2025 Emmy Predictions - Best Directing and Writing in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Best Directing in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Will Win - Philip Barantini "Adolescence" 

Could Win - Helen Shaver "The Penguin - Cent'anni" or Jennifer Getzinger "The Penguin - A Great Or Little Thing"

Should Win - Philip Barantini "Adolescence" 

Commentary - The Penguin has two shots, which may undermine its chances of winning, but with its sleek technical elements, I would not be surprised if it upset. That being said, I think the tension building brilliance of Barantini's direction in Adolescence is the one to beat.  

Best Writing in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Will Win - Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham "Adolescence" 

Could Win - Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether "Dying for Sex - Good Value Diet Soda"

Should Win - Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham "Adolescence" 

Commentary - This one feels more like a lock. I can't imagine voters not recognizing the agonizing brilliance of Adolescence in this category. 

2025 Emmy Predictions: Best Competition Program, Reality Host, Structured and Unstructured Reality Series

Best Competition Series

Will Win - The Traitors

Could Win - RuPaul's Drag Race

Should Win - Top Chef

Commentary - RuPaul's Drag Race was finally dethroned last year, and if history tells us anything, it is that The Traitors has several golden years ahead of it in terms of Emmy gold. But never discount a comeback.

Best Reality Host

Will Win - Alan Cumming "The Traitors"

Could Win - RuPaul Charles "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Should Win - Alan Cumming "The Traitors" or Kristen Kish "Top Chef"

Commentary - Again, these voters love to repeat, so I assume, after dethroning the most winning host of all time that Alan Cumming is getting another Emmy this year. Again though, watch out for RuPaul to make a comeback.

Best Structured Reality Series

Will Win - Shark Tank

Could Win - Queer Eye

Should Win - Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Commentary - Queer Eye won for awhile, after Shark Tank won for awhile. Last year voters switched back to Shark Tank. I assume they have switched for a few years, given the history. Or maybe voters could get creative and reward literally anything else?

Best Unstructured Reality Series

Will Win - Welcome to Wrexham

Could Win - Love on the Spectrum

Should Win - I don't care

Commentary - Again, Love on the Spectrum won before, the last two years have been Welcome to Wrexham. I'm picking Wrexham but it could switch back. 

2025 Emmy Predictions: Creative Arts Categories

Best Animated Program - Arcane

Best Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour Or More) - The Penguin

Best Production Design For A Narrative Period Or Fantasy Program (One Hour Or More) - Bridgerton

Best Production Design For A Narrative Program (Half-Hour) - Only Murders in the Building

Best Production Design For A Variety Or Reality Series - Saturday Night Live

Best Production Design For A Variety Special - The Oscars

Best Casting for a Comedy Series - The Studio

Best Casting for a Drama Series - The Pitt

Best Casting For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - Adolescence 

Best Casting for a Reality Program - Love on the Spectrum

Best Choreography for a Scripted Program - Bridgerton

Best Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming - The Oscars

Best Cinematography For A Series (Half-Hour) - The Studio

Best Cinematography For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - The Penguin

Best Cinematography For A Nonfiction Program - 100 Foot Wave

Best Cinematography For A Reality Program - Life Below Zero

Best Cinematography For A Series (One Hour) - Severance

Best Commercial - The Boy & The Octopus - The Walt Disney Company

Best Contemporary Costumes For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - American Horror Stories

Best Contemporary Costumes For A Series - The White Lotus

Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes - House of the Dragon

Best Period Costumes - Bridgerton

Best  Directing For A Documentary/Nonfiction Program - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Best Documentary Or Nonfiction Series - SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night Live

Best Documentary Or Nonfiction Special - Will & Harper

Exceptional Merit In Documentary Filmmaking - Patrice: The Movie

Best Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special - My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman

Best Writing For A Nonfiction Program - Conan O'Brien Must Go

Best Emerging Media Program - SNL 50th The Anniversary Special: Immersive Experience

Best Game Show - Jeopardy!

Best Contemporary Hairstyling - The Penguin

Best Hairstyling For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program - SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Best Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling - Bridgerton

Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Series - Saturday Night Live

Best Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Special - SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Best Technical Direction And Camerawork For A Series - Saturday Night Live

Best Technical Direction and Camerawork For A Special - SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Best Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) - The Penguin

Best Makeup For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program - SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Best Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) - House of the Dragon

Best Prosthetic Makeup - The Penguin

Best Title Design - Severance

Best Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score) -Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Best Music Composition For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score) - The Penguin

Best Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) - Andor

Best Music Direction - SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Best Music Supervision - Severance

Best Original Main Title Theme Music - The White Lotus

Best Original Music And Lyrics - SNL50: The Anniversary Special - Adam Sandler's Song 50 Years

Best Character Voice-Over Performance - Maya Rudolph "Big Mouth"

Best Game Show Host - Ken Jennings "Jeopardy!"

Best Narrator - Sir David Attenborough "Planet Earth: Asia"

Best Picture Editing For A Drama Series - The White Lotus

Best Picture Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story

Best Picture Editing For A Multi-Camera Comedy Series - Mid-Century Modern

Best Picture Editing For A Nonfiction Program - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Best Picture Editing For A Single Camera Comedy Series - The Studio

Best Picture Editing For A Structured Reality Or Competition Program - The Traitors

Best Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program - Welcome to Wrexham

Best Picture Editing For Variety Programming - Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize For American Humor

Best Picture Editing For Variety Programming (Segment) - SNL50: The Anniversary Special - Physical Comedy

Best Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) - The Bear

Best Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) - The Pitt

Best Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special - The Penguin

Best Sound Editing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program - 100 Foot Wave

Best Sound Editing For An Animated Program - Arcane

Best Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation - The Bear

Best Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) - The Last of Us

Best Sound Mixing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - The Penguin

Best Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Program - Beatles '64

Best Sound Mixing For A Reality Program - Welcome to Wrexham

Best Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special - SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Best Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie - The Last of Us

Best Special Visual Effects In A Single Episode - The Penguin

Best Stunt Coordination For Comedy Programming - Poker Face

Best Stunt Coordination For Drama Programming - The Penguin

Best Stunt Performance - The Penguin

2025 Emmy Predictions: Best Variety Talk Series, Variety Scripted Series, Variety Special Live, Variety Special Pre-Recorded

Best Variety Talk Series

Will Win - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Could Win - The Daily Show

Should Win - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Commentary - After its sudden cancellation, I have a feeling that Emmy voters are going to make sure that Colbert gets a special farewell, over last year's winner The Daily Show.

Best Variety Scripted Series

Will Win - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Could Win - Saturday Night Live
Should Win - A newly combined category

Commentary - If the Television Academy doesn't fix this issue, these categories are going to get more ridiculous. I don't bet against John Oliver, especially with a weak SNL season.

Best Variety Special Live

Will Win - SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Could Win - Super Bowl Halftime Show or Beyonce Bowl

Should Win - The Oscars

Commentary - SNL 50 should be a shoo-in, although the spectacular of Kendrick Lamar or Beyonce could win out. On a personal note, this was one of the best Oscars in years, so it would be cool to see it rewarded.

Best Variety Special Pre-Recorded

Will Win - Conan O'Brien: Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize

Could Win - Ali Wong: Single Lady or Your Friend, Nate Bargatze 

Should Win - Conan O'Brien: Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize

Commentary - Five comedy standup routines will probably pit against each other, so I expect the fantastic Mark Twain Prize production to win out. If those votes don't cancel, look out for Ali Wong nd Nate Bargatze. 

The Oscar Narrative: First 2026 Nomination Predictions - Best Picture

First 2026 Nomination Predictions

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Bugonia

Hamnet

Jay Kelly

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Wicked: For Good

Other Contenders - Rental Family, It Was Just an Accident, The Lost Bus, A House of Dynamite, Frankenstein, The Smashing Machine, After the Hunt, F1: The Movie, Is This Thing On?, The Ballad of the Small Player, The Secret Agent, Nouvelle Vague, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, No Other Choice, Anemone, A Bold Beautiful Journey, The History of Sound, The Life of Chuck, Highest 2 Lowest, Ella McCay, The Phoenician Scheme, Weapons, 28 Years Later, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Black Bag, Bring Her Back, Eephus, Friendship, Materialists, Meeting with Pol Pot, Mickey 17, A Nice Indian Boy, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, One of Them Days, Sacramento, Sorry, Baby, Thunderbolts*, Warfare, The Wedding Banquet

Commentary - A great race is shaping up, and tomorrow the Venice Film Festival starts! Within a few weeks, the race will really start to shape up. I am sticking with the franchises of Wicked and Avatar, although the diminishing returns for Avatar may finally knock it out of the competition. A bunch of big hitters are returning to the race including Noah Baumbach with Jay Kelly, Yorgos Lanthimos with Bugonia, Chloe Zhao with Hamnet, Paul Thomas Anderson with One Battle After Another, and if it can hold, Ryan Coogler with Sinners. Joachim Trier is hoping to build on his previous successes with Sentimental Value, which was a hit out of Cannes. A biopic is always in the mix, and Scott Cooper's Springsteen film might continue the streak. Finally, I put in Marty Supreme, because the buzz is getting really loud ahead of its festival premieres. Beyond that, Rental Family is getting a ton of buzz. A bunch of past Oscar success stories return like Guillermo Del Toro with Frankenstein, Paul Greengrass with The Lost Bus, Kathryn Bigelow with A House of Dynamite, and Bradley Cooper with Is This Thing On? The Smashing Machine could pit the Safdie Brothers against each other, Luca Guadagnino could return for After the Hunt, Knives Out could get in on its third try, and F1 could be the latest blockbuster to breakthrough. Also thinking about A Bold Beautiful Journey, Nouvelle Vague, The History of Sound, The Life of Chuck, The Phoenician Scheme, Mickey 17, Materialists, and a plethora of other great projects. 

The Oscar Narrative: First 2026 Nomination Predictions - Best Director

First 2026 Nomination Predictions

Yorgos Lanthimos "Bugonia"

Chloe Zhao "Hamnet"

Paul Thomas Anderson "One Battle After Another"

Joachim Trier "Sentimental Value"

Ryan Coogler "Sinners"

Other Contenders - Noah Baumbach "Jay Kelly", Hikari "Rental Family", Luca Guadagino "After the Hunt", Bradley Cooper "Is This Thing On?", Benny Safdie "The Smashing Machine", Josh Safdie "Marty Supreme", James Cameron "Avatar: Fire and Ash", Kathryn Bigelow "A House of Dynamite", Scott Cooper "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere", Jafar Panahi "It Was Just an Accident", Guillermo Del Toro "Frankenstein", Edward Berger "Ballad of the Small Player", Jon M. Chu "Wicked: For Good", Kleber Mendonça Filho "The Secret Agent", Joseph Kosinski "F1: The Movie", Richard Linklater "Nouvelle Vague", Richard Linklater "Blue Moon", Paul Greengrass "The Lost Bus", Mona Fastvold "Ann Lee", Lynne Ramsay "Die My Love", James L. Brooks "Ella McCay" Taika Waititi "Klara and the Sun", Ronan Day-Lewis "Anemone", Danny Boyle "28 Years Later", James Griffiths "The Ballad of Wallis Island", Steven Soderberg "Black Bag", Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou "Bring Her Back", Carson Lund "Eephus", Andrew DeYoung "Friendship", Mike Flanagan "The Life of Chuck", Celine Song "Materialists", Rithy Panh "Meeting with Pol Pot", Bong Joon Ho "Mickey 17", Roshan Sethi "A Nice Indian Boy", Rungano Nyoni "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl", Lawrence Lamont "One of Them Days", Wes Anderson "The Phoenician Scheme", Eva Victor "Sorry, Baby", Jake Schreier "Thunderbolts*", Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza "Warfare", Andrew Ahn "The Wedding Banquet"

Commentary - Whew, this one is going to be a doozy. We know that Sentimental Value is going to do well, and Trier fits with the kind of director that voters love. I think that Sinners is clever and bold enough to also entice this unique group, and earn Ryan Coogler his first, well overdue, Oscar nod for directing. Paul Thomas Anderson's latest looks like it could get him back in the lineup, as could Yorgos Lanthimos' latest Bugonia. Chloe Zhao, a winner previously, hopes to also get back in the race with her intriguing Hamnet. But this is one that is set to change a lot. You have Noah Baumbach right there, but he missed for Marriage Story, his most successful Oscar film to date. Hikari could have a breakthrough for Rental Family and Jafar Panahi won the Palme D'or this year. The Safdie Brothers are hoping to really breakthrough, as its the long overdue Scott Cooper and Bradley Cooper (no relation, I think). You have titans like James Cameron returning with Avatar, and Kathrn Bigelow with a new thriller epic. You have Edward Berger returning, a year after being snubbed again for this award. Don't for Kosinski and Chu, who could ride their populist projects to nods. There are plenty of previous nominees and winners like Linklater, Greengrass, Soderberg, Boyle, Brooks, Joon Ho, Waititi, Anderson, and Guillermo Del Toro in a particularly stylish return. Newcomers, outsiders, and overdue vets like Lynne Ramsay, Mona Fastvold, Ronan Day-Lewis, The Philippous, Carson Lund, Celine Song and Alex Garland (Nominated, but not for directing), Andrew Ahn, Roshan Sethi, Jake Schrerier,  Eva Victor, Lawrence Lamont,  Rithy Panh, Mike Flanagan, James Griffiths, and Andrew DeYoung keep the race fascinating. 

2025 Emmy Predictions: Best Directing and Writing in a Variety Series and Variety Special

Best Directing in a Variety Series

Will Win - The Late Show to Stephen Colbert

Could Win - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Should Win - The Late Show to Stephen Colbert

Commentary - With the surprising exclusion of SNL, this race is a bit more wide open. In any other year, I would lean towards Last Week Tonight, because it always does well in technical categories. But I think that the sudden cancellation of The Late Show will propel it to at least a few Emmy victories. 

Best Writing in a Variety Series

Will Win - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Could Win - The Daily Show

Should Win - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Commentary - Duh. 

Best Directing in a Variety Special

Will Win - Beth McCarthy-Miller "SNL50: Homecoming Concert"

Could Win - Liz Patrick "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" or Hamish Hamilton "SNL50: The Anniversary Special"

Should Win - Beth McCarthy-Miller "SNL50: Homecoming Concert"

Commentary - Can Beth McCarthy-Miller finally win an Emmy? I really hope so, but this is a three-way race. Liz Patrick, a multiple previous winner, could win for the big Anniversary Special. Or, both the SNL folks could cancel each other out, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show prevails again.

Best Writing in a Variety Special

Will Win - SNL50: The Anniversary Special

Could Win - Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize For American Humor or Nate Bargatze "Your Friend, Nate Bargatze"

Should Win - Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize For American Humor

Commentary - I loved the Conan O'Brien tribute, but I think the 50th SNL Celebrations are going to do very well. If voters are looking for an alternative, watch out for Nate Bargatze. 

The Oscar Narrative: First 2026 Nomination Predictions - Best Actor

First 2026 Nomination Predictions

Timothee Chalamet "Marty Supreme"

George Clooney "Jay Kelly"

Michael B. Jordan "Sinners"

Leonardo DiCaprio "One Battle After Another"

Jeremy Allen White "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere"

Other Contenders - Brendan Fraser "Rental Family", Wagner Moura "The Secret Agent", Dwayne Johnson "The Smashing Machine", Jesse Plemons "Bugonia", Daniel Day-Lewis "Anemone", Colin Farrell "The Ballad of the Small Player", Colin Farrell "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey", Oscar Isaac "Frankenstein", Ethan Hawke "Blue Moon", Denzel Washington "Highest 2 Lowest", Will Arnett "Is This Thing On?", Lee Byung-hun "No Other Choice", Matthew McConaughey "The Lost Bus", Dylan O'Brien "Twinless", Tonatiuh "The Kiss of the Spider Woman", Joel Edgerton "Train Dreams", Benicio Del Toro "The Phoenician Scheme", Ralph Fiennes "The Choral", Rami Malek "Nuremberg", Willem Dafoe "Late Flame", Idris Elba "A House of Dynamite", Paul Mescal "The History of Sound", Josh O'Connor "The Mastermind", Channing Tatum "Roofman", Robert Pattinson "The Drama", Michael Angarano "Sacramento", Michael Cera "Sacramento", Chris Evans "Materalists", Michael Fassbender "Black Bag", Han Gi-Chan "The Wedding Banquet", Tom Hiddleston "The Life of Chuck", Tim Key "The Ballad of Wallis Island", Robert Pattinson "Mickey 17", Brad Pitt "F1", Tim Robinson "Friendship", Karan Soni "A Nice Indian Boy", Aaron Taylor-Johnson "28 Years Later", Alfie Williams "28 Years Later", Bowen Yang "The Wedding Banquet"

Commentary - After losing the close race to Adrien Brody last year, will voters turn around and reward Timothee Chalamet? Marty Supreme does look like a great project. George Clooney has never won Best Actor, and he is playing a role fit for him in Jay Kelly. Michael B. Jordan, who has never managed an Oscar nomination, has a great role in Sinners, if it can maintain the momentum. Leonardo DiCaprio was shunned at the last minute for Killers of the Flower Moon, but returns with director Paul Thomas Anderson, which seems like a potent combo. Finally, after his awards success with The Bear, Jeremy Allen White has an intriguing role as Bruce Springsteen in the upcoming biopic. Beyond those five, Brendan Fraser has another intriguing role in Rental Family, Wagner Moura and Dwayne Johnson might have their Oscar breakthrough rules, and Jesse Plemons has a buzzed role in Yorgos Lanthimo's latest. A ton of other previous nominees and winners are hoping to return including Daniel Day-Lewis, Ethan Hawke, Denzel Washington, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe, Paul Mescal, Benicio Del Toro, Rami Malek, Michael Fassbender, and Brad Pitt. A bunch of great veterans are hoping to finally get their due including Oscar Isaac, Lee Byung-hun, Colin Farrell, Will Arnett, Dylan O'Brien, Idris Elba, Josh O'Connor, Channing Tatum, Robert Pattinson, Michael Angarano, Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Tim Key, Tim Robinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hiddleston, and Bowen Yang. Finally, don't discount new names and new faces like Han Gi-Chan, Karan Soni, Alfie Williams, and Tonatiuh. 

The Oscar Narrative: First 2026 Nomination Predictions - Best Actress

First 2026 Nomination Predictions

Jessie Buckley "Hamnet"

Cynthia Erivo "Wicked: For Good" 

Jennifer Lawrence "Die, My Love"

Renate Reinsve "Sentimental Value"

Julia Roberts "After the Hunt"

Other Contenders - Rose Byrne "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You", Amanda Seyfried "Ann Lee", Amy Adams "At the Sea", Tessa Thompson "Hedda", Anne Hathaway "Mother Mary", June Squibb "Eleanor the Great", Jodie Foster "Vie Privee", Helen Mirren "Switzerland", Emma Mackey "Ella McKay", Jessica Lange "A Long Day's Journey Into Night", Rebecca Ferguson "A House of Dynamite", Zoey Deutch "Nouvelle", Kate Hudson "Song Sung Blue", Cate Blanchett "Father, Mother, Sister, Brother", Nadia Melliti "The Little Sister", Margot Robbie "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey", Zendaya "The Drama", Cate Blanchett "Black Bag", Susan Chardy "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl", Kathleen Chalfant "Familiar Touch", Daisy Edgar-Jones "On Swift Horses", Lily Gladstone "The Wedding Banquet", Sally Hawkins "Bring Her Back", Dakota Johnson "Materalists", Lucy Liu "Presence", Keke Palmer "One of Them Days", Florence Pugh "Thunderbolts*", SZA "One of Them Days", Sophie Thatcher "Companion", Mia Threapleton "The Phoenician Scheme", Eva Victor "Sorry, Baby", Kelly Marie Tran "The Wedding Banquet"

Commentary - An interesting race that seems to be filled with a lot of big names and previous winners and nominees. We know that Sentimental Value is coming in strong, and Renate Reinsve is set to get her first nomination. Cynthia Erivo's journey as Elphaba is about to give her even more great material (although that final shot of Defying Gravity is hard to beat), and I expect her to make the cut again. Hamnet is an interesting one. I love Chloe Zhao, and I'm happy she is back after her not-so-successful foray into the Marvel world. But the story seems...not her type. But, I have faith she can nail it, and it can return Jessie Buckley to the Oscar race. Lynne Ramsay's latest Die, My Love, got pretty good reviews, particularly for the ever-popular Jennifer Lawrence. Finally, I am hearing a lot of positive buzz for Luca Guadgnino's After the Hunt, which could give Julia Roberts another chance at a second Oscar. Beyond those five, the great Rose Byrne has a baity role, so does the great Tessa Thompson. There are also a ton of great previous nominees and winners including Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, June Squibb, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Lange, Jodie Foster, Kate Hudson, Cate Blanchett, Margot Robbie, Lily Gladstone, Sally Hawkins, and Florence Pugh. Veterans like Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Keke Palmer hope to finally breakthrough, and newcomers like Susan Chardy, Nadai Melliti, Emma Mackey, Eva Victor, Kelly Marie Tran, Mia Threapleton, and SZA (to acting), are hoping voters recognize them. 

The Oscar Narrative: First 2026 Nomination Predictions - Best Supporting Actor

First 2026 Nomination Predictions

Miles Caton "Sinners"

Andrew Garfield "After the Hunt"

Paul Mescal "Hamnet"

Adam Sandler "Jay Kelly"

Stellan Skarsgaard "Sentimental Value"

Other Contenders - Jeremy Strong "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere", Stephen Graham "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere", Delroy Lindo "Sinners", Jack O'Connell "Sinners", Sean Penn "One Battle After Another", Benico Del Toro "One Battle After Another", Takehiro Hira "Rental Family", Andrew Scott "Blue Moon", Josh O'Connor "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery", Josh O'Connor "The History of Sound", Jonathan Bailey "Wicked: For Good", Jacob Elrodi "Frankenstein", Stavros Halkias "Bugonia", William H. Macy "Train Dreams", Mark Hamill "The Life of Chuck", Michael Shannon "Nuremberg", Russell Crowe "Nuremberg", Lewis Pullman "Ann Lee", Adam Driver "Father, Mother, Sister, Brother", Jeffrey Wright "Highest 2 Lowest", A$AP Rocky "Highest 2 Lowest", Christopher Abbott "Ann Lee", Conan O’Brien "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You", Christoph Waltz "Frakenstein", Javier Bardem "F1", Tom Basden "The Ballad of Wallis Island", Diego Calva "On Swift Horses", Michael Cera "The Phoenician Scheme", Pierce Brosnan "Black Bag", Jonathan Groff "A Nice Indian Boy", David Harbour "Thunderbolts*", Lucas Hedges "Sorry, Baby", Pedro Pascal "Materialists", Harish Patel "A Nice Indian Boy", Paul Rudd "Friendship", Lewis Pullman "Thunderbolts*", Katt Williams "One of Them Days", Steven Yeun "Mickey 17"

Commentary - A great mix of newcomers, veterans, and previous nominees/winners makes for an interesting race. Early on, we already know that Miles Caton could be a force of nature if Sinners remains strong on the circuit (also watch out for his co-stars Delroy Lindo and Jack O'Connell"). I am hearing great buzz about After the Hunt, and Andrew Garfield is a previous nominee. Paul Mescal has already received one nod, and is one of the most sought after actors working today. He pairs up with Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao in Hamnet. Joachim Trier's return is set to be fantastic, and Stellan Skarsgaard might finally get a well overdue Oscar nomination. Same can be said for Adam Sandler, who may finally get recognition for Noah Baumbach's latest Jay Kelly. Right on the cusp are previous winners Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn for Paul Thomas Anderon's latest One Battle After Another. I also would watch out for Jeremy Strong and Stephen Graham in the upcoming Springsteen biopic. Beyond those there are a ton of previous nominees and winners with strong roles including William H. Macy, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Adam Driver, Jeffrey Wright, Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz, Lucas Hedges and Steven Yeun. Great veterans looking for some overdue recognition include Jonathan Bailey, Andrew Scott, Josh O'Connor, Pierce Brosnan, Mark Hamill, Conan O'Brien, Christopher Abbott, David Harbour, Pedro Pascal, Jonathan Groff, Michael Cera, Tom Basden Paul Rudd, Katt Williams, and Lewis Pullman. Finally be on the lookout for new names and faces, and first timers like Stavros Halkias, Takehiro Hira, Jacob Elrodi, ASAP Rocky, and Harish Patel. 

2025 Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA) Television Award Winners

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a One Hour Contemporary Series

SEVERANCE S2, Set Decoration by David Schlesinger SDSA with Production Design by Jeremy Hindle

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a One Hour Fantasy or Science Fiction Series

THE LAST OF US S2, Set Decoration by Jonathan Lancaster SDSA and Lisa Lancaster SDSA

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a One Hour Period Series

1923, Set Decoration by Carla Curry SDSA with Production Design by Cary White & Lisa Ward

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Television Movie or Limited Series

LADY IN THE LAKE, Set Decoration by Karuna Karmarkar SDSA with Production Design by JC Molina

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Half-Hour Single Camera Series

THE STUDIO, Set Decoration by Claire Kaufman SDSA with Production Design by Julie Berghoff

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Half-Hour Multi-Camera Series

MID-CENTURY MODERN, Set Decoration by Peter Gurski SDSA with Production Design by Greg J. Grande

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Short Format: Web Series, Music Video, or Commercial

SABRINA CARPENTER: TASTE, Set Decoration by Kelsey Fowler SDSA with Production Design by Grant Armstrong

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Variety, Reality, or Competition Series

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Set Decoration by Kimberly Kachougian, Danielle Webb, Sara Parks, Kimberly Fischer, Jessica Templin-King with Production Design by Andrea Purcigliotti, Kenneth MacLeod & Mark Newell

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach SDSA, Justine Mercado SDSA, Maria Dirolf & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

5th Annual Critics Choice Super Award Winners

BEST ACTION MOVIE

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE

Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE

June Squibb – Thelma

BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE*

Deadpool & Wolverine

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE*

Hugh Jackman – Deadpool & Wolverine

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE*

Florence Pugh – Thunderbolts*

BEST HORROR MOVIE

Sinners

BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR MOVIE

Michael B. Jordan – Sinners

BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR MOVIE

Demi Moore – The Substance

BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE

Dune: Part Two

BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE

Timothée Chalamet – Dune: Part Two

BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE

Sophie Thatcher – Companion

BEST VILLAIN IN A MOVIE

Hugh Grant – Heretic

BEST ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Shōgun

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Anna Sawai – Shōgun

BEST SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*

The Penguin

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*

Colin Farrell – The Penguin

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPERHERO SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE*

Cristin Milioti – The Penguin

BEST HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

The Last of Us

BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us

BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Jodie Foster – True Detective: Night Country

BEST SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Andor

BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Diego Luna – Andor

BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Britt Lower – Severance

BEST VILLAIN IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

Colin Farrell – The Penguin