Happy EMMY Night!!!! After a year of awesome television and months after nominations were announced, the big night is finally here. And, like the Academy, we have saved the best awards for last. Today we are breaking down the respectable categories: TV Drama!
Sure comedy has more fun, but it’s drama that brings the, well, drama!
Drama Queens
Up first: Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. And the amazing nominees are: Alexis Bledel (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”), Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”), Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”), Thandie Newton (“Westworld”), and Yvonne Strahovski (“The Handmaid’s Tale”).
There are a lot of nominees from The Handmaid’s Tale, and that could dilute the vote. Millie BB, the oldest teenager ever, is great in Stranger Things but I don’t think the role will bring her a statue.
Vanessa in Crown is great but the role isn’t that challenging. Thandie Newton should win for an amazing season two on Westworld, but EVERYONE loves Game of Thrones. Its absence last year was lamented among voters and will likely carry all or most nominees to victory now.
Supporting Actor in A Drama Series nominees are Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (“Game of Thrones”), Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), Joseph Fiennes (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), David Harbour (“Stranger Things”), Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”), and Matt Smith (“The Crown”).
Matt’s great in The Crown but, again, the role doesn’t offer that much meat. Same with Harbour and Stranger Things. Mandy Patinkin could bring it home for Homeland, but our money is on Peter Dinklage. GoT is a powerhouse and he carries the show.
Taking The Lead
For Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the nominees are Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”), Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”), Keri Russell (“The Americans”), and Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”).
Claire could take it this year as it’s her last chance since the show is moving on to an older version of the Queen (ageism!). Orphan Black was great but it’s last season didn’t bring the buzz. That’s not a requirement but with Handmaid and Westworld as two elephants in the room, Maslany needs all the help she can get.
It comes down to those two shows, and we expect Elisabeth to bring home the statue.
The nominees for Lead Actor in a Drama Series are Jason Bateman (“Ozark”), Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”), Ed Harris (“Westworld”), Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”), Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”), and Jeffrey Wright (“Westworld”).
This one is tough and honestly we’re hoping for a six way tie.
If voters are looking to throw a little love to the antiquated broadcast networks, they could give it to Milo or Sterling. Both turned in powerhouse performances, but if we’re grading against the first season, there was definitely a drop off in overall quality of the show.
The Academy has never given any love to The Americans beyond a nomination. Rhys was good but not breakthrough great. Jason is powerful and deserving in Ozark, but it’s Westworld’s world and we’re just living in it. Ed and Jeffery are battling it out, and if they don’t cancel each other in the voting, Wright should get it but look for Harris to be posing with the statue at the after party.
The Dramatic Moment
And finally.. the big prize nominees are “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Game of Thrones,” “This Is Us,” “The Crown,” “The Americans,” “Stranger Things,” and “Westworld.”
Seven nominees but only two contenders: Westworld and Game of Thrones. Westworld is amazing. From set design, script, acting, cinematography. But so is Game of Thrones, and everyone loves it. This is definitely a GoT night!
The Critic’s Cocktail Recommendation
Champagne. It’s not original but we are toasting the best of TV’s best tonight. We’ll have a wrap up of the entire night tomorrow morning.
Cheers!
Critic's Cocktail 