The Nominees Ranked By Which Should Win:
- Jean Smart for HBO's Watchmen - "She Was Killed by Space Junk"
- Toni Collette for Netflix's Unbelievable - "Episode 6"
- Uzo Aduba for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Shirley"
- Margo Martindale for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Bella"
- Tracey Ullman for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Betty"
- Holland Taylor for Netflix's Hollywood - "Jump"
HBO's Watchmen was a terrific show because of its vast ensemble and bold storytelling. Jean Smart was a significant part of that. She has never been better. That's especially saying something given her work in recent years. She played a woman who commanded every single space she walked into. She refused to be defined by her past. It was a history of notoriety. People projected an understanding onto her that didn't translate as she continued to age and explore life. She became a federal agent to prove that vigilantism wasn't the only way to be heroic. She yearned for the past glory. However, she was just as powerful and capable of achieving it in the present day too. She refused to be defined by someone else with incredible abilities. She was just as brilliant as any foe she encountered. That strength was rewarded over and over again despite how many people frustrated her. She remained determined to find success while still noting just how insane this world has increasingly become. It was truly great and nuanced work centered around a superhero story that has never been told before. Toni Collette was just as heroic on Unbelievable though. It's vital for law enforcement to support and uplift women when faced with the grueling attacks committed against them. Collette moved with such compassion while also presenting a hard exterior. She trusts those she lets in completely while fighting for passionate causes. She remained steady in a world that continually traumatizes women who have already endured so much pain.
The Nominees Ranked by Which Will Win:
- Jean Smart for HBO's Watchmen - "She Was Killed by Space Junk"
- Margo Martindale for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Bella"
- Uzo Aduba for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Shirley"
- Tracey Ullman for FX on Hulu's Mrs. America - "Betty"
- Toni Collette for Netflix's Unbelievable - "Episode 6"
- Holland Taylor for Netflix's Hollywood - "Jump"
This race was one of the most competitive heading into the nominations announcement. Some snubs absolutely occurred. Mrs. America was always going to be a dominating presence simply because of how stacked its ensemble was with Emmy favorites. Margo Martindale, Uzo Aduba and Tracey Ullman always seemed like frontrunners. Sarah Paulson was as well though. She wasn't nominated. Plus, having half the category from the same project may not result in a victory for one of them. Sure, they benefit from their episodes being centered around their characters. The series shared the focus amongst its ensemble throughout the season. Watchmen did that as well, which benefits Jean Smart in this race too. Toni Collette was wonderful in Unbelievable. However, that show was always about the partnership that developed between her and Merritt Wever as their characters tried to catch a serial rapist. And so, it's a performance that might be overshadowed by the more flashier ones in this category. Holland Taylor is certainly deserving of more attention by these voters. She was solid in Hollywood. She just suffers from how insanely competitive this field is. Any of these nominees could walk home with the trophy. It would be completely justifiable as well. They all did stunning and compelling work that would stand out in any other year. That makes it hard to judge. Everyone is so good. Smart may have the edge only because of how beloved Watchmen was by the voters. But this could also be a category where the voters decide to reward one of the other deserving limited series of the year.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? Let me know in the comments below!
