Emmy Predictions: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, July 12th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Viola Davis, Claire Foy, Elisabeth Moss, Keri Russell, Evan Rachel Wood, Robin Wright

The competition: Just one of these nominees is guaranteed not to be in the running this year, and that’s Robin Wright, who, despite anchoring the final season of her show after the firing of costar Kevin Spacey, isn’t eligible since it hasn’t yet premiered. This is the last chance for Claire Foy (The Crown) to be nominated since another actress will be taking over the role next year, and she may even win as a result. Keri Russell (The Americans) is in contention for what would be her third consecutive and final possible nomination for her show, which ended earlier this year. After a win two years ago, Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) is looking for a third nomination, the lone broadcast network representative whose show is hardly as beloved by Emmy voters, aside from her performance, as most others honored in this category. Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) seems like a good bet to return given her enhanced role in season two, and the same goes for last year’s winner, Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale). The likeliest to join this race is Mandy Moore (This Is Us), who was left out last year but has a knockout of a showcase in her show’s Superbowl episode. Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) previously earned three nominations in the supporting category, and a promotion to the lead race may net her a spot here. Winona Ryder (Stranger Things), who missed out in the supporting category last year, might benefit from her own promotion to receive a nomination this year. Laura Linney (Ozark) earned a SAG bid and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Deuce) picked up a Golden Globe nomination, both for freshman series, and so they might show up here. Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) is a possibility, though I’d actually give her costar Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) the edge, though I think the show is too weird for voters. Claire Danes (Homeland) missed out for the first time last year after two wins and five nominations and could be back. I’m rooting most for Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), who won the last time her show was eligible on her second nomination two years ago and contends this year for the final season of her show.

The predicted nominees: Clarke, Foy, Moore, Moss, Russell, Wood

The predicted winner: It could be Moss again, but I think Foy will take it for her last hurrah for this role.

Next up: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series