With television’s most prestigious awards show, The Emmys, about to honor this evening, we here at Film Dumpster feel it is only fitting that we provide the masses with what they have been begging for, our Official Inaugural Emmy Predictions. We’ll try to offer a little insight, our prediction who will win and whom we would like to see walk away with Emmy gold. Follow along without picks on Emmy night 9/22 at 8pm on FOX. We’ll post winner and our reactions.
Now, with no further ado… our picks.
Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul • AMC (SHOULD WIN)
Bodyguard • Netflix
Game Of Thrones • HBO (WILL WIN)
Killing Eve • BBC America
Ozark • Netflix
Pose • FX Networks
Succession • HBO
This Is Us • NBC
Better Call Saul is one of the best character studies to ever grace the small screen, right up there with The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Instead, it will go to the undeserving Game of Thrones that delivered a dud of a final season. It will win to reward them for the good old days. If the voters were fair and passed on rewarding poorly-written mediocrity we’d have a really interesting race with the trophy probably going to the This Is Us. If all was fair in the world it would go to a conman instead.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul • AMC (SHOULD WIN)
Kit Harington, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Jason Bateman, Ozark • Netflix
Billy Porter, Pose (WILL WIN)
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us • NBC
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us • NBC
Sometimes being consistently good at what you do is punishment in itself. Bob Odenkirk will walk away empty-handed for the fourth straight time. The talented, but less deserving Billy Porter will take the trophy for his first Emmy nomination.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Emilia Clarke, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Robin Wright, House Of Cards • Netflix
Viola Davis, How To Get Away With Murder • ABC
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve • BBC America (SHOULD WIN)
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve • BBC America (WILL WIN)
Laura Linney, Ozark • Netflix
Mandy Moore, This Is Us • NBC
The best actress from this season of Killing Eve, Jodie Comer, will walk away empty-handed. Her co-star, Sandra Oh, will take the gold. Although worthy of the praise, she was out-acted by Comer this season. As long as one of them wins, we’ll be happier – just a little happier with Miss Comer.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul • AMC
Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul • AMC
Alfie Allen, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Peter Dinklage, Game Of Thrones • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILLWIN)
Michael Kelly, House Of Cards • Netflix
Chris Sullivan, This Is Us • NBC
Although it was not the best season of the series, Dinklage delivered again. He should be leaving with his fourth trophy.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Gwendoline Christie, Game Of Thrones • HBO (WILL WIN)
Lena Headey, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Sophie Turner, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Maisie Williams, Game Of Thrones • HBO
Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve • BBC America
Julia Garner, Ozark • Netflix (SHOULD WIN)
If this was any other season it would have been Lena Headey’s trophy to lose. This season her cameo length screen time simply does not earn it. Gwendoline Christie will win because she submitted herself for the nomination, a stunt that may just pay off.
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Game Of Thrones, “The Iron Throne,” David Benioff and D.B. Weiss • HBO
Game Of Thrones, “The Last Of The Starks,” David Nutter • HBO
Game Of Thrones, “The Long Night” Miguel Sapochnik • HBO (WILL WIN)
The Handmaid’s Tale, “Holly,” Daina Reid • Hulu
Killing Eve, “Desperate Times,” Lisa Brühlmann • BBC America
Ozark, “Reparations,” Jason Bateman • Netflix
Succession, “Celebration,” Adam McKay • HBO (SHOULD WIN)
More head scratching will occur when one of the least popular episodes of a once-great show wins. Succession’s “Celebration” should win for an episode that kicked off a highly entertaining first season.
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
Better Call Saul, “Winner,” Peter Gould and Thomas Schnauz • AMC (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Bodyguard, “Episode 1,” Jed Mercurio • Netflix
Game Of Thrones, “The Iron Throne,” David Benioff and D.B. Weiss • HBO
The Handmaid’s Tale, “Holly,” Bruce Miller and Kira Snyder •
Killing Eve, “Nice And Neat,” Emerald Fennell • BBC America
Succession, “Nobody Is Ever Missing,” Jesse Armstrong • HBO
Saul will take home the trophy for one of the most shocking episodes on television this year.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Barry • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Fleabag • Prime Video
The Good Place • NBC
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Prime Video
Russian Doll • Netflix
Schitt ‘s Creek • Pop TV
Veep • HBO
What a great category. We would be happy to see the majority of these nominees wins. Since we cannot award them all, let’s give it to Barry the highly imaginative, rule-rewriting comedy or Fleabag the highly imaginative, rule-rewriting comedy or…
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Bill Hader, Barry • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Don Cheadle, Black Monday • Showtime
Anthony Anderson, black-ish • ABC
Ted Danson, The Good Place • NBC
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method • Netflix
Eugene Levy, Schitt ‘s Creek • Pop TV
Hader was that damn good.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, Dead To Me • Netflix
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag • Prime Video (SHOULD WIN)
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Prime Video
Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll • Netflix
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt ‘s Creek • Pop TV
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep • HBO (WILL WIN)
Catherine O’Hara was magic in Schitt’s Creek, but Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s performance deserves the praise it has received and the gold to go with it, but expect Julia to take it home.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan, Barry • HBO (SHOULD WIN)
Stephen Root, Barry • HBO
Henry Winkler, Barry • HBO
Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method • Netflix
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Prime Video (WILL WIN)
Tony Hale, Veep • HBO
Anthony Carrigan stole every scene he was in this season. So, of course he will win this Emmy. Ha, kidding! Shalhoub will win another because that is how the Emmys work.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Sarah Goldberg, Barry • HBO
Sian Clifford, Fleabag • Prime Video
Olivia Colman, Fleabag • Prime Video (WILL WIN)
Betty Gilpin, GLOW • Netflix (SHOULD WIN)
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Prime Video
Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Prime Video
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live • NBC
Anna Chlumsky, Veep • HBO
Colman will follow up her Oscar with an Emmy for her work in Fleabag. Seeing Betty Gilpin put the lockdown on the award would make us quite happy though.
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
Barry, “The Audition,” Alec Berg • HBO
Barry, “ronny/lily,” Bill Hader • HBO (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
The Big Bang Theory, “The Stockholm Syndrome,” Mark Cendrowski • CBS
Fleabag, “Episode 1,” Harry Bradbeer • Prime Video
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “All Alone,” Amy Sherman-Palladino • Prime Video
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “We’re Going To The Catskills!” Daniel Palladino • Prime Video
30 minutes of surreal, violent, madness. Hand over the Emmy to Mr. Hader and let the man speak.
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
Barry, “ronny/lily,” Alec Berg and Bill Hader • HBO
Fleabag, “Episode 1,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge • Prime Video (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
The Good Place, “Janet(s),” Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan • NBC
PEN15, “Anna Ishii-Peters,” Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle • Hulu
Russian Doll, “Nothing In This World Is Easy,” Leslye Headland, Natasha Lyonne and Amy Poehler • Netflix
Russian Doll, “A Warm Body,” Allison Silverman • Netflix
Veep, “Veep,” David Mandel • HBO
If Waller-Bridge does not take home the Emmy for Best Actress this may be her consultation prize and she deserves every ounce of it.
Outstanding Limited Series
Chernobyl • HBO (SHOULD WIN)
Escape At Dannemora • Showtime
Fosse/Verdon • FX Networks
Sharp Object s • HBO
When They See Us • Netflix (WILL WIN)
In another Sophie’s Choice decision we’re hoping to see Chernobyl win for its haunting recreation of a near catastrophe. When They See Us will win for the timeliness of its message. Both are very deserving.
Outstanding Television Movie
Bandersnatch (Black Mirror) • Netflix
Brexit • HBO
Deadwood • HBO (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
King Lear • Prime Video
My Dinner With Hervé • HBO
The return to Deadwood did everything it needed to do and deserves the trophy it will win for doing so.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Jared Harris, Chernobyl • HBO
Benicio del Toro, Escape At Dannemora • Showtime
Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon • FX Networks
Mahershala Ali, True Detective • HBO
Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal • Prime Video
Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us • Netflix (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
Jharrel Jerome’s heart wrenching yet inspiring performance deserves this. But, if Jared Harris wins for his work in Chernobyl, we’ll take that too.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Joey King, The Act • Hulu
Patricia Arquette, Escape At Dannemora • Showtime
Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon • FX Networks (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
Amy Adams, Sharp Objects • HBO
Aunjanue Ellis, When They See Us • Netflix
Niecy Nash, When They See Us • Netflix
Michelle Williams or Arquette will take home the Emmy tonight.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Stellan Skarsgård, Chernobyl • HBO
Paul Dano, Escape At Dannemora • Showtime
Ben Whishaw, A Very English Scandal • Prime Video (SHOULD/WILL WIN)
Asante Blackk, When They See Us • Netflix
John Leguizamo, When They See Us • Netflix
Michael K. Williams, When They See Us • Netflix
His work was a standout.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Patricia Arquette, The Act • Hulu (WILL WIN)
Emily Watson, Chernobyl • HBO (SHOULD WIN)
Margaret Qualley, Fosse/Verdon • FX Networks
Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Object s • HBO
Marsha Stephanie Blake, When They See Us • Netflix
Vera Farmiga, When They See Us • Netflix
Voter love Patricia. FTW
Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Chernobyl, Johan Renck • HBO
Escape At Dannemora, Ben Stiller • Showtime
Fosse/Verdon, “Glory,” Jessica Yu • FX Networks
Fosse/Verdon, “Who’s Got The Pain,” Thomas Kail • FX Networks
A Very English Scandal, Stephen Frears • Prime Video
When They See Us, Ava DuVernay • Netflix (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Chernobyl, Craig Mazin • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Escape At Dannemora, “Episode 6,” Brett Johnson, Michael Tolkin and Jerry Stahl • Showtime
Escape At Dannemora, “Episode 7,” Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin • Showtime
Fosse/Verdon, “Providence,”Steven Levenson and Joey Fields • FX Networks
A Very English Scandal, Russell T. Davies • Prime Video
When They See Us, “Part Four,” Ava DuVernay and Michael Starrbury • Netflix
Outstanding Variety Talk Series
The Daily Show Wit h Trevor Noah • Comedy Central
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS
Jimmy Kimmel Live! • ABC
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
The Late Late Show With James Corden • CBS
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS
Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
At Home With Amy Sedaris • truTV
Documentary Now! • IFC
Drunk History • Comedy Central
I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman • Hulu (SHOULD WIN)
Saturday Night Live • NBC (WILL WIN)
Who Is America? • Showtime
Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series
Documentary Now!, “Waiting For The Artist,” Alex Buono and Rhys Thomas • IFC
(SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Drunk History, “Are You Afraid Of The Drunk?” Derek Waters • Comedy Central
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, “Psychics,” Paul Pennolino • HBO
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, “Live Midterm Election Show,” Jim Hoskinson • CBS
Saturday Night Live, “Host : Adam Sandler,” Don Roy King • NBC
Who Is America?, “Episode 102,” Sacha Baron Cohen, Nathan Fielder, Daniel Gray Longino and Dan Mazer • Showtime
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series
Documentary Now! • IFC
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO (SHOULD WIN/WILL WIN)
Late Night With Seth Meyers • NBC
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS
Saturday Night Live • NBC
Outstanding Competition Program
The Amazing Race • CBS (SHOULD WIN)
American Ninja Warrior • NBC
RuPaul’s Drag Race • VH1 (WILL WIN)
Top Chef • Bravo
The Voice • NBC
Overall this is a tough year because of the incredible competition. Rarely do such deserving nominees face off in so many categories. If the voters do what is right and leave all the Game of Thrones wins in the technical awards then there will be room for some interesting winners. But barring a few ties every Barry/Fleabag or Chernobyl/When They See Us win will be bittersweet. We picked with our heart instead of our head for a few categories, including the biggest of the night Best Drama Series (Go Saul!), but we’re hoping so did the voters.
How do you think we did? Add your thoughts and/or picks in the comments.