2018 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actress in a Drama Series

2018 Nomination Predictions
Emilia Clarke "Game of Thrones"
Claire Foy "The Crown"
Mandy Moore "This is Us"
Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"
Keri Russell "The Americans"
Evan Rachel Wood "Westworld"

Other Contenders - Sandra Oh "Killing Eve", Jodi Comer "Killing Eve", Laura Linney "Ozark", Viola Davis "How to Get Away with Murder", Claire Danes "Homeland", Taraji P. Henson "Empire", Tatiana Maslany "Orphan Black", Maggie Gyllenhaal "The Deuce", Christine Baranski "The Good Fight", Winona Ryder "Stranger Things 2"

Commentary - So this is a race that will test the strength of Killing Eve. After leading the TCA Awards, there is a lot of heat on this new BBC show, and both of its stars, particularly previous nominee Sandra Oh, are right on the cusp of breaking through. I am not predicting them, because this show premiered a little late in the game, but it is building its buzz for a big Emmy breakthrough. If not this year, watch out next year. I think four slots feel safe. Foy, Moss, Wood and Russell should all easily return to the race this year. Viola Davis keeps getting in, and she is an Emmy winner and always fantastic. But I think the competition this year is too tough, and we know Wright will not be eligible till next year. That frees up two slots. This is Us continues to be a juggernaut, and Mandy Moore had a fantastic year full of Emmy-worthy episodes. I think she joins her co-stars. I also think the return of Emilia Clarke will be too much to pass up for Game of Thrones fans. Her jump to lead was a brave one, and it could end her streak of Emmy nods. But we have underestimated her Emmy prospects too many times in the past, and she had a barn-burner of a season. I think Khaleesi rides her dragons to other Emmy nod. I would also look out for Emmy favorite Laura Linney, previous winners Danes, Baranski, and Maslandy, previous nominees Ryder, Henson, and Gyllenhaal.