Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Directing for a Drama Series

Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by show. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

Benjamin Caron, The Crown (Aberfan)
Jessica Hobbs, The Crown (Cri de Coeur)
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland (Prisoners of War)
Mimi Leder, The Morning Show (The Interview)
Alik Sakharov, Ozark (Fire Pink)
Ben Semanoff, Ozark (Su Casa Es Mi Casa)
Andrij Parekh, Succession (Hunting)
Mark Mylod, Succession (This Is Not for Tears)

Both Glatter and Leder have five previous nominations in this category. Glatter, who contends for the Homeland series finale, has been nominated four times in the past for that show, most recently in 2017, and once for “Mad Men.” Leder has contended for “China Beach,” “ER” (winning in 1995), and “The West Wing.” “Ozark” won this award last year, and “The Crown” triumphed the year before that. The only freshman series in the running is “The Morning Show,” and it, along with “Homeland,” is not up for Best Drama Series. Double bids for a show aren’t a disqualifier – several series have won with multiple installments nominated.

What should win: “Aberfan” wowed me most out of all of these, but I’d be fine with “The Morning Show,” either “Ozark” episode, or the “Succession” season finale.
What will win: It’s a competitive category and I’m not sure whether to back “Aberfan” or predict that Homeland takes it. It could also very easily be “Succession.”