Predictions For The 2016 Emmy Award Nominations

Drama

Best Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Uzo Aduba – “Orange Is The New Black”
Christine Baranski – “The Good Wife”
Emilia Clarke – “Game Of Thrones”
Joanne Froggatt – “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey – “Game Of Thrones”
Maggie Siff – “Billions”

Even with no Christina Hendricks to nominate for “Mad Men,” this category’s still a very, very competitive one: even if my predictions lean towards mostly a repeat of last year, there’s the potential for some surprises. The frontrunner to win is Uzo Aduba in “Orange Is The New Black,” while Christine Baranski and Joanne Froggatt should have final nods for “The Good Wife” and “Downton Abbey,” respectively (though Baranski will likely be back with the spin off centered on her character). Maggie Smith wasn’t nominated, shockingly last year for ‘Downton,’ and I think that’ll repeat, but don’t count her out entirely. And the two “Game Of Thrones” women are certain, too. That leaves a lot of competition for a final slot, including Constance Zimmer for “UnReal,” Jessica Lange for “Horace & Pete” and Margo Martindale for “The Good Wife.” But I’m keeping our eyes peeled most on Maggie Siff, a standout in “Billions,” a show that feels very Emmy-friendly to me.

READ MORE: Watch: Supercut Of The First & Final Scenes Of Iconic TV Shows

Best Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Jonathan Banks – “Better Call Saul”
Jim Carter – “Downton Abbey”
Alan Cumming – “The Good Wife”
Peter Dinklage – “Game Of Thrones”
Michael McKean – “Better Call Saul”
Christian Slater – “Mr. Robot”

At least two of last year’s nominees being less prominent in their shows is likely to hurt them this time around, and it’s hard to see Ben Mendelsohn’s character on “Bloodline” being dead, or Michael Kelly’s on “House Of Cards” having less to do, leading to repeats even among repetition-friendly Emmy voters. Even with Jonathan Banks, Jim Carter, Peter Dinklage and (maybe) Alan Cumming all returning, that leaves a couple of slots for some newcomers, and we think Michael McKean’s “Better Call Saul” work, and the star power of Christian Slater on “Mr. Robot” will lead to their nominations over the likes of Alan Alda in “Horace & Pete.”

Best Actress In A Drama Series

Claire Danes – “Homeland”
Viola Davis – “How To Get Away With Murder”
Taraji P. Henson – “Empire”
Tatiana Maslany – “Orphan Black”
Keri Russell – “The Americans”
Robin Wright – “House Of Cards”

This category had some seismic shifts last year, but I’m pretty sure that there’ll be more consistency this year, with most of the newcomers sticking. Claire Danes is the veteran here and will be hard to shake off, while Robin Wright could well see her fourth nomination also convert into her first win. Past that, all of last year’s new additions in Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson and Tatiana Maslany should return, despite their shows sliding quality-wise. Beyond that, previous nominees Michelle Dockery, Kerry Washington, Julianna Marguiles or Vera Farmiga could all be back, or there’s potentially some new blood in the shape of Jennifer Lopez or Ruth Wilson. But my money is that if the critical love for “The Americans” ever pays off, it’ll be with Keri Russell in this category.

Best Actor In A Drama Series

Kyle Chandler – “Bloodline”
Paul Giamatti – “Billions”
Damian Lewis – “Billions”
Rami Malek – “Mr. Robot”
Bob Odenkirk – “Better Call Saul”
Kevin Spacey – “House Of Cards”

Minus stalwarts “Mad Men” and “The Newsroom,” there’s potentially room for a big shake-up in this category this year, though exactly how much of a shake-up remains to be seen. Locked-in, or close to it, are Kevin Spacey and Bob Odenkirk, while even if I was surprised by his nomination last year, I reckon Kyle Chandler will return for “Bloodline.” Beyond that, the title characters from “Horace & Pete,” former nominee Hugh Bonneville (who hasn’t been nominated since 2013), or your dad’s fave, Liev Schreiber, are all serious threats. But I think that Rami Malek of “Mr. Robot” and the two “Billions” leads are the ones to watch here.

Best Drama Series

“Better Call Saul”
“Billions”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game Of Thrones”
“House Of Cards”
“Mr. Robot”
“Orange Is The New Black”

“Mad Men” being out of the running doesn’t exactly free up that much space, with a couple of big heavy-hitting newcomers arriving, and as such, I expect to be waving goodbye to “Homeland” this year, though I think “Downton Abbey” clings on for its final season. As such, returning nominees “Better Call Saul,’ ‘Downton,’ “Game Of Thrones,” “House Of Cards” and “Orange Is The New Black” will be joined by “Mr. Robot” and “Billions” this year. That said, don’t count out a last hurrah for “The Good Wife,” or appearances by “Horace & Pete,” “The Americans” or even “Narcos.”