Final Golden Globe Predictions

Golden Globe nominations will be announced tomorrow morning. I’ve gone through every category in detail and made my predictions, and I’m making two slight changes, both in categories related to limited series. I’ve swapped in Helen Mirren in the actress race and “Years and Years” for Best Miniseries or TV Movie since that feels like Globe voters’ cup of tea. Otherwise, I can tell it’s going to be a crowded year in a lot of categories, and whereas last year’s AFI list of top TV programs caught me by surprise by including “Pose” and “Succession,” this year’s features just one new drama series, and that’s “Watchmen,” which I don’t think I’ll make the cut. It does include the four limited series I and everyone else are predicting. I’m least confident about the drama actor race, but I’m just not sure what to pick instead. As always, I’d love to see some fantastic, creative, unexpected choices across the board. Full reactions by category beginning Monday morning, though probably not quite as early as nominations are announced given that I’m currently in Los Angeles.

No guts, no glory:
“Big Little Lies” shut out
“Undone” scores a Best Drama Series nomination
Diego Luna scores a Best Drama Actor bid for “Narcos: Mexico”

Final predictions:

Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama
Brian Cox (Succession)
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones)
Tobias Menzies (The Crown)
Billy Porter (Pose)
Jeremy Strong (Succession)

Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
Olivia Colman (The Crown)
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show)

Best Actor in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Bill Hader (Barry)
Ben Platt (The Politician)
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself)

Best Actress in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Kirsten Dunst (On Becoming a God in Central Florida)
Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)

Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Sacha Baron Cohen (The Spy)
Russell Crowe (The Loudest Voice)
Jared Harris (Chernobyl)
Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us)
Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon)

Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Kathryn Hahn (Mrs. Fletcher)
Joey King (The Act)
Helen Mirren (Catherine the Great)
Merritt Wever (Unbelievable)
Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV Series
Kieran Culkin (Succession)
Andrew Scott (Fleabag)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
s Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl)
Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a TV Series
Patricia Arquette (The Act)
Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown)
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies)
Emily Watson (Chernobyl)

Best Miniseries or Television Film
Chernobyl
Fosse/Verdon
Unbelievable
When They See Us
Years and Years

Best Drama Series
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Morning Show
Pose
Succession

Best Comedy Series
Barry
Fleabag
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Politician
Russian Doll

Golden Globe Musings: Best Comedy Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Barry
The Good Place
Kidding
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

New contenders:
Dead to Me
Living with Yourself
On Becoming a God in Central Florida
The Politician
The Righteous Gemstones
Russian Doll

Potential first-time nominees:
Fleabag
Schitt’s Creek

Returning series:
Mad About You
Veep

Only one of last year’s nominees – “Kidding” – won’t be back until 2020, and it’s actually very likely that the other four will be back with the Emmy-winning “Fleabag” taking the fifth slot. Globe voters tend to embrace new shows like “The Politician” (and maybe “Russian Doll”), which often tossing aside shows they’ve just rewarded, like “The Kominsky Method,” or ones they’ve finally noticed for the first time, like “The Good Place.” They could also totally disregard a past winner like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” The question also remains whether “Veep,” a two-time nominee here last honored in 2016, will return for a final bid, though I doubt it will.

Current predictions:
Barry
Fleabag
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Politician
Russian Doll

Golden Globe Musings: Best Drama Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
The Americans
Bodyguard
Homecoming
Killing Eve
Pose

New contenders:
The Morning Show
Euphoria
See
Watchmen

Potential first-time nominees:
Succession

Returning series:
Big Little Lies
The Crown
Game of Thrones
Stranger Things

Past nominees:
The Handmaid’s Tale
This Is Us

Three of last year’s nominees aren’t eligible, and there’s no guarantee that the two that are – “Killing Eve” and “Pose” – will be back. “The Crown” won this award for its first season and was nominated again for its second, and “Stranger Things” is also back after a year off following two consecutive bids. “Game of Thrones” has been nominated five times and is likely to return after a year off for its final season. “Big Little Lies” won in the Best Miniseries or TV Movie category in 2017 and is now eligible here for its second season. Of the new shows, “The Morning Show” seems likeliest to show up, while the second season of “Succession” may score a spot too.

Current predictions:
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Morning Show
Pose
Succession

Golden Globe Musings: Best Miniseries or Television Film

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
The Alienist
The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Escape at Dannemora
Sharp Objects
A Very English Scandal

I don’t usually write up this category ahead of time, but I have seen a handful of the contenders, or at least the first episode of some of the limited series. Last year, only two of these shows were part of series that are slated to continue, and neither has aired its most recent season just yet. Only five of the ten Emmy nominees in the corresponding categories are eligible this year, with Chernobyl, When They Sees Us, and Fosse/Verdon seeming likeliest, and Deadwood: The Movie and Brexit trailing somewhat behind them, in part due to the fact that, in the last five years, only one TV movie has been included in this race. The Act, which didn’t make the cut in the top Emmy race, might also show up here. This year’s new contenders include Unbelievable, El Camino, Catherine the Great, The Loudest Voice, Spy, Years and Years, and Modern Love.

Current predictions:
The Act
Chernobyl
Fosse/Verdon
Unbelievable
When They See Us

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a TV Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Thandie Newton (Westworld)
Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale)

New contenders:
Patricia Arquette (The Act)
Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown)
Toni Collette (Unbelievable)
Vera Farmiga (When They See Us)
Jessica Lange (The Politician)
Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies)
Emma Thompson (Years and Years)
Emily Watson (Chernobyl)

Potential first-time nominees:
Sian Clifford (Fleabag)
Olivia Colman (Fleabag)
Sarah Goldberg (Barry)
Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Past nominees:
Laura Dern (Big Little Lies)
Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Chrissy Metz (This Is Us)
Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies)
Megan Mullally (Will and Grace)

Just one of last year's nominees - Borstein - is eligible to come back, and I'm betting she'll return, even though I don't think there's quite room for the two-time Emmy winner. I'm assuming that Emmy winner Arquette and nominee Watson will make the cut, and Carter seems like a strong choice for her recent role. And Streep seems like a no-brainer, but is it irresponsible to leave out past winner Dern? Probably, but that's what I'm doing, and I'm not even including Emmy winner Garner and a whole host of others. I got 5/5 on this category last year - can I do it again this time?

Current predictions:
Patricia Arquette (The Act)
Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown)
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies)
Emily Watson (Chernobyl)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Kieran Culkin (Succession)
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

New contenders:
Steve Carell (The Morning Show)
Billy Crudup (The Morning Show)
Jeremy Irons (Watchmen)
Josh O’Connor (The Crown)
Andrew Scott (Fleabag)
Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl)
Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Michael K. Williams (When They See Us)

Potential first-time nominees:
Anthony Carrigan (Barry)
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Past nominees:
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
David Harbour (Stranger Things)
Christian Slater (Mr. Robot)
Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies)

It’s always difficult to predict this category, which feeds from so many different projects. Most are saying that Scott is a lock despite his being snubbed at the Emmy Awards, and I’d say he’s far from that even if he’s likely to show up. Shalhoub beat Arkin and Winkler, two nominees from last year, at the Emmys, so he’s probably a good bet too. Culkin might return or might not, with other costars also possible. Two past winners of this category, Slater and Skarsgard, are eligible again, as is past nominee Harbour, and Dinklage, who won in 2011 for season one of “Game of Thrones” and hasn’t been nominated since. Skarsgard and Williams seem like the strongest bets from limited series, and there are multiple contenders from “The Morning Show” and “Watchmen” who could show up. Whitford, a three-time nominee over a decade ago for “The West Wing,” could make the cut, even if voters have otherwise forgotten about his show. Most people seem to be betting everything on Scott, who was snubbed at the Emmys, and while I also think he’ll make the cut, he’s far from a sure thing.

Current predictions:
Kieran Culkin (Succession)
Andrew Scott (Fleabag)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
s Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl)
Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Amy Adams (Sharp Objects)
Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora)
Connie Britton (Dirty John)
Laura Dern (The Tale)
Regina King (Seven Seconds)

I don’t always predict this category in such detail, but given that, once again, I’ve seen a lot of the first episodes of these limited series and actors, I figured it was worth writing about it. Emmy nominees Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon), Joey King (The Act), and Niecy Nash (When They See Us) are likely to be included. Helen Mirren (Catherine the Great) seems like a sure thing. I’m pulling for Merritt Wever (Unbelievable), and I’d love to see her costar Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable) also nominated. Kathryn Hahn (Mrs. Fletcher) would be a great choice too. Miley Cyrus (Black Mirror), Renee Zellweger (What/If), and Kerry Washington (American Son) could also show up, as could any number of others I’m not considering.

Current predictions:
Kathryn Hahn (Mrs. Fletcher)
Joey King (The Act)
Helen Mirren (Catherine the Great)
Merritt Wever (Unbelievable)
Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Daniel Bruhl (The Alienist)
Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose)
Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal)

I don’t always predict this category in such detail, but given that, once again, I’ve seen a lot of the first episodes of these limited series and actors, I figured it was worth writing about it. Expect Emmy nominees Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), and Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon) to show up. Enthusiasm for the project may propel Aaron Paul (El Camino) to a bid even if Globe voters were never as into him as the Emmy Awards were. Sacha Baron Cohen (Spy), a nominee last year for his comedy series work, seems like a good bet, and there are a few others in contention, including Russell Crowe (The Loudest Voice), who I’d love to see nominated, Benedict Cumberbatch (Brexit), Idris Elba (Luther), and plenty more.

Current predictions:
Sacha Baron Cohen (Spy)
Russell Crowe (The Loudest Voice)
Jared Harris (Chernobyl)
Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us)
Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Kristen Bell (The Good Place)
Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown)
Alison Brie (GLOW)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Debra Messing (Will and Grace)

New contenders:
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Kirsten Dunst (On Becoming a God in Central Florida)
Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll)
Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson)

Potential first-time nominees:
Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)

Returning series:
Helen Hunt (Mad About You)

Past nominees:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

Unlike most of the other races, this category could remain mostly intact, with only Bergen out of the running for sure. I wouldn’t bet on Messing returning, and Brie and Bell are also unlikely. Two-time defending champion Brosnahan should be back, and she might face Louis-Dreyfus, whose prominence at the Emmys far outweighs her mentions here. Count on Waller-Bridge to show up and likely win, and Lyonne and Dunst are good bets too. I’m not sure about Applegate, and I have a feeling that Hunt could end up here instead. This is a competitive category, and I’m not sure what to expect.

Current predictions:
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Kirsten Dunst (On Becoming a God in Central Florida)
Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Jim Carrey (Kidding)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Donald Glover (Atlanta)
Bill Hader (Barry)
Sacha Baron Cohen (Who Is America)

New contenders:
Don Cheadle (Black Monday)
Ricky Gervais (After Life)
Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones)
Ben Platt (The Politician)
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself)
Ramy Youssef (Ramy)

Potential first-time nominees:
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

Returning series:
Paul Reiser (Mad About You)

Past nominees:
Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
Eric McCormack (Will and Grace)
William H. Macy (Shameless)

Only two of last year’s nominees are even eligible to return, thanks to delayed new seasons for Carrey and Glover and the cancellation of Baron Cohen’s. The new list seems pretty set, though this category is sure to give us surprises. Douglas won this race last year and Hader won the Emmy twice in a row, so expect them both to be back. This is probably the time that Danson finally breaks through after two Emmy nominations, and Rudd and Platt seem like strong choices to fill the rest of the lineup. Cheadle is always possible since he’s a favorite in this category, and there are any number of other options. Let’s see how this one plays out.

Current predictions:
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Bill Hader (Barry)
Ben Platt (The Politician)
Paul Rudd (Living with Yourself)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a TV Series - Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)
Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)
Julia Roberts (Homecoming)
Keri Russell (The Americans)

New contenders:
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
Olivia Colman (The Crown)
Regina King (Watchmen)
Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show)
Zendaya (Euphoria)

Potential first-time nominees:
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Mj Rodriguez (Pose)
Sarah Snook (Succession)

Newly eligible in this category:
Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies)

Past nominees:
Mandy Moore (This Is Us)

This list is likely to experience a major shakeup, even with three of its nominees eligible again. I’d think that Balfe is finally off the list after unexpected returns each year, and Moss is probably gone too after her show, which won the top category two years ago, was less off last year. The winner of this award last year, Oh, would have been a shoo-in had her costar Jodie Comer not beat her for the Emmy, so it’s possibly both, neither, or just one of them will make the cut. There are two other duos who are strong contenders: Kidman and Witherspoon, last nominated in the miniseries race for the first season of their show. The other pair is Aniston and Witherspoon again for Apple TV Plus’ new flagship show. I see a scenario in which Witherspoon gets two nominations, but I’m just not sure. The other contender to depend on to be here is Colman, an Oscar winner last year taking over for Claire Foy, who won this category three years ago for the same role. Other possibilities include King, who is more beloved by the Emmy Awards than Globe voters, and Zendaya, both of whom star on hot new HBO shows. I’d expect some surprises here in this very crowded field.

Current predictions:
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
Olivia Colman (The Crown)
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a TV Series - Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Jason Bateman (Ozark)
Stephan James (Homecoming)
Richard Madden (Bodyguard)
Billy Porter (Pose)
Matthew Rhys (The Americans)

New contenders:
Kevin Bacon (City on a Hill)
Tobias Menzies (The Crown)
Jason Momoa (See)
Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem)

Potential first-time nominees:
Brian Cox (Succession)
Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter)
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones)
Jeremy Strong (Succesion)

Past nominees:
Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)
Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)
Billy Bob Thornton (Goliath)

Last year offered a good number of surprises, and this year, only two of them are in the running again. That would be Emmy winner Porter and SAG winner Bateman, both of whom are likely to return but not guaranteed. It’s a good bet that Menzies will be included because he’s a past Globe nominee for his role on “Outlander” and now stars on a revered series with a brand-new cast. It’s actually likely that the other nominees will come from returning rather than new shows, with both Cox and Strong likely to make up for lackluster enthusiasm for their show last year and Groff also a potential beneficiary of delayed buzz. Harington is probable but far from guaranteed since Globe voters have never embraced his show too warmly. I feel like we’ll get an odd inclusion here like Bacon, but I’m really not sure what to expect – the actress and comedy races are much richer with candidates.

Current predictions:
Brian Cox (Succession)
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones)
Tobias Menzies (The Crown)
Billy Porter (Pose) Jeremy Strong/b> (Succession)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Comedy Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Black-ish
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Master of None
SMILF
Will and Grace

New contenders:
Barry
Forever
Kidding
The Kominsky Method

Potential first-time nominees:
GLOW
The Good Place

Returning series:
Atlanta
Murphy Brown

Both “Master of None” and “SMILF” are out of the running this year, and “Atlanta,” the champ from two years ago, is back and all but guaranteed to score a slot. “Barry” is equally locked, and though there are a handful of new shows is consideration, it seems like it might well be time for “The Good Place” to finally break through, and for another show snubbed in this race last year, “GLOW,” to earn its spot. I wonder if we’ll get a surprise like “SMILF” this year.

Current predictions:
Atlanta
Barry
GLOW
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Golden Globe Musings: Best Drama Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid’s Tale
Stranger Things
This Is Us

New contenders:
Counterpart
Haunting of Hill House
Homecoming
Killing Eve
Pose
Yellowstone

Potential first-time nominees:
The Americans

Last year, it was “Westworld” that was on hiatus, and this year it’s no fewer than three of last year’s nominees. Both “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “This Is Us” seem likely to return, whereas “Westworld” may not due to an uneven second season. I’m confident in both “Killing Eve” and “Homecoming” to grab spots, but less so about “Pose” and “Haunting of Hill House,” which is why I’m going for a less standard but wholly deserving pick, “Counterpart.” I think it’s also possible that “New Amsterdam” could score a surprise mention here.

Current predictions:
Counterpart
The Handmaid’s Tale
Homecoming
Killing Eve
This Is Us

Golden Globe Musings: Best Miniseries or Television Film

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Big Little Lies
Fargo
Feud: Bette and Joan
The Sinner
Top of the Lake: China Girl

I don’t usually write up this category ahead of time, but I have seen a handful of the contenders, or at least the first episode of some of the limited series. Last year, this race included all series that have ended up with more than one season. Seven of the ten Emmy nominees in the corresponding categories are eligible this year, with The Assassination of Gianni Versace and The Tale feeling like the strongest bets to me, Patrick Melrose and The Alienist up next, and then Paterno, Fahrenheit 451, and Genius: Picasso trailing behind that. This year’s new contenders include Maniac, Sharp Objects, A Very English Scandal, Escape at Dannemora, The Little Drummer Girl, Howard’s End, and The Romanoffs. I’m also watching out for the surprise inclusion of Bodyguard here but predicting it to just miss the list.

Current predictions:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Maniac
Sharp Objects
The Tale
A Very English Scandal

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a TV Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Laura Dern (Big Little Lies)
Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Chrissy Metz (This Is Us)
Michelle Pfeiffer (The Wizard of Lies)
Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies)

New contenders:
Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)

Potential first-time nominees:
Zazie Beetz (Atlanta)
Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Betty Gilpin (GLOW)
Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Returning shows:
Thandie Newton (Westworld)

Past nominees:
Megan Mullally (Will and Grace)

Three of last year’s contenders starred in miniseries or TV movies so they won’t be back. Metz missed out on an Emmy nomination this past year, and Dowd wasn’t the most featured player on her show in this category for season two – that was Strahovski, who’s likely to join the list. There are a handful of Emmy nominees who might crack this list, with winner Newton, returning after her show took 2017 off, all but guaranteed to get another nomination. I’m not sure how this category will go, but we’ll see!

Current predictions:
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Thandie Newton (Westworld)
Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV Series

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
David Harbour (Stranger Things)
Alfred Molina (Feud: Bette and Joan)
Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies)
Christian Slater (Mr. Robot)
David Thewlis (Fargo)

New contenders:
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Henry Winkler (Barry)
Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal)

Potential first-time nominees:
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Marc Maron (GLOW)
Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Past nominees:
Sean Hayes (Will and Grace)

We’re looking at an entirely fresh slate this year, with both Harbour and Slater’s shows taking 2017 off. Only one Emmy winner from the three feeder categories is a contender, and Winkler is pretty much a sure thing. A handful of Emmy- and SAG-honored men passed over by the Globes last time might show up, as could a few miniseries faces. It’s near impossible to know who will show up here – these are just my best guesses.

Current predictions:
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Jessica Biel (The Sinner)
Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies)
Jessica Lange (Feud: Bette and Joan)
Susan Sarandon (Feud: Bette and Joan)
Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies)

I don’t always predict this category in such detail, but given that I’ve seen a lot of the first episodes of these limited series and actors, I figured it was worth writing about it. Last year, this category featured double nominees from two different programs. That won’t be the case this year. Only two of the Emmy nominees from this past year are eligible, and both are expected to receive nominations: Regina King (Seven Seconds) and Laura Dern (The Tale). New possibilities include Amy Adams (Sharp Objects), Emma Stone (Maniac), Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora), Emma Thompson (King Lear), Hayley Atwell (Howard’s End), and Florence Pugh (The Little Drummer Girl). Though she won this award two years ago for “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” and she has been nominated five times for her work on this anthology series, Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Apocalypse) has yet to receive a Globe nomination for the FX horror show and likely won’t do it for the first time this year.

Current predictions:
Amy Adams (Sharp Objects)
Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora)
Laura Dern (The Tale)
Regina King (Seven Seconds)
Emma Stone (Maniac)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Robert De Niro (The Wizard of Lies)
Jude Law (The Young Pope)
Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks)
Ewan McGregor (Fargo)
Geoffrey Rush (Genius)

I don’t always predict this category in such detail, but given that I’ve seen a lot of the first episodes of these limited series and actors, I figured it was worth writing about it. Five of last year’s Emmy nominees are eligible, including winner Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace), Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose), Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso), John Legend (Jesus Christ: Superstar), and Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower). Their likeliest competition includes Jonah Hill (Maniac), Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal), Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora), and Richard Madden (Bodyguard). Don’t count out Al Pacino (Paterno), Alexander Skarsgard (The Little Drummer Girl), Anthony Hopkins (King Lear), or Peter Dinklage (My Dinner with Herve) either.

Current predictions:
Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose)
Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal)
Jonah Hill (Maniac)
Richard Madden (Bodyguard)

Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a TV Series - Comedy/Musical

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced soon, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
Pamela Adlon (Better Things)
Alison Brie (GLOW)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Issa Rae (Insecure)
Frankie Shaw (SMILF)

New contenders:
Jennifer Garner (Camping)
Maya Rudolph (Forever)

Potential first-time nominees:
Kristen Bell (The Good Place)

Returning series:
Candice Bergen (Murphy Brown)
Sarah Jessica Parker (Divorce)

Past nominees:
Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)
Allison Janney (Mom)
Debra Messing (Will and Grace)
Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)

Both Adlon and Shaw are out of the running because their shows haven’t returned for their latest seasons just yet. Defending champ Brosnahan’s show returns even later than it premiered last year, but that shouldn’t stop her from earning another nomination. Brie and Rae are tossups, though their shows continue to be respected. It’s strange to think that Parker was nominated the last time she was eligible, and it’s possible that the very, very late renewal of her show for a third season could help voters think about it again. Rudolph seems to be leading the pack of new contenders, and she’s certainly more likeable on her show than past Globe winner Garner. Bergen’s show has not landed as anyone wanted, but she might still show up. Ted Danson seems likely to earn a nomination to go with his Emmy bid – can Bell do the same?

Current predictions:
Kristen Bell (The Good Place)
Alison Brie (GLOW)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Issa Rae (Insecure)
Maya Rudolph (Forever)