The countdown to the Emmy awards has officially begun, with excitement brewing over the Television Academy’s nomination announcements earlier this month. The celebration will only intensify in the days leading up to the 70th annual ceremony, taking place at L.A.’s Microsoft Theater on Sept. 17. Given the sheer volume of first-class returning series — and the few fresh additions — to the ballot this year, there’s plenty of suspense in store. Here, Variety breaks down the key races.
Limited Series
HBO won, well, big with “Big Little Lies” last year, but doesn’t have a project in the race this time. That could pave the way for FX to return to the winners’ circle with “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” which sees the most noms (18) of any series in the category. There is some close competition coming from Netflix’s “Godless” (12 noms), which has the advantage of having its star Jeff Daniels in two key acting races, keeping the title in conversation beyond this category. National Geographic’s “Genius: Picasso” (seven noms), TNT’s “The Alienist” (six noms) and Showtime’s “Patrick Melrose” (five noms) certainly put out respectable showings, and perennial Emmy favorite Benedict Cumberbatch could push the latter further onto voters’ radars. Still, it feels like it’s Ryan Murphy’s year to finally take the category with “Versace.”Limited Series/Movie Actor
Last year a newcomer broke through a pack of veteran performers, and this year the category is swaying towards making that a new tradition. Darren Criss is nominated for the first time in an acting category for his turn as serial killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” He’s up against John Legend — seeing his first nomination ever, and putting him this close to EGOT status — who embodied the titular messiah in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” Consistent Emmy favorite Benedict Cumberbatch is back on the ballot, this time for “Patrick Melrose,” and could see a surprise win, as he did back in 2014 when he triumphed over “Fargo” star Billy Bob Thornton. “Genius: Picasso’s” Antonio Banderas, “The Looming Tower’s” Jeff Daniels and Jesse Plemons from “USS Callister” round out the options. Plemons may well be the wildcard this year.
Emmys 2018: Handicapping the Top Series and Performer Races
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