Giovana Gelhoren
Updated on: October 11, 2024 9:21 am GMT
The 2024 Emmy Awards are set to take place this Sunday in Los Angeles, just nine months after the previous event, making it a particularly anticipated ceremony. With 25 nominations to its name, FX’s epic series, Shōgun, stands out as a frontrunner, potentially ready to take on the mantle left by last year’s favorite, Succession. As television continues to captivate audiences, here’s a look at this year’s nominees and predictions across several major categories.
Outstanding Drama Series
This year’s competition for Outstanding Drama Series features several contenders, though many past favorites are notably absent. The nominees include:
- Shōgun
- The Crown
- The Morning Show
- Fallout
- The Gilded Age
- 3 Body Problem
- Mr and Mrs Smith
- Slow Horses
The lack of last year’s Emmy mainstays, such as The Last of Us and The White Lotus, highlights a relatively quieter year for drama series. Among the contenders, Shōgun distinguishes itself not only by sheer volume of nominations but also by the critical acclaim it has received over the year. While The Crown and The Morning Show return with mixed reviews, Shōgun’s rich narrative, set in feudal Japan, has resonated strongly with both audiences and critics, most recently garnering a record-setting 14 Creative Arts Emmys.
Will Win: Shōgun
Should Win: Shōgun
Outstanding Comedy Series
Comedy has its own mix of nominees this year that includes:
- Abbott Elementary
- The Bear
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Hacks
- Only Murders in the Building
- Palm Royale
- Reservation Dogs
- What We Do in the Shadows
Despite its nomination, The Bear is often deemed to stray far from traditional comedy narratives, especially in its second season, which leans into dramatic storytelling. However, it is likely to continue its winning streak after claiming six awards in the previous ceremony. Competing against classics such as Abbott Elementary and the cult hit Reservation Dogs, The Bear finds itself in a challenging category.
Will Win: The Bear
Should Win: Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Limited Series
This year’s nominees for Limited Series reflect a mix of quality and competition:
- Baby Reindeer
- Fargo
- Lessons in Chemistry
- Ripley
- True Detective: Night Country
Limited series offerings have been underwhelming this year, with Baby Reindeer emerging as the clear favorite. This series has generated considerable attention and acclaim, particularly for its haunting themes and performances. While Fargo and True Detective offer strong narratives, they have failed to capture the same level of public interest as Baby Reindeer.
Will Win: Baby Reindeer
Should Win: Ripley
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The nominations in the lead actress category are highly competitive and feature:
- Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
- Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age)
- Maya Erskine (Mr and Mrs Smith)
- Anna Sawai (Shōgun)
- Imelda Staunton (The Crown)
- Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show)
This category showcases a talented array of performers, with Shōgun’s Anna Sawai being a notable standout as Lady Mariko, contributing significantly to the series’ acclaim. The competition includes heavyweight names like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, yet Sawai’s captivating performance may carry her through to victory.
Will Win: Anna Sawai
Should Win: Anna Sawai
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor include:
- Idris Elba (Hijack)
- Donald Glover (Mr and Mrs Smith)
- Walton Goggins (Fallout)
- Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
- Hiroyuki Sanada (Shōgun)
- Dominic West (The Crown)
In this category, Hiroyuki Sanada’s portrayal of Lord Toranaga in Shōgun is expected to garner significant attention, given his strong performance and the character’s central role in driving the plot. While Donald Glover and Gary Oldman are also formidable contenders, Sanada’s commanding presence positions him as a probable winner.
Will Win: Hiroyuki Sanada
Should Win: Hiroyuki Sanada
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
This year’s nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress include:
- Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
- Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
- Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building)
- Maya Rudolph (Loot)
- Jean Smart (Hacks)
- Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale)
Ayo Edebiri’s performance in The Bear has gained substantial traction and popularity among audiences, which may appeal to Emmy voters. Jean Smart, however, is also recognized for her nuanced portrayal in Hacks, making this category particularly competitive.
Will Win: Ayo Edebiri
Should Win: Jean Smart
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
The nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor include:
- Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows)
- Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
- Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building)
- Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
- Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)
- D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs)
With multiple actors from Only Murders in the Building vying for the trophy and Jeremy Allen White continuing to deliver an impressive performance in The Bear, the competition remains tight. However, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai’s role in Reservation Dogs provides a fresh perspective in this category and may surprise many.
Will Win: Jeremy Allen White
Should Win: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
This year’s Emmy Awards are going to show off a lot of different talents in all the categories. People who watch the show and those who work in the industry are really excited for the ceremony this Sunday. Everyone is buzzing about who might win, which shows how lively and changing television is right now.
