2021 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama Series

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown "This is Us"

Jonathan Majors "Lovecraft Country"

Josh O'Connor "The Crown"

Rene-Jean Page "Bridgerton"

Billy Porter "Pose"

Matthew Rhys "Perry Mason"

Other Contenders - Pedro Pascal "The Mandalorian", Joseph Fiennes "The Handmaid's Tale", Milo Ventimiglia "This is Us", Anthony Starr "The Boys", Karl Urban "The Boys", Jack Quaid "The Boys", Anthony Mackie "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier", Sebastian Stan "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"

Commentary - Sterling K. Brown and Billy Porter are the only returning nominees from last year. As previous winners in big Drama Series contenders, I'd be shocked if they were left out of this race. Josh O'Connor has been rising in the ranks, scored a SAG Nod, and is in the Best Drama Series front runner. I think he is in, and he could win. Rene-Jean Page leaving Bridgerton was a shock, and that, along with his SAG Nod, only boosts his chances in this category. Perry Mason may not have been the smash HBO was predicting, but if the odds play out, it will do very well with Emmy voters. I find it had to believe that they will pass up the chance to reward Matthew Rhys. That leaves one slot. I am sticking with Jonathan Majors, because there was a lot of buzz for Lovecraft Country, and its cancellation occurred after Emmy voting ended. But The Mandalorian is strong, and I could see them going for Pedro Pascal. Milo Ventimiglia and Joseph Fiennes are previous nominees for these characters and voters could easily return them to the race. Finally, if The Boys or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier breakthrough, their leads could be in play. 

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Uzo Aduba "In Treatment" 

Olivia Colman "The Crown"

Emma Corrin "The Crown"

Phoebe Dynevor "Bridgerton"

Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"

Jurnee Smollett "Lovecraft Country" 

Other Contenders - MJ Rodriguez "Pose", Sarah Paulson "Ratched", Mandy Moore "This is Us", Aya Cash "The Boys"

Commentary - The Crown duo are locks, and the Emmy is probably between them. Elisabeth Moss is a perennial favorite, and the show got renewed critical attention this season. In Treatment is borderline for Best Drama Series, but never bet against the great Uzo Aduba who just won another Emmy last year. Jurnee Smollett is kind of in the same boat Majors is, where her nomination seemed like a given, and the cancellation happened after voting. Finally, I am putting in Phoebe Dynevor, because I think Bridgerton is popular with the actors. MJ Rodriguez might finally get in for Pose, Sarah Paulson is so popular she may be able to overcome the horribleness of Ratched, Aya Cash is fantastic, and Mandy Moore could easily return for This is Us.