In theory, we know what’s going to happen during the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night. Well, in terms of who has the honor of receiving a virtual trophy that is. The socially distanced telecast itself? Eh, not so much. But when the Jimmy Kimmel hosted event comes to an end “Succession,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Watchmen” are expected to be the big series winners of the night. That’s not to say, however, there isn’t a ton of nervousness among networks and nominees over a bunch of acting, writing, and directing categories.
READ MORE: Maya Rudolph and, yes, Quibi are the big winners on Creative Emmys night four
Which “Succession” actor will win Lead Actor in a Drama Series or will they split the vote? Can “Schitt’s Creek” really take both the Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmys? Is Jim Parsons really going to win for his work in “Hollywood?” Really? Can “Schitt’s Creek” take both writing and directing honors over Prime Video’s powerhouse “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel?” Can “The Crown” sneak win anywhere? Is “The Mandalorian” lurking in the shadows for a Drama Series surprise?
Just a few of the questions you should ponder as we present our predictions for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
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Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson, Sr. on Black-ish • ABC
Don Cheadle as Maurice “Mo” Monroe on Black Monday • Showtime
Ted Danson as Michael on The Good Place • NBC
Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky on The Kominsky Method • Netflix
Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose on Schitt’s Creek • Pop TV
Ramy Youssef as Ramy Hassan on Ramy • Hulu
Winner: Eugene Levy, “Schitt’s Creek“
Should Win: Don Cheadle, “Black Monday”
Upset: Ramy Youssef, “Ramy”
Quick Take: I would not want to bet on this category in Vegas. Gut says Youssef takes it, but that Casting for a Comedy Series win for “Creek” was damn impressive. Levy by a hair. Maybe.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate as Jen Harding on Dead to Me • Netflix
Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam “Midge” Maisel on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
Linda Cardellini as Judy Hale on Dead to Me • Netflix
Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek • Pop TV
Issa Rae as Issa Dee on Insecure • HBO
Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson on Black-ish • ABC
Winner: Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Should Win: O’Hara
Upset: Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”
Quick Take: Like the Best Actor in a Comedy Series contest, this race is much tighter than it looks with either O’Hara, Applegate, or Broshahan pulling it out it. My hunch says O’Hara, she’s the one nominee the industry seems to be rooting for the most.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman as Martin “Marty” Byrde on Ozark • Netflix
Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson on This Is Us • NBC
Steve Carell as Mitch Kessler on The Morning Show • Apple TV+
Brian Cox as Logan Roy on Succession • HBO
Billy Porter as Pray Tell on Pose • FX
Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy on Succession • HBO
Winner: Jeremy Strong, “Succession”
Should Win: Strong
Upset: Billy Porter, “Pose” or Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
Quick Take: Something tell us that Porter could possibly repeat after “Pose” was snubbed in the Drama Series category, but we’re going with Strong. It’s the performance that has seemingly resonated the most with the industry this year. The issue is whether he’ll split too many votes with co-star Brian Cox to win. Bateman could potentially be the biggest benefactor from said “Succession” split.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy on The Morning Show • Apple TV+
Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown • Netflix
Jodie Comer as Oksana Astankova / Villanelle on Killing Eve • BBC America
Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde on Ozark • Netflix
Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri on Killing Eve • BBC America
Zendaya as Rue Bennett on Euphoria • HBO
Winner: Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Should Win: Linney or Olivia Colman, “The Crown”
Upset: Colman, Zendaya, “Euphoria,” Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show”
Quick Take: We expect Linney to win, but outside of “Killing Eve’s” Sandra Oh or Jodie Comer, no one in the remaining field would be a genuine surprise.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt on Watchmen • HBO
Hugh Jackman as Dr. Frank Tassone on Bad Education • HBO
Paul Mescal as Connell Waldron on Normal People • Hulu
Jeremy Pope as Archie Coleman on Hollywood • Netflix
Mark Ruffalo as Dominick and Thomas Birdsey on I Know This Much Is True • HBO
Winner: Mark Ruffalo, “I Know This Much Is True”
Should Win: Hugh Jackman, “Bad Education”
Upset: Jackman or Jeremy Irons, “Watchmen”
Quick Take: Ruffalo was fantastic playing identical brothers in “This Much Is True,” but very few viewers or critics adored that mini-series (quite the opposite in fact). It’s likely a different story for his peers.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly on Mrs. America • FX
Shira Haas as Esther “Esty” Shapiro on Unorthodox • Netflix
Regina King as Angela Abar / Sister Night on Watchmen • HBO
Octavia Spencer as Madam C. J. Walker on Self Made • Netflix
Kerry Washington as Mia Warren on Little Fires Everywhere • Hulu
Winner: Regina King, “Watchmen”
Should Win: King or Shira Haas, “Unorthodox”
Upset: Haas or Cate Blanchett, “Mrs. America”
Quick Take: King, a three-time winner, seems safe here. The only concern is Haas, who practically carried “Unorthodox” on her back.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Mahershala Ali as Sheikh Ali Malik on Ramy • Hulu
Alan Arkin as Norman Newlander on The Kominsky Method • Netflix
Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine • NBC
Sterling K. Brown as Reggie on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
William Jackson Harper as Chidi Anagonye on The Good Place • NBC
Dan Levy as David Rose on Schitt’s Creek • Pop TV
Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
Kenan Thompson as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live • NBC
Winner: Tony Shalhoub, “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Should Win: Kenan Thompson, “Saturday Night Live”
Upset: Thompson, Dan Levy, “Schitt’s Creek” or Mahershala Ali, “Ramy”
Quick Take: Shalhoub should repeat here. We’re just not confident enough that Dan Levy can take this competitive category despite the love for “Schitt’s Creek.” Watch out for Ali and Thompson though.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
D’Arcy Carden as Janet on The Good Place • NBC
Betty Gilpin as Debbie “Liberty Bell” Eagan on GLOW • Netflix
Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
Kate McKinnon as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live • NBC
Annie Murphy as Alexis Rose on Schitt’s Creek • Pop TV
Yvonne Orji as Molly Carter on Insecure • HBO
Cecily Strong as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live • NBC
Winner: Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Should Win: Cecily Strong, “Saturday Night Live” or Annie Murphy, “Schitt’s Creek”
Upset: Murphy
Quick Take: “Maisel” is too popular not to take home some major wins and Borstein, like her co-star Shalhoub, is any easy repeat pick. If Murphy surprises here it will be a very, very big night for “Schitt’s Creek.”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch on Succession • HBO
Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison on The Morning Show • Apple TV+
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy on Succession • HBO
Mark Duplass as Charlie “Chip” Black on The Morning Show • Apple TV+
Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring on Better Call Saul • AMC
Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans on Succession • HBO
Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence on The Handmaid’s Tale • Hulu
Jeffrey Wright as Bernard Lowe on Westworld • HBO
Winner: Kieran Culkin, “Succession”
Should Win: Nicholas Braun, “Succession”
Upset: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
Quick Take: Having two other co-stars in this category doesn’t make it easy for Culkin, but we can’t see Crudup winning this. Perhaps we’ll be proven wrong.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret on The Crown • Netflix
Laura Dern as Renata Klein on Big Little Lies • HBO
Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore on Ozark • Netflix
Thandie Newton as Maeve Millay on Westworld • HBO
Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens on Killing Eve • BBC America
Sarah Snook as Siobhan “Shiv” Roy on Succession • HBO
Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright on Big Little Lies • HBO
Samira Wiley as Moira Strand on The Handmaid’s Tale • Hulu
Winner: Helena Bonham Carter, “The Crown”
Should Win: Carter
Upset: Julia Garner, “Ozark” or Meryl Streep, “Big Little Lies”
Quick Take: Garner could easily earn her second Emmy while Streep could take her fourth. And no one should be shocked if either of their names are announced. That being said, Carter’s work in her submitted episode is devastating and the Television Academy has already shown their love for previous stars of Peter Morgan’s series.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Calvin “Cal” Abar / Doctor Manhattan on Watchmen • HBO
Jovan Adepo as Young Will Reeves on Watchmen • HBO
Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend • Netflix
Louis Gossett Jr. as Will Reeves on Watchmen • HBO
Dylan McDermott as Ernest “Ernie” West on Hollywood • Netflix
Jim Parsons as Henry Willson on Hollywood • Netflix
Winner: Yahya Abdul-Mateen, “Watchmen”
Should Win: Abdul-Mateen
Upset: Jim Parsons, “Hollywood”
Quick Take: We’ll ask the question one more time: We know the Television Academy loves Parsons, but that much? Really? Abdul-Mateen is more known in acting circles than people think. That might just push him over the top.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm on Mrs. America • FX
Toni Collette as Det. Grace Rasmussen on Unbelievable • Netflix
Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug on Mrs. America • FX
Jean Smart as Laurie Blake on Watchmen • HBO
Holland Taylor as Ellen Kincaid on Hollywood • Netflix
Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan on Mrs. America • FX
Winner: Jean Smart, “Watchmen”
Should Win: Jean Smart, “Watchmen” or Toni Collette, “Unbelievable”
Upset: Collette
Quick Take: It better be Smart and that’s all we have to say on that.
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
The Great (Episode: “The Great”), Directed by Matt Shakman • Hulu
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Episode: “It’s Comedy or Cabbage”), Directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino • Amazon Prime Video
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Episode: “Marvelous Radio”), Directed by Daniel Palladino • Amazon Prime Video
Modern Family (Episode: “Finale, Part 2”), Directed by Gail Mancuso • ABC
Ramy (Episode: “Miakhalifa.mov”), Directed by Ramy Youssef • Hulu
Schitt’s Creek (Episode: “Happy Ending”), Directed by Andrew Cividino and Dan Levy • Pop TV
Will & Grace (Episode: “We Love Lucy”), Directed by James Burrows • NBC
Winner: Andrew Cividino and Dan Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”
Should Win: Amy Sherman-Palladino, “It’s Comedy or Cabbage”
Upset: Sherman-Palladino or Ramy Youssef, “Ramy”
Quick Take: This one is so damn hard to call. Could surprise.
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
The Crown (Episode: “Aberfan”), Directed by Benjamin Caron • Netflix
The Crown (Episode: “Cri de Coeur”), Directed by Jessica Hobbs • Netflix
Homeland (Episode: “Prisoners of War”), Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter • Showtime
The Morning Show (Episode: “The Interview”), Directed by Mimi Leder • Apple TV+
Ozark (Episode: “Fire Pink”), Directed by Alik Sakharov • Netflix
Ozark (Episode: “Su Casa Es Mi Casa”), Directed by Ben Semanoff • Netflix
Succession (Episode: “Hunting”), Directed by Andrij Parekh • HBO
Succession (Episode: “This Is Not for Tears”), Directed by Mark Mylod • HBO
Winner: Mark Mylod, “Succession”
Should Win: Mylod or Benjamin Caron, “The Crown”
Upset: Caron
Quick Take: Caron could surprise, but Mylod has been doing this a long time and is partially responsible for “Succession’s” impressive run. He’ll get rewarded for it.
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Little Fires Everywhere (Episode: “Find a Way”), Directed by Lynn Shelton • Hulu
Normal People (Episode: “Episode 5”), Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Hulu
Unorthodox, Directed by Maria Schrader • Netflix
Watchmen (Episode: “It’s Summer and We’re Running Out of Ice”), Directed by Nicole Kassell • HBO
Watchmen (Episode: “Little Fear of Lightning”), Directed by Steph Green • HBO
Watchmen (Episode: “This Extraordinary Being”), Directed by Stephen Williams • HBO
Winner: Stephen Williams, “This Extraordinary Being”
Should Win: Williams
Upset: Lynn Shelton, “Find A Way” or Maria Schrader, “Unorthodox”
Quick Take: Shelton could win with the sentimental vote, but Williams’ work is timely and is the pivotal episode of what will be an Emmy-winning Limited Series.
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
The Good Place (Episode: “Whenever You’re Ready”), Written by Michael Schur • NBC
The Great (Episode: “The Great”), Written by Tony McNamara • Hulu
Schitt’s Creek (Episode: “Happy Ending”), Written by Dan Levy • Pop TV
Schitt’s Creek (Episode: “The Presidential Suite”), Written by David West Read • Pop TV
What We Do in the Shadows (Episode: “Collaboration”), Written by Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil • FX
What We Do in the Shadows (Episode: “Ghosts”), Written by Paul Simms • FX
What We Do in the Shadows (Episode: “On the Run”), Written by Stefani Robinson • FX
Winner: Dan Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”
Should Win: Tony McNamara, “The Great”
Upset: Michael Schur, “The Good Place”
Quick Take: It’s insanely hard to pull off a great finale episode of a long running series. That’s something both Levy and Schur accomplished. A flip ’em, but we’re going with Levy.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Better Call Saul (Episode: “Bad Choice Road”), Written by Thomas Schnauz • AMC
Better Call Saul (Episode: “Bagman”), Written by Gordon Smith • AMC
The Crown (Episode: “Aberfan”), Written by Peter Morgan • Netflix
Ozark (Episode: “All In”), Written by Chris Mundy • Netflix
Ozark (Episode: “Boss Fight”), Written by John Shiban • Netflix
Ozark (Episode: “Fire Pink”), Written by Miki Johnson • Netflix
Succession (Episode: “This Is Not for Tears”), Written by Jesse Armstrong • HBO
Winner: Jesse Armstrong, “Succession”
Should Win: Armstrong or Peter Morgan, “The Crown”
Upset: Morgan
Quick Take: Armstrong for the second straight year. ‘Nuff said.
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Mrs. America (Episode: “Shirley”), Written by Tanya Barfield • FX
Normal People (Episode: “Episode 3”), Written by Sally Rooney and Alice Birch • Hulu
Unbelievable (Episode: “Episode 1”), Written by Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman • Netflix
Unorthodox (Episode: “Part 1”), Written by Anna Winger • Netflix
Watchmen (Episode: “This Extraordinary Being”), Written by Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson • HBO
Winner: Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson, “Watchmen”
Should Win: Lindelof and Jefferson
Upset: Anna Winger, “Unorthodox” or Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, “Unbelievable”
Quick Take: This is pretty much a lock, but writers like to throw in a surprise or two.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO
Dead to Me • Netflix
The Good Place • NBC
Insecure • HBO
The Kominsky Method • Netflix
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime Video
Schitt’s Creek • Pop TV
What We Do in the Shadows • FX
Winner: “Schitt’s Creek”
Should Win: “Schitt’s Creek”
Upset: “Dead to Me” or “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Quick Take: The casting win during the Creative Arts Emmys pretty much sealed the deal.
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul • AMC
The Crown • Netflix
The Handmaid’s Tale • Hulu
Killing Eve • BBC America
The Mandalorian • Disney+
Ozark • Netflix
Stranger Things • Netflix
Succession • HBO
Winner: “Succession”
Should Win: “Succession”
Upset: “The Mandalorian” or “Ozark”
Quick Take: It should be “Succession,” but there are wildcards. “Ozark” was one of the buzziest shows of the stay-at-home period and “The Mandalorian” (five Creative Arts Emmys so far) is the “Game of Thrones” in terms of popularity in this category.
Outstanding Limited Series
Little Fires Everywhere • Hulu
Mrs. America • FX
Unbelievable • Netflix
Unorthodox • Netflix
Watchmen • HBO
Winner: “Watchmen”
Should Win: “Watchmen”
Upset: “Unorthodox” or “Unbelievable”
Quick Take: The five Creative Arts Emmy wins so far pretty much demonstrate this is “Watchmen’s” to lose.
Outstanding Variety Talk Series
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah • Comedy Central
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee • TBS
Jimmy Kimmel Live! • ABC
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver • HBO
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert • CBS
Winner: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Should Win: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Upset: Um, no
Quick Take: Honestly, the biggest lock of the night.
Outstanding Competition Program
The Masked Singer F• ox
Nailed It! • Netflix
RuPaul’s Drag Race • VH1
Top Chef • Bravo
The Voice • NBC
Winner: “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Should Win: “RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Upset: “Nailed It!” Or “The Masked Singer”
Quick Take: “Masked Singer” and “Nailed It!” earned just two nominations each. “Singer” took a very deserving Costumes Emmy in the Creative Arts ceremonies and “Nailed It’s” Nicole Beyer could steal the Outstanding Host Emmy Saturday night. Is that enough to beat “Drag Race” which has already won four Creative Arts Emmys? We think not.
The 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards will be televised on ABC from all over the world live this Sunday, Sept. 20 at 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET.
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