more?
-Envelope Staff
7
Robin Wright
HOUSE OF CARDS
Will she get her 11th Emmy nomination (three Daytime, two Primetime for producing) or settle for an ‘I Survived Frank Underwood and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt’ bit of swag?
-Envelope Staff
Drama Lead Actor
1
Bob Odenkirk
Better Call Saul
Odenkirk already has two Emmys - for writing on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Ben Stiller Show’
-Envelope Staff
2
Sterling K. Brown
This Is Us
Brown already has two Emmys (one for ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’).
-Envelope Staff
3
Billy Porter
Pose
Some of the biggest performances of the year—Billy Porter as the impassioned Pray Tell, [Richard] Madden’s embattled hero [in ‘Bodyguard’], [Brian] Cox’s corporate King Lear [in ‘Succession’]—make this an unusually exciting category.
-Matt Roush
4
Kit Harington
Game of Thrones
Did we mention ‘Game of Thrones’ is ending…forever?! Kit Harington may actually stand a chance this time at winning the category, especially if voters are feeling sentimental.
-Lorraine Ali
5
Jason Bateman
Ozark
Who could have foreseen Teen Wolf (Too) becoming the awards darling he has been in recent years? He already has four Emmy nominations - one for directing an ‘Ozark’ episode last year.
-Envelope Staff
6
Richard Madden
bodyguard
Netflix’s U.K. import ‘Bodyguard’ was popular at the Golden Globes, which might propel it to Emmy success, and give Richard Madden the chance to hang with his old ‘Game of Thrones’ pals.
-Kelly Lawler
7
Michael Pena
NARCOS: MEXICO
The SAG winner has long been an outstanding, versatile presence on the big screen - will his portrayal of real-life DEA agent Kiki Camarena get him his first Emmy nod?
-Envelope Staff
8
Stephan James
HOMECOMING
Here’s hoping that the onset of ‘This Is Us’ fatigue will open up a slot for Stephan James, who had a breakthrough year with ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and Amazon’s ‘Homecoming’
-Kristen Baldwin
Drama Supporting Actor
1
Peter Dinklage
GAME OF THRONES
In the fight between Saul Goodman and the Lannister brothers, the Lannisters will probably win.
-Kelly Lawler
2
Bobby Cannavale
HOMECOMING
The two-time winner and four-time nominee played perhaps the most despicable villain on TV this season. But we're sure he's really a nice guy.
-Envelope Staff
3
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
GAME OF THRONES
It's the Academy's last chance to honor perhaps 'Game of Thrones'' most transformative character arc.
-Envelope Staff
4
Jonathan Banks
BETTER CALL SAUL
"He's had five nominations, including four as this character in two series
-Envelope Staff
5
Kieran Culkin
SUCCESSION
All are previous nominees, save for Culkin, who should break through for his bad-boy turn on 'Succession.'
-Glenn Whipp
6
Matthew Macfadyen
SUCCESSION
The colorfully corrupted characters of HBO’s 'Succession' perform the sort of scene-stealing this category is all about.
-Matt Roush
7
Giancarlo Esposito
BETTER CALL SAUL
He was previously nominated for this role in 'Breaking Bad.'
-Envelope Staff
Drama Supporting Actress
1
Lena Headey
Game of thrones
Six of last year’s nominees came from shows not competing this year. Does that make Lena Headey the favorite to finally win?
-Kelly Lawler
2
Julia Garner
OZARK
She has two Critics Choice and two SAG nominations; will this be her first Emmy nod?
-Envelope Staff
3
Rhea Seehorn
BETTER CALL SAUL
If the Academy has any sense (ha!), this should be a formidable match between the women of 'Game of Thrones,' most of whom are poised to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and the fierce lawyers of 'The Good Fight' and 'Better Call Saul,' both of whom who strive to rule their own destinies no matter the odds in their cutthroat, patriarchal profession.
-Lorraine Ali
4
Sophie Turner
Game of Thrones
She has shared six SAG Ensemble nominations with her 'GoT' cast; Team Sansa would love to see her win both the throne and an Emmy.
-Envelope Staff
5
Maisie Williams
Game of Thrones
Even without 'Handmaid’s Tale' in the mix, the always-competitive category will be packed again this year thanks to the final season of 'Game of Thrones.'
-Envelope Staff
6
Fiona Shaw
Killing eve
The accomplished actress with two Olivier Awards is currently up for a British TV Academy award for this role.
-Envelope Staff
7
Chrissy Metz
This Is Us
We’re still waiting for wicked Queen Cersei (Headey) to get this ultimate prize, but the 'This Is Us' actors got plenty of emotional meat (parental and marital) to chew on this year.
-Matt Roush
Comedy Series
1
Barry
In its first season, it received 13 Emmy nominations (six of them Creative Arts Emmys), winning three - including for actors Hader and Winkler.
-Envelope Staff
1
Veep
HBO’s Emmy magnet 'Veep' is back after a two-year absence, and it will likely dominate in all the comedy categories.
-Kristen Baldwin
3
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Sending 'Veep' off with a fourth best comedy win would help confirm its place in TV history, but 'Mrs. Maisel' is easier to love, so this could be a tough call.
-Matt Roush
4
The Good Place
One of the most clever and twisty comedies on TV got two acting noms last year; it would be heavenly to see it get more notice this time.
-Envelope Staff
5
The Kominsky Method
It collected the Golden Globe for Best Comedy and Michael Douglas' lead performance, and three SAG noms.
-Envelope Staff
6
Black-ish
It has received more Emmy nominations each year it has aired, including three straight for Comedy Series.
-Envelope Staff
7
GLOW
'Veep' and 'Modern Family' are not allowed to win this again (my rule, not the Academy’s). Don’t mess with the ladies of 'GLOW.'
-Lorraine Ali
Comedy Lead Actress
1
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Veep
Honestly, this category should just have one nominee: Julia Louis-Dreyfus. If beating cancer and being incredibly brilliant in the final season of 'Veep' doesn’t earn her the win, nothing will.
-Kristen Baldwin
2
Rachel Brosnahan
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
The reigning champ holds all the titles (Emmy, Critics' Choice, SAG, Golden Globes, TCA).
-Envelope Staff
3
Natasha Lyonne
RUSSIAN DOLL
Although Louis-Dreyfus has this sewn up, the real question is whether Lyonne and [Catherine] O’Hara [of 'Schitt's Creek'] will break through this stacked category for their offbeat but critically acclaimed shows.
-Kelly Lawler
4
Allison Janney
MOM
She's got an Oscar and seven Emmys, including two in this role. Tough to say she towers over the competition, though, with Brosnahan and Emmy goddess JLD in there.
-Envelope Staff
5
Pamela Adlon
BETTER THINGS
She has an Emmy for voice work and a Peabody (and two Emmy nominations) for 'Better Things.'
-Envelope Staff
6
Issa Rae
INSECURE
Female-led comedies, many in their second season, had a stellar year. But if there’s any justice in the world (ha!), Issa Rae should get her designer gown lined up – and an acceptance speech prepared -- because 'Insecure' is still one of the best shows on TV, period!
-Lorraine Ali
7
Ellie Kemper
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
You blinked and she had two Emmy nominations and seven SAG noms.
-Envelope Staff
Comedy Lead Actor
1
Bill Hader
BARRY
The reigning champ. Pop quiz: For what did he win his first Emmy? Hint: There's ample parking day or night, people spouting, 'Howdy neighbor!'
-Envelope Staff
2
Michael Douglas
THE KOMINSKY METHOD
Douglas (and his co-star Alan Arkin) will be hard to beat this year for the bittersweet 'Kominsky Method.'
-Glenn Whipp
3
Ted Danson
The good place
He has two wins. And 16 nominations.
-Envelope Staff
4
Anthony Anderson
BLACK-ISH
He has been nominated seven times for his roles on camera and behind the scenes of 'Black-ish.'
-Envelope Staff
5
Don Cheadle
BLACK MONDAY
Recent headlines plus the Television Academy’s deep love for Don Cheadle (he was nominated four times for Showtime’s 'House of Lies') will likely bump perennial nominee William H. Macy out of the running this year.
-Kristen Baldwin
6
Jim Carrey
KIDDING
Emmy voters are boring and predictable most of the time, and they love movie stars almost as much as the Golden Globes voters.
-Kelly Lawler
7
John Goodman
THE CONNERS
He was previously nominated for this role seven times on 'Roseanne' (among his 11 noms, he won as a guest actor on 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip').
-Envelope Staff
Comedy Supporting Actor
1
Alan Arkin
THE KOMINSKY METHOD
So happy for Winkler’s long-overdue win last year, but now it’s a battle between the Veep lunatics and the curmudgeonly Kominsky veteran.
-Matt Roush
2
Henry Winkler
BARRY
Heyyyyy, after six previous Emmy nominations, the reigning champ can sit on last year's win in this category.
-Envelope Staff
3
Tony Hale
VEEP
He has two wins (and five nominations) for this role - hard to believe he never got one for 'Arrested Development' - but whatever else he does this year is likely to be overshadowed by his memorable performance as an anxious spork in 'Toy Story 4.'
-Envelope Staff
4
Tony Shalhoub
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
Three-time winner (for 'Monk'), nine-time nominee.
-Envelope Staff
5
Anthony Carrigan
BARRY
Confession: Putting Anthony Carrigan on this list may be a bit of wishful (or magical) thinking, but I don’t want to live in a world where his excellence as NoHo Hank goes unrecognized.
-Kristen Baldwin
6
Kenan Thompson
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
He was nominated last year in this category, and shared a win for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for 'Come Back Barack' from 'Saturday Night Live.'
-Envelope Staff
7
Louie Anderson
BASKETS
He has been nominated every year of the series (three total), and won in 2016.
-Envelope Staff
8
Matt Walsh
VEEP
Two-time nominee for this role, to go with five SAG ensemble noms (one win).
-Envelope Staff
9
Tituss Burgess
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
He has been nominated every year of the series (four total) as one of its signature characters.
-Envelope Staff
Comedy Supporting Actress
1
Anna Chlumsky
VEEP
Her five nominations in this role may or may not equal her MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Macaulay Culkin) for 'My Girl' (1991, age 10-11).
-Envelope Staff
2
Alex Borstein
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
Pulled off two wins last year, for this role and for her voice work on 'Family Guy.'
-Envelope Staff
3
Kate McKinnon
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Two-time winner (six-time nominee) McKinnon is also a standout in the big-screen 'Yesterday.'
-Envelope Staff
4
Betty Gilpin
GLOW
"Nominated last year in this category, Gilpin is putting together a growing list of projects in which she does great work, no matter the size of the role."
-Envelope Staff
5
Aidy Bryant
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Bryant earned her first acting nomination here last year. It’d be great to see a nod for her appealing star turn in Hulu’s 'Shrill' as well.
-Glenn Whipp
6
Olivia Colman
FLEABAG
Colman and Bryant are likely to sneak into this category on the strength of their other projects ('The Favourite' and 'Shrill,' respectively).
-Kelly Lawler
7
Laurie Metcalf
The Conners
'Roseanne' was great before its namesake signed on to Twitter late one night and, well, you know the rest. Laurie Metcalf deserves this one for never losing a beat with 'The Conners.' But will the Academy be able to see beyond the industry’s infatuation with 'Mrs. Maisel?'
-Lorraine Ali
Limited Series
1
Escape at Dannemora
'True Detective' returned to form this year, but Ben Stiller’s gripping prison-escape drama seems the show to beat.
-Matt Roush
2
Fosse/Verdon
Likely a two-way battle between the terrific true-crime drama 'Dannemora' and the razzle-dazzle show biz tale 'Fosse/Verdon.'
-Glenn Whipp
3
A Very English Scandal
The import has collected a number of noms and awards already, especially for its writing and the performances of Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.
-Envelope Staff
4
Catch-22
With 'Thrones' and 'Veep' set to likely sweep this year, the limited series categories will likely be the most competitive, and none more than the top honor, which will change dramatically when the Academy gets to see heavy hitters like 'Fosse,' 'Catch-22' and 'When They See Us.'
-Kelly Lawler
5
Sharp Objects
Among its wins: Both lead Amy Adams and supporting actress Patricia Clarkson taking home Critics' Choice Awards.
-Envelope Staff
6
True Detective
Anchored by two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali's era-jumping performance, Season 3 may have regained some of the goodwill garnered by the outstanding Season 1.
-Envelope Staff
7
I Am the Night
This has been a so-so category in Emmys past, but this time around, it’s a different story. All [contenders on the list] were some of the best productions of the past year, in any category.
-Lorraine Ali
TV Movie
1
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
An Emmy victory would be the coveted choose-your-own-ending for the 'Bandersnatch' team.
-Glenn Whipp
2
Deadwood: The Movie
Imagine Al Swearengen’s rant if the long-awaited 'Deadwood' movie doesn’t come out on top (At least you didn’t have to choose an ending).
-Matt Roush
3
King Lear
The ultra-streamlined (under 2 hours) Shakespeare tragedy certainly has the pedigree - Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, and rising star Florence Pugh.
-Envelope Staff
4
Brexit
It's so timely, it's still happening. Benedict Cumberbatch was restored from the ashes in 'Avengers: Endgame' to lead the 'Vote Leave' campaign.
-Envelope Staff
5
My Dinner with Herve
The fall of the British Empire, Part II, the return of the Old West, and whatever the hell “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” is about, face off against a king and the prince of 'Fantasy Island.'
-Lorraine Ali
6
Native Son
The HBO film is the third screen adaptation of Richard Wright's controversial 1940 novel. Fun fact: Wright himself played the lead in the 1951 Argentine film version, despite being twice the character's age.
-Envelope Staff
7
O.G.
The 'inside' drama - its subject is a longtime prison inmate, it all takes place inside a real prison, and is all about his inner life - is a showcase for Jeffrey Wright's fine acting.
-Envelope Staff
Limited/Movie Lead Actress
1
Patricia Arquette
escape at Dannemora
The more damaged the better, when it comes to choosing between Arquette’s pathetically delusional prison worker and Amy Adams, showing her dark side as the self-abusing prodigal daughter in ‘Sharp Objects’.
-Matt Roush
2
Amy Adams
Sharp Objects
Between Amy Adams’ haunting performance as a dysfunctional journalist returning to her spooky hometown in 'Sharp Objects' and Patricia Arquette as a desperate prison employee and pawn in 'Escape at Dannemora,' there’s no shortage of great picks for this category.
-Lorraine Ali
3
Michelle Williams
Fosse/Verdon
A lot of water has passed under the bridge from 'Dawson's Creek' to four Oscar nominations; the versatile actress-singer-dancer has a great shot at her first Emmy nomination.
-Envelope Staff
4
Connie Britton
dirty john
With 'American Horror Story: Apocalypse' now classified as a drama, Emmy favorite Sarah Paulson won’t be competing in this category — which is good news for Connie Britton.
-Kristen Baldwin
5
Helen Mirren
catherine the great
With 11 Emmy noms (four wins) and four Oscar noms (one win), we're starting to think this Mirren kid could have a pretty good career.
-Envelope Staff
6
Ruth Wilson
Mrs. Wilson
Even in a category full of movie stars, Ruth Wilson might be able to sneak in on the strength of both her performance in 'Mrs. Wilson' and the fact that she’s playing her own grandmother in a stranger-than-fiction story.
-Kelly Lawler
7
Emma Stone
Maniac
Are voters crazy enough about the Oscar winner's performance to give her her first Emmy nomination?
-Envelope Staff
Limited/Movie Lead Actor
1
Hugh Grant
A very english Scandal
Grant's impressive resurgence continues.
-Envelope Staff
2
Mahershala Ali
True Detective
Returning to TV with two Oscars under his belt, Ali made the most of an expansive and tricky role and is poised to add an Emmy to his accolades.
-Matt Roush
3
Sam Rockwell
Fosee/Verdon
The Oscar, SAG, and BAFTA winner looks to add an Emmy nom to all that jazz.
-Envelope Staff
4
Ian McShane
Deadwood
'Deadwood' never received its Emmy due during its series run, so it’ll be interesting to see if voters make things right this time around.
-Glenn Whipp
5
Benicio Del Toro
escape at Dannemora
The Oscar, SAG, and BAFTA winner looks like a strong bet to collect his first Emmy nom.
-Envelope Staff
6
Anthony Hopkins
KING LEAR
If anyone can beat Sir Anthony Hopkins doing Shakespeare, it’s Ian McShane as the foul-mouthed Al Swearengen in HBO’s Shakespearean Western.
-Kristen Baldwin
7
Benedict Cumberbatch
BREXIT
Film actors will likely abound here, as if Hopkins, Cumberbatch or Ali needed more awards to add to their 10-ton collection.
-Lorraine Ali
Credits: Helen Sloane / HBO, Christopher Saunders / Showtime, Sophie Mutevelian / BBC / Blueprint Television, AP, HBO, Al Seib / Los Angeles Times, Mike Yarish / Netflix, Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times, Michael Owen Baker / For The Times, Netflix, Micha Theiner / For The Times