Emmy Predictions 2016 - Who Will Likely Be Nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie?

From June 13 to June 27, voting is taking place for The 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. To add to the excitement of the past year in television, I'm providing analysis on which shows and performers are likely to get nominated this year. Next up is Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie.

The strength of the Limited Series categories continues with Lead Actor. This is a field that could easily fill a ballot with past Emmy winners and nominees. Benedict Cumberbatch won the last time Sherlock was eligible. Timothy Hutton and Idris Elba were nominated in the past for American Crime and Luther. All are on the ballot. But none are guaranteed slots. Some of the best performances came from Bryan Cranston (All the Way), Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson), Patrick Wilson (Fargo) Anthony Hopkins & Ian McKellen (The Dresser), and Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero). All of these guys are contenders - and that's not even counting the two leading Roots guys (who would be shoo-ins any other year) or the strong work James Franco did on 11.22.63. Again, so much talent but not enough slots.

So now, here's my thoughts on the actors most likely to be nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie:

1. Bryan Cranston for HBO's All the Way
2. Courtney B. Vance for FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
3. Benedict Cumberbatch for PBS' Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
4. Tom Hiddleston for AMC's The Night Manager
5. Patrick Wilson for FX's Fargo
6. Anthony Hopkins for Starz's The Dresser

And now, for some serious threats that could break into the list:

1. Cuba Gooding Jr. for FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
2. Timothy Hutton for ABC's American Crime
3. Ian McKellen for Starz's The Dresser
4. Malachi Kirby and Regé-Jean Page for A&E, History and Lifetime's Roots
5. Oscar Isaac for HBO's Show Me a Hero
6. Idris Elba for BBC America's Luther
7. James Franco for Hulu's 11.22.63
8. Matt Bomer and Wes Bentley for FX's American Horror Story: Hotel
9. Bill Murray for Netflix's A Very Murray Christmas
10. Tony Shalhoub for PBS' Act One (Live From Lincoln Center)

Some considerable long-shots:

1. Richard Dreyfuss for ABC's Madoff
2. Paul Dano and James Norton for A&E, History and Lifetime's War & Peace
3. Johnny Depp for Funny or Die Presents Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie
4. Ricky Gervais for Netflix's Special Correspondents
5. Ben Kingsley for Spike's Tut
6. Vincent Kartheiser for National Geographic's Saints & Strangers
7. Ben Whishaw for BBC America's London Spy
8. Kenneth Branagh for PBS' Wallander: The Troubled Man
9. Ben Daniels for Starz's Flesh and Bone

And now, just some colorful oddities who still have an outside chance:

1. Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn for HBO's True Detective
2. Andy Samberg for HBO's 7 Days in Hell
3. Will Ferrell for Lifetime's A Deadly Adoption
4. Michael Kenneth Williams for IFC's The Spoils Before Dying
5. Aaron Tveit for FOX's Grease: Live!
6. Stellan Skarsgård for Netflix's River
7. Paul Sparks for Starz's The Girlfriend Experience

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Let me know in the comments below!