Final Golden Globe Winner Predictions

The Golden Globes are tonight, and I’m excited to watch! I’m hoping we’ll get some great winners.

There are a number of nominees I’m ecstatic about, and I may have let that influence my predictions a bit too much. Can “Casual” and Rachel Bloom really win? I hope so. I’d also love to see “Narcos” take Best Drama Series and Maura Tierney win Best Supporting Actress. We’ll see! I’d be bored if “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” both won for the first time, since that would be clear pandering to Emmy tastes. The Globes usually go nuts for freshmen series, so I’m hoping that some deserving new shows will be honored. Click on category headings for analysis. Leave your thoughts in the comments. Let’s hope for a great show! Please visit MoviesWithAbe.com for film predictions.

Best Television Series - Drama
Mr. Robot

Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Casual

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Fargo

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Rami Malek (Mr. Robot)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Taraji P. Henson (Empire)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Aziz Ansari (Master of None)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
David Oyelowo (Nightingale)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Lady Gaga (American Horror Story: Hotel)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Christian Slater (Mr. Robot)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Regina King (American Crime)

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical

The competition: Casual, Mozart in the Jungle, Orange is the New Black, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Veep

For your information: This year doesn’t mark as drastic a change as last year’s lineup, preserving three nominees – “Orange is the New Black,” “Silicon Valley,” and “Transparent,” all back for their second consecutive nominations in this category. “Transparent” won last year. Despite having earned Julia Louis-Dreyfus four consecutive nominations, Emmy champ “Veep” is actually new to this race for the show’s fourth season. Hulu’s “Casual” and Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” are both freshmen series new to this race. This category is actually made up of four shows from streaming networks and two from HBO, which has triumphed in this category six times, though not for either of the shows nominated this year.

Who should win? “Casual” is the best, but anything other than “Mozart in the Jungle” would get my vote.

Who will win? How cool would it be if it actually was Casual?. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best TV Series – Drama

The competition: Empire, Game of Thrones, Mr. Robot, Narcos, Outlander

For your information: The only returning nominee in this race is Emmy champ “Game of Thrones,” which was nominated for season back in 2011 and then again last year. “Outlander” aired half its first season in 2014 and contends now for the first time. The other three are freshmen series. “Empire” and “Narcos” each have one actor nominated, and “Mr. Robot” and “Outlander” have two. This would be the first win for USA, Netflix, or Starz, respectively, if “Mr. Robot,” “Narcos,” or “Outlander” won.

Who should win? Definitely “Narcos,” though I’d be excited about “Mr. Robot” too. I also haven’t seen “Outlander” and didn’t watch past the pilot of “Empire.”

Who will win? I’d love to predict “Narcos” and I’m worried about “Outlander,” so I think I’ll choose Mr. Robot instead.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Limited Series or TV Movie

The competition: American Crime, American Horror Story: Hotel, Fargo, Flesh and Bone, Wolf Hall

For your information: Like last year, we have not one but three “limited series,” all of which are debuting new seasons with different actors. “Flesh and Bone” is also a limited series that I don’t think will be back for another round, and “Wolf Hall” is a straight miniseries. I can’t find anywhere to confirm this, but this may well be the first time that a TV movie is not recognized in this race. All of these nominees have one or two actors nominated also. “Fargo” won last year, and “American Horror Story” has been nominated twice before, for season one (in Best Drama Series) and for “Coven.”

Who should win? I watched episode one of “American Crime” and otherwise just “Fargo,” which I love.

Who will win? I feel like Fargo might win again.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series

The competition: Uzo Aduba’s hyperactive inmate (Orange is the New Black), Joanne Froggatt’s loyal handmaid (Downton Abbey), Regina King’s Muslim defendant (American Crime), Judith Light’s Jewish mother (Transparent), and Maura Tierney’s scorned wife (The Affair).

For your information: This is the second consecutive nomination for both Froggatt, who won last year, and Aduba. This is the first nomination for King, Light, and Tierney. Aduba and King both won Emmys this past year. “American Crime,” “Orange is the New Black,” and “Transparent,” are all nominated for the corresponding top award. The last time that an actress won this award two years in a row was over thirty years ago.

Who should win? I haven’t seen King’s performance or finished this season of “Transparent,” but my enthusiastic vote in for Tierney.

Who will win? Anyone could actually win here. I’ll go with King with hopes that Tierney will triumph.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series

The competition: Alan Cumming’s political operator (The Good Wife), Damian Lewis’ Henry VIII (Wolf Hall), Ben Mendelsohn’s troublemaker brother (Bloodline), Tobias Menzies’ Black Jack (Outlander), and Christian Slater’s anarchist (Mr. Robot).

For your information: Cumming is the only returning nominee, back for his second consecutive nomination. This is the fourth career nomination for Lewis, who won a Globe in 2012 for the second season of “Homeland.” This is the first nomination for Mendelsohn, Menzies, and Slater. “Wolf Hall” is nominated for Best Miniseries or TV Movie and both “Mr. Robot” and “Outlander” are up for Best Drama Series.

Who should win? I haven’t seen Lewis or Menzies or much of Mendelsohn’s work, but it would be cool to see Slater win.

Who will win? I just don’t know – maybe Slater?

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

The competition: Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), Lady Gaga (American Horror Story: Hotel), Sarah Hay (Flesh and Bone), Felicity Huffman (American Crime), and Queen Latifah (Bessie).

For your information: Dunst was nominated for a Golden Globe twenty-one years ago for her supporting work in “Interview with the Vampire” back when she was only twelve years old. Huffman has been nominated four times before for her TV work and won a Golden Globe in 2005 for starring in the film “Transamerica.” Latifah won an award in this category in 2007 for “Life Support” and was nominated in 2002 for her film work in “Chicago.” This is the first nomination for Gaga and Hay. Latifah is the only one whose miniseries or TV movie isn’t also nominated in the top corresponding category. Dunst and Gaga’s shows both had other stars nominated last year in this race.

Who should win? All I’ve seen is Dunst’s performance and the first hour of Huffman’s.

Who will win? I think the Globes will love Gaga.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

The competition: Idris Elba (Luther), Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero), David Oyelowo (Nightingale), Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall), Patrick Wilson (Fargo)

For your information: This category’s name is important, since Elba has actually been nominated for this same role here three times before. Wilson was nominated in 2003 for “Angels in America,” and two other stars from the last iteration of his series were recognized here last year. Isaac and Oyelowo have both been nominated once before for film work. Both Elba and Rylance, who is a first-time Globe nominee this year, are also nominated for in the Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture category. “Fargo” and “Wolf Hall” are both recognized as nominees for Best Miniseries or Made-for-TV Movie.

Who should win? I’ve only seen Wilson’s work, but he’s great.

Who will win? I’m not sure, but I think it will be Oyelowo.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy/Musical

The competition: Rachel Bloom’s singing lawyer (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Jamie Lee Curtis’ college dean (Scream Queens), Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ sarcastic vice-president (Veep), Gina Rodriguez’s spunky pregnant virgin (Jane the Virgin), and Lily Tomlin’s newfound divorcée (Grace and Frankie).

For your information: Rodriguez won this award last year, and this is the fourth consecutive nomination for Louis-Dreyfus. This is Curtis’ seventh career nomination. She has won twice, including once in this category in 1989 for “Anything But Love.” Tomlin has been nominated five times previously, and is also nominated this year for her film work in “Grandma.” This is the first Globe nomination for Bloom. Only “Veep” is nominated for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical. No star of a musical has won this award since the 1980s.

Who should win? Bloom!

Who will win? I fear it’s too optimistic, but I’m going to bet on Bloom.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a TV Series – Comedy/Musical

The competition: Aziz Ansari’s struggling actor (Master of None), Gael Garcia Bernal’s eccentric conductor (Mozart in the Jungle), Rob Lowe’s actor-turned-lawyer, Patrick Stewart’s lewd talk show host (Blunt Talk), and Jeffrey Tambor’s patriarch-turned-matriarch (Transparent).

For your information: The only returning nominee from last year is Tambor, who won this award. The other four nominees are from new series. This is Lowe’s sixth career nomination and his first in this category. This is Stewart’s third nomination and his first for a regular TV series. This is the first nomination for both Ansari and Bernal. Only “Transparent” is nominated for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical.

Who should win? I like all of these nominees. I think I’d enjoy seeing Ansari win most.

Who will win? I think it could be Tambor again, but I’ll go with Ansari instead.

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama

The competition: Caitriona Balfe’s time-traveling nurse (Outlander), Viola Davis’ fearsome legal educator (How to Get Away with Murder), Eva Green’s monster-fighting heroine (Penny Dreadful), Taraji P. Henson’s music magnate (Empire), and Robin Wright (House of Cards).

For your information: This is the second consecutive nomination for Davis, and the third for Wright, who won in 2013. Balfe, Green, and Henson are first-time Globe nominees. Last year’s winner, Ruth Wilson, is not nominated this year despite being eligible. Balfe and Henson’s shows are both nominated for Best TV Series – Drama. Unlike the corresponding actor field, this category doesn’t always favor freshmen winners.

Who should win? I actually watch just one of these shows – Wright’s – so I can’t offer an informed opinion here!

Who will win? I think Henson will triumph, but I don’t know much here!

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama

The competition: Jon Hamm’s ad man (Mad Men), Rami Malek’s antisocial hacker (Mr. Robot), Wagner Moura’s Pablo Escobar (Narcos), Bob Odenkirk’s wannabe lawyer (Better Call Saul), and Liev Schreiber’s Hollywood fixer (Ray Donovan).

For your information: Interestingly, Schreiber is the only returning nominee from last year, earning this third consecutive bid for his show. Hamm won on his first try in 2007, was nominated again in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012, and returns now for the final season of his show. This is the first nomination for the other three. Malek and Moura’s shows are nominated for Best TV Series – Drama. Freshmen series stars and first-time nominees often win this award. Last year’s winner, Kevin Spacey, is not nominated this year despite being eligible. Working against Hamm, the last time an actor won this award twice was Hugh Laurie in 2005 and 2006, and it’s the last time that’s happened in over thirty years.

Who should win? Malek or Moura, but they’re honestly all excellent choices

Who will win? My money is on Malek.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical

My predictions: 3/6, picking only “Orange is the New Black,” “Silicon Valley,” and “Transparent”
Who’s missing? Girls, Jane the Virgin, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Last Man on Earth, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory

It’s very interesting to compare this list with the SAG Best Ensemble field, which also contains six nominees. Three of them - Orange is the New Black, Transparent, and Veep - are the same. Of those three, it took “Orange is the New Black” until its classification as a comedy in year two to get here, “Transparent” was snubbed in season one, and Emmy winner “Veep” is actually here for the first time. Long-forgotten are network comedies like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Modern Family” that SAG still likes, and instead, we get an interesting trio. Silicon Valley is back for year two, keeping up its streak of only being nominated in the top races with no performers ever singled out. Mozart in the Jungle is an Amazon offering that I found over the top but it’s still interesting to see it here. And the best news of all is the inclusion of Hulu’s superb show Casual, a fantastic addition that I’d love to see win this.

Who will win? It’s hard to say – maybe they’ll go for Veep now that it’s finally nominated?

Golden Globe Nominees: Best TV Series – Drama

My predictions: 3/5, picking “The Affair” and “House of Cards” over “Empire” and “Outlander”
What’s missing? The Affair, Downton Abbey, The Good Wife, House of Cards

Now this is a bit surprising, but very much in the style of the Golden Globes. Their winning series from last year, “The Affair,” is gone completely. Dismissed are two series that had been nominated regularly in the past, including one that I really didn’t expect to be gone so soon, “House of Cards.” Joining popular show Game of Thrones, the only returning nominee, are four brand new shows. Two of them I don’t watch, Empire and Outlander, and two I couldn’t be more excited about: Mr. Robot and Narcos. This list is cool if only because it honors five different networks: FOX, HBO, USA, Netflix, and Starz. I’d prefer a handful of other shows be represented here alongside those last two.

What will win? It’s looking like Outlander right now.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Limited Series or TV Movie

My predictions: 3/5, picking “Bessie” and “Show Me a Hero” over “American Horror Story: Hotel” and “Flesh and Bone”
What’s missing? Bessie, Show Me a Hero, Luther, Nightingale

It’s clear: Globe voters love their limited series that aren’t so limited. Last year’s winner Fargo, American Crime, and American Horror Story: Hotel will all be back again for new iterations and likely nominated again. That may also be the case for Flesh and Bone. The only traditional miniseries here is Wolf Hall, which beat out TV movies “Show Me a Hero” and “Bessie,” which just had their lead performers nominated. Not surprisingly, season two of “True Detective” did not make the cut.

Who will win? I’m thinking American Horror Story: Hotel.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series

My predictions: 3/5, picking Janney and Smart over Froggatt and Light
Who’s missing? Allison Janney, Jean Smart

This is a cool list, one singling out performers on shows who are clearly doing good work. Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) and Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) are back again, though I’m not sure they both need to be nominated year after year. Regina King (American Crime) won an Emmy for her work, and while I would have liked to see her here for “The Leftovers” instead, this is still something. I haven’t yet seen season two of her show, so I can’t speak to whether Judith Light (Transparent) really is the deserving supporting actress from her show. And one nominee I’m proud to have predicted - Maura Tierney (The Affair) - made the cut for a superb supporting performance after the other three nominations her show got last year all failed to repeat.

Who will win? I think this will be Aduba since she has yet to win a Globe.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series

My predictions: 1/5, picking only Lewis
Who’s missing? Jon Voight, Tituss Burgess, Ted Danson, Michael K. Williams, Peter Dinklage, Tony Hale

This list doesn't look like what I thought it would, but it rarely does. To start with, we have Alan Cumming (The Good Wife) again, now representing his show all on his own. He's still fun, but I don't think he needs to be here. I am pleased to see Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), a great chance to recognize a great performance. I didn't see Tobias Menzies coming, but apparently his show was very popular. It's good to see Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline) recognized as the strongest part of a so-so show, joining fifth nominee Damian Lewis (Wolf Hall).

Who will win? I think it will be Lewis.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

My predictions: 4/5, picking McAdams over Hay
Who’s missing? Rachel McAdams, Nicole Kidman, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, Kristen Wiig

As expected, there is just one similar nominee between yesterday’s SAG list and today’s: Queen Latifah (Bessie), whose TV movie missed out on the top category. Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), Felicity Huffman (American Crime), and Lady Gaga (American Horror Story: Hotel) all benefited from their anthology series being classified here, and they’re joined by an intriguing fifth nominee that I know one reader will be excited to see here even though she thought the show was a little insane: Sarah Hay (Flesh and Bone).

Who will win? I think it has to be Gaga, right?

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

My predictions: 4/5, picking Hutton over Elba
Who’s missing? Timothy Hutton, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Ray Liotta

Gone are yesterday’s strange SAG nominees, retaining just Idris Elba (Luther) and Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall), both of who are also contending against each other in the Best Supporting Actor film race. As expected, we have Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero), David Oyelowo (Nightingale), and, from a show I watch, Patrick Wilson (Fargo), a great understated pick.

Who will win? I’m going to go with Isaac.

Golden Globe Nominees: Best Actress in a TV Series – Comedy/Musical

My predictions: 3/5, picking Kemper and Schilling over Curtis and Tomlin
Who’s missing? Ellie Kemper, Taylor Schilling, Edie Falco, Lena Dunham

I guess I shouldn’t have swapped out Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie), a double nominee today, for Kemper, whose show was not embraced at all by Globe voters, which is a surprise though “30 Rock” merited only one nomination its first year. I didn’t see Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens) coming, and I don’t think it’s a terribly worthy nomination. It’s good that Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) is still here while her show was dismissed from the top race, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) finally saw her show get tacked on as the sixth nominee in the Best Comedy Series race. And I could not be more excited by my favorite nominee today: Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), who is so great on her show.

Who will win? I’m going to go out on a limb and say Bloom optimistically. Her show is the only musical here…