Emmy Predictions 2018 - Which Programs Will Likely Be Nominated for Drama Series?

From June 11 to June 25, 2018, voting is taking place for The 70th 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 Drama Series.

2017 Nominees:

        AMC's Better Call Saul
        Netflix's The Crown
        Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale (WINNER)
        Netflix's House of Cards
        Netflix's Stranger Things
        NBC's This Is Us
        HBO's Westworld

Unlike some of the other categories I've been predicting this year, the race for Drama Series may actually be pretty predictable. Yes, there are at least two open spots in this category considering Better Call Saul and House of Cards didn't air any episodes in the eligibility window. Meanwhile, the other five shows that were nominated last year basically all seem like locks to return to this race. Sure, I could make a couple of quibbles because other shows probably deserve to be nominated instead. But that list is still pretty solid. They will be joined by the return of Game of Thrones. That show won the last two times it was nominated in this category. In fact, it may ultimately be a battle between Game of Thrones and The Handmaid's Tale for the winner here. But that leaves the seventh slot open. I'm basically just going back-and-forth between The Americans and Killing Eve. Both have solid cases that can be made for them. Other shows probably have the potential to make it in as well. But I think it will be one of those two to join the field.

So now, here's my thoughts on the programs most likely to be nominated for Drama Series:

1. Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale
2. HBO's Game of Thrones
3. Netflix's Stranger Things
4. Netflix's The Crown
5. NBC's This Is Us
6. HBO's Westworld
7. FX's The Americans

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

1. BBC America's Killing Eve
2. Starz's Counterpart
3. Netflix's Mindhunter
4. Netflix's Ozark
5. CBS All Access' The Good Fight
6. HBO's The Deuce
7. Showtime's The Chi
8. ABC's The Good Doctor
9. Showtime's Homeland
10. USA's Mr. Robot
11. FX's Trust
12. Netflix's Narcos
13. Audience's Mr. Mercedes
14. Netflix's 13 Reasons Why
15. Netflix's Orange Is the New Black
16. BBC America's Orphan Black
17. Amazon's Sneaky Pete
18. Starz's Outlander

Some considerable long-shots:

1. AMC's Halt and Catch Fire
2. FOX's The X-Files
3. FOX's 9-1-1
4. FX's Legion
5. Showtime's Billions
6. CBS All Access' Star Trek: Discovery
7. The CW's Black Lighting
8. TNT's Claws
9. Netflix's Jessica Jones
10. ABC's Scandal
11. Showtime's I'm Dying Up Here
12. TNT's Animal Kingdom
13. Hulu's Runaways
14. Netflix's The Punisher
15. OWN's Queen Sugar

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

1. NBC's Timeless
2. Freeform's The Bold Type
3. NBC's Good Girls
4. Epix's Berlin Station
5. Lifetime's Mary Kills People
6. Netflix's Lost in Space
7. The CW's Legends of Tomorrow
8. Netflix's Altered Carbon
9. AMC's Into the Badlands
10. Sony Crackle's The Oath

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