Emmys 2018: Predicting the Lead Actor in a Limited Series winner

The television Super Bowl is upon us once again, as t he nominees for the 2018 Emmy Awards have finally been announced. Of course, with the announcement of the nominees come the heart-crushing snubs (no Mandy Moore again?!), the jaw-dropping surprises (Ted Danson for The Good Place… fork yes!), and the months of predictions leading up to TV’s biggest night in September. It’s time to predict who will be winning those coveted Emmys.

When it comes to the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series race, there’s a six-way embarrassment of riches. As limited series become more and more trendy, television has been drawing bigger names and better talents to lead the shows that have us binge-watching into the wee hours. This year, there’s an obvious frontrunner in The Assassination of Gianni Versace standout Darren Criss, but can he fend off the other leading men? Let’s take a closer look at the Lead Actor in a Limited Series category and place our bets on a winner.

The Contenders

Antonio Banderas in Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch in Patrick Melrose
Jeff Daniels in The Looming Tower
John Legend in Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesse Plemons in Black Mirror

The Consensus

Who should take home the award, and who will win the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series? All signs point to Darren Criss being the answer to both of those questions. Out of the six nominees, all of which are formidable talents of seasoned actors delivering impressive performances, none have been as talked about as that of Criss. His fearless and revelatory turn as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story earned the Glee veteran new respect from the mainstream. As a killer rather than a happy-go-lucky high school dreamer, Criss was haunting, and the role couldn’t have been tackled by any other actor.

CityBeat TV critic Jac Kern Gives Her Emmy Nomination Breakdown

LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

First off, I realize the Emmys are already packed with categories. I mean, if you’ve made it this far down, dear reader, bless your soul, because this is long AF. I’m not even including reality series or technical nominees! But this category is in need of a revamp. With the increase in quality miniseries (especially “limited series” that actually get unlimited seasons — lookin’ at you, Ryan Murphy), it feels like there is too much to pack in here. And how does Black Mirror qualify as a movie yet again? I’d suggest separating comedies and dramas, but there’s not much funny fare this year. Just something for the Emmy gods to mull over!

Outstanding Limited Series

Genius: Picasso

The Alienist

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Godless

Patrick Melrose

I admittedly talk a lot of smack on Ryan Murphy because he dominates TV and, despite being pretty brilliant, can deliver some real shit shows (American Horror Story: Cult) and everyone still kisses his ass for it. But Versace was divine. Arguably better than the O.J. season of ACS.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso

Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose

Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower

John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert

Jesse Plemons, USS Callister (Black Mirror)

Criss gave a performance of a lifetime. I haven’t seen Patrick Melrose yet but Cumberbatch is supposed to be amazing in it. Gotta go with Plemons, though! He played a character that you felt for, then despised, and then liked again.

CityBeat TV critic Jac Kern Gives Her Emmy Nomination Breakdown

10 Best TV Shows Of 2018 (So Far)

9. The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

The strength of The People v O.J. Simpson (alongside its great cast and direction) was the way it gradually unfolded its titular case, adding new pieces each week until it all came together.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace could have followed that model, which may have guaranteed it some more hype from expectant American Crime Story fans, but instead it did the exact opposite: starting with the ‘main’ event, and then going backwards in time to show how and why it happened.

This isn’t so much a story about a murder case as it is about making a murderer, with the Ryan Murphy series shining a light on the societal and cultural issues that ultimately led Andrew Cunanan (played by an Emmy-deserving Darren Criss) killing Versace and a number of others on his murder spree.

It delves into Cunanan’s psyche, with Criss giving a performance that manages to be both unhinged and yet tragically human, and explores homophobia and what it means to be gay in America during the 90s. Uncompromising, fascinating, and with some stunning direction, this is a very different show to O.J., and might not have the same broad appeal, but is equally as deserving of your time.

10 Best TV Shows Of 2018 (So Far)

Darren Criss earns lead actor Emmy nod for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss’ heartbreaking, gut-wrenching performance as Filipino serial killer Andrew Cunanan has earned him a well-deserved Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

FX’s true crime dramatization, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”, led the limited series category with 18 nominations. It will be competing against “The Alienist”, “Genius: Picasso”, “Godless”, and “Patrick Melrose” for Outstanding Limited Series.

This is Criss’ first Emmy nomination for acting. He will be up against Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”), Jeff Daniels (“The Looming Tower”), John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), and Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister).

Criss fleshed out in the small screen the troubled mind of Cunanan, who went on a horrific murder spree that ended with the death of legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Cunanan killed at least five people before taking his own life to evade arrest.

Darren Criss earns lead actor Emmy nod for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’

Sandra Oh: ‘It’s profoundly frustrating’

While change has been slow, at least there has been some momentum. In the years since 2000, there are at least some actors of Asian descent in lead roles on American TV, even if you can count them with your fingers. And that may even be more about the sheer volume of TV, rather than replacing caucasian actors.

There’s Lucy Liu on Elementary, there was Daniel Dae Kim on Hawaii Five-O, who quit after producers refused to pay him the same as his white co-star, Priyanka Chopra on the cancelled Quantico, Maggie Q on the cancelled Designated Survivor, Ken Jeong on the cancelled Dr Ken, Mindy Kaling on now-ended The Mindy Project, Darren Criss (whose mother is Filipino) on Assassination Of Gianni Versace and there is the cast of Fresh Off The Boat, led by the phenomenally funny Constance Wu and Randall Park.

Sandra Oh: ‘It’s profoundly frustrating’

Emmys: Who Will Win, Who Should Win, and Who Got Snubbed

OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

The Alienist
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Godless
Patrick Melrose

What should win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (or, really, Twin Peaks: The Return)
What will win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is easily the most high-profile show among these nominees, and almost certainly the winner as well. It’s a well-deserving choice, even if it’s frustrating that this category is lacking in stiff competition. The biggest snub here is definitely Twin Peaks: The Return, which might have proved just a little too out-there for Emmy voters. Still, it’s bizarre to see that high-profile series ignored over less-discussed shows like Godless, The Alienist, Patrick Melrose, and Genius: Picasso. But we’ll try not to hold that against Versace when it takes home the award.

If we voted: An even bigger mystery than “who drew the dicks?” is “why did American Vandal get so little love from Emmy voters?” We would’ve loved to see that wonderfully original series nominated along with The Terror, Alias Grace, and of course, Twin Peaks: The Return. —Caroline Siede

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
Jesse Plemons, “USS Callister” (Black Mirror)

What should win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
What will win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

It can be hard to be the runaway favorite in a category. Darren Criss’ inevitable win feels a little unexciting at this point, even though he’s more than deserving of the award. He delivered a truly captivating performance as serial killer Andrew Cunanan, flipping from charming to terrifying at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a bag of concrete). But the biggest story here is a snub: Where’s Kyle MacLachlan?!? MacLachlan’s multi-faceted performance on Twin Peaks: The Return definitely deserved some love from Emmy voters. On the other hand, we’re thrilled to see John Legend recognized for his soulful turn as Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert. Long live the live musical, and long live Agent Dale Cooper!

If we voted: In addition to MacLachlan, we would’ve loved to see a little more love for the Paramount Network’s Waco. Both Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon gave great performances in the little-seen miniseries about the Waco siege against David Koresh and his Branch Davidians. —Caroline Siede

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Penelope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
Merritt Weaver, Godless
Letitia Wright, Black Museum (Black Mirror)

Who should win: Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Who will win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

This category is an embarrassment of riches, and depending on how potential sweeps start shaping up, it could go many ways. Given the Emmys’ past love for American Crime Story, and Penélope Cruz’s strong performance as Donatella Versace, she’s likely to walk away with the award. A more interesting choice would be Judith Light, for the less flashy but equally compelling role of Marilyn Miglin. Light is gripping as Miglin, and the intensity of her performance helps pivot the series from its glitzier early episodes to its increasingly darker, more devastating later run.

If we voted: It boggles the mind that industry darling and Emmy fave Laura Dern wasn’t nominated for her work as Diane on Twin Peaks: The Return. Julia Ormond and Rebecca Liddiard were also great this year in Howards End and Alias Grace, respectively, but come on, guys. Laura Dern! —Kate Kulzick

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Jeff Daniels, Godless
Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
John Leguizamo, Waco
Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Who should win: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Who will win: Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

I mean, did you even see JCS Live? Brandon Victor Dixon’s Judas blew John Legend out of the water with every sequined tank top, black leather vest, and wailing high note he could muster. He’s already a Tony-caliber performer, so it’s thrilling to see his considerable talents translated to the small screen in equally exuberant ways. Still, we think Edgar Ramirez’s small but mighty turn as Gianni Versace in American Crime Story (and his higher profile as an actor) might win out in the end.

If we voted: Since we’re committed to our heartfelt stan for Twin Peaks: The Return, we’d like to remind you that the late, great Harry Dean Stanton was in it, and he sang a lovely blues song, and that should make you very happy. —Clint Worthington

Emmys: Who Will Win, Who Should Win, and Who Got Snubbed

Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race

Best Limited Series

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Godless (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
The Alienist (TNT)

Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose) — podcast
Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower) — podcast
Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister) — podcast

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

Jeff Daniels (Godless) — podcast
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Leguizamo (Waco)

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie

PROJECTED NOMINEES

Merritt Wever (Godless)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult)
Letitia Wright (Black Mirror: Black Museum)

Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race

Edgar Ramirez on his Emmy nod for portraying ‘one of the most fascinating characters ever,’ Gianni Versace

Playing the iconic, ill-fated fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was slain by a serial killer in 1997, was a “profound, transformative life experience,” says Edgar Ramirez. But it was the themes of prejudice and homophobia in FX’s “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” that really resonated for the Venezuelan-born actor, who on Thursday earned a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his work.

Where are we catching you?

I’m in Atlanta. I’m shooting a movie here. It’s hot. We’re one week away from shooting and in rehearsals right now. This was just such a surprise, honestly. I was trying not to think too much about it in the days leading up to it, because you never know. You can’t obsess about these things, but when they happen, you celebrate the fact that the show got so much beautiful recognition. I’m very, very happy.

Why was playing Versace such a profound experience, as you’ve called it?

It not only allowed me to portray one of the most fascinating characters ever, but it also allowed me to meet some of the most important people in my life now. People who are now family, and that is beautiful. It was also one of those roles, those characters, that brings so much to you. What I love is the complexity of the show, the different layers that the show has. And that’s something that doesn’t happen every day.

The undercurrent of the series is really about homophobia. How does that idea intersect with the search for Andrew Cunanan, the serial killer who murdered Versace?

We have to remember that America in the late ’90s was all about “Don’t ask, don’t tell” — Bill Clinton’s solution to the gay issue. And when you look at the story of this serial killer, the search to find him, the effort to understand what he was up to and what he might do next, what comes up over and over again is this denial of sexuality. And the almost refusal to acknowledge that there was a gay world out there. It played against the efforts to find this guy.

How relevant is the show, those social dynamics, today — is homophobia something you worry about, given the increasingly conservative Supreme Court?

Of course, of course. Clearly. Any type of discrimination or overlooking the rights of any individual, any citizen, is very worrisome. And that’s what makes this show so relevant — it was 20 years ago, and yet we see signs of new forms of discrimination, a political climate where discriminating is becoming a normalized thing. And that is something that is very worrisome. And it’s something that’s very global, it’s all over the world. This show is a good way to revisit history, to see how things were in order to prevent them. So that history doesn’t repeat itself.

The show addresses different forms of homophobia, which isn’t always this open, raging sentiment, as you’ve said, but often a quieter, internalized, and in some ways an even more dangerous thing. Can you elaborate on that?

It’s a lack of knowledge. A lack of contact. That’s the internalized homophobia. It was almost a refusal that was, maybe not an angry, but was a total lack of knowledge that there was a gay culture out there. It’s not the same, today; but of course there’s a lot of work ahead of us and there’s an urgent need to protect the rights of individuals that have been [established] so far. Language is important, the rules of engagement are important, in order for us to coexist respecting and accepting each other. If we foster an environment where we’re allowed to discriminate, then words will be easily turned into action. We’ve seen that in the past. And that’s what’s worrisome.

You went through quite a transformation to play Versace — prosthetics, you gained 20 pounds. What was that like and did the physicality help you connect with, and better channel, Versace?

When I saw myself for the first time it was kind of shocking; I hadn’t really worked with prosthetics before. I was afraid it would look fake. But it was a matter of time and I got used to it. And it did help me embody the role. I do believe in physical transformation a lot. If you feel it in your body, then the character grows in — or out of — you.

Are you fashion conscious yourself?

Well, I don’t follow it to the letter, but I’m not a stranger to it. I pay attention. I have friends in the fashion industry. My style? You gotta be comfortable. I believe in classic pieces, but I also like to play around and have fun.

Edgar Ramirez on his Emmy nod for portraying ‘one of the most fascinating characters ever,’ Gianni Versace

‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace’ Stars Reflect On Emmy Nominations: TV Academy “Voted For Justice”

“How am I doing? I don’t even know how I’m doing. I’m on fire, man. What can I say?” Ricky Martin told Deadline today, after receiving his first ever Emmy nomination for Ryan Murphy’s FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Picking up their own nominations amongst the series’ 18 overall nods, Versace stars Edgar Ramírez, Darren Criss and Finn Wittrock seemed to share Martin’s sense of excited bewilderment.

Documenting the murder of the titular fashion icon (Ramírez) at the hands of spree killer Andrew Cunanan (Criss), the latest installment of Murphy’s true crime anthology series was a dream project for those involved. “It’s a difficult thing to say because obviously [Cunanan] is a very tragic figure. I’d like to think that if I was in any position to have stopped the horrible things that happened, if I was there, I would have tried to do something,” Criss explained of his thinking in portraying an infamous real-life killer. “But unfortunately I wasn’t there. So all I could do is try to bring a kind of positivity to this darkness by telling a story in a certain way, raising certain questions that we can ask 20 years later about not only him, but ourselves and our society.”

“Regardless of awards season, this is an opportunity that I have worked and waited for my entire life. Actors are really only as good as the parts they can get, and the people that believe in them, and the complexity of the characters that they’re playing,” Criss added with reference to his troubled character, who finds himself at the center of the series—more so than Versace himself. “The thing that makes Andrew interesting is not the stuff that is dark or scary or uncomfortable; it’s the breadth of colors that exists on his palette. That’s what actors really crave.”

Like Criss, Martin was happy to see some light come out of the darkness of Versace and Cunanan’s experience. “Today, I realized that my peers in The Academy voted for justice — because at the end of the day, this is what the story was about,” he said. “It’s focused on the justice that is needed [following] this horrible crime. This is the way I see it, period.”

For the actors of Versace, portraying real-life figures was a challange. “As happens every time you play a real-life person, [the challenge] is not to yield before the pressure of playing someone that a lot of people knew—especially someone like Gianni whose work was so impactful,” Ramírez said. “Playing a real-life character, it’s not about imitating. It’s not a photograph—it’s a painting.”

While Criss contemplated the psyche of a killer—attempting to manifest all of Cunanan’s complexity—Martin gave himself up to the darkness D’Amico experienced following the death of Versace. “We walked on set every day extremely vulnerable, but at the same time, we all felt protected because we were being directed by Ryan, and by an amazing group of directors,” he said. “It just felt right.”

Celebrating the success of Versace, each of the series’ stars tipped their hat to its mastermind, Ryan Murphy, discussing what makes him so unique and vital as a storyteller. “He works harder than anyone else in the business and continues to keep a group of people around him who are continually impressive. With every new project, you’re going to be challenged in a new way and surprised,” Wittrock said.

Added Criss, who also worked with Murphy on Glee, “He really gravitates towards sides of the story that we wouldn’t typically hear, or haven’t heard in the past. He finds what’s not only most accessible about those stories, but as a showrunner and a showman, he knows how to make those things attractive.”

‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace’ Stars Reflect On Emmy Nominations: TV Academy “Voted For Justice”

This is The Bad Place: Twin Peaks, Jodie Comer, and other Emmy snubs and surprises from 2018

Snub: The Terror

What is with Outstanding Limited Series this year? At least The Assassination Of Gianni Versace won’t have much difficulty making it two-for-two for the American Crime Story franchise. And it won’t have to go through the frozen-over Northwest Passage of The Terror, David Kajganich and Soo Hugh’s ends-of-the-earth horror series, to do so. The period setting, distinguished cast, and AMC pedigree had all the makings of a shoo-in—the fact that it’s one of 2018’s best shows didn’t hurt, either. And this is a category where American Horror Story was once a mainstay, so you can’t really blame it on genre bias. Whatever happened, the men of The Terror wound up stranded all over again.

This is The Bad Place: Twin Peaks, Jodie Comer, and other Emmy snubs and surprises from 2018