2024 Emmy Predictions: My Picks for Best Drama Series & Other Categories

On the morning of July 14, Tony Hale and Sheryl Lee Ralph captured my full attention as they unveiled the complete list of 2024 Emmy nominations. The categories are packed with remarkable talent, featuring standout actors like Jeremy Allen White and popular TV shows such as The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Shōgun. Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego commented, “Television delivers stories that connect us, uplift us, challenge us, and always entertain us. I am honored to celebrate the outstanding work of our extraordinarily talented and hardworking creative community.”

Despite the 2024 Emmy nominations being public for a while, the big question on my mind remains: Who will win a highly coveted statuette on September 15? Is anyone on the brink of making history?

Here, are all the celebrities I believe will walk away with an Emmy Award—including a few surprises.

DISNEY/Gilles Mingasson

• Nominees: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, Palm Royale, Reservation Dogs, What We Do in the Shadows
• Predicted Winner: Abbott Elementary

Fun fact: Abbott Elementary season three boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, and according to The Wrap, the premiere made ratings history, drawing 5.91 million total viewers. While The Bear might reclaim its title, I predict this ABC sitcom will steal the show this year.

Courtesy of FX

• Nominees: The Crown, Fallout, The Gilded Age, The Morning Show, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Shōgun, Slow Horses, 3 Body Problem
• Predicted Winner:Shōgun

Succession snagged the award for two years in a row, but now, I’m betting on Shōgun. The historical drama, which has been renewed for a second and third season, is the first Japanese-language series to be nominated for an Emmy in this category. With 25 nominations, it leads against all other contenders.

Ed Miller/Netflix

• Nominees: Baby Reindeer, Fargo, Lessons in Chemistry, Ripley, True Detective: Night Country
• Predicted Winner:Baby Reindeer

This one’s a tough choice. Although I’m rooting for Lessons in Chemistry, I’ve got a feeling it will be outshined by Baby Reindeer—a Netflix fan favorite adapted from Richard Gadd’s autobiographical one-man show. The series has solid viewership, glowing critic reviews, and 11 Emmy nods.

Courtesy of FX

• Nominees: Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs)
• Predicted Winner: Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Jeremy Allen White dethroned Jason Sudeikis as last year’s winner, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out on top once again. Although this category is packed with great nominees, White stands out as a rare talent who consistently delivers a brilliant, layered performance as Chef Carmy.

Disney/Gilles Mingasson

• Nominees: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building), Maya Rudolph (Loot), Jean Smart (Hacks), Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale)
• Predicted Winner: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)

Now this is what I call a stacked category. There’s Jean Smart, who already has five Emmys under her belt, and Ayo Edebiri, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023. Then, of course, there’s Selena Gomez, who landed her first (and well-deserved) Emmy nod. But as much as I’d like to see her take home a “W,” I fully expect Quinta Brunson to walk away with a back-to-back victory. (She won the same category during last year’s ceremony.)

David Lee/Prime Video

• Nominees: Idris Elba (Hijack), Donald Glover (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Walton Goggins (Fallout), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shōgun), Dominic West (The Crown)
• Predicted Winner: Donald Glover (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)

This one could be a toss-up between Sanada and Glover. But thanks to the latter’s irresistible charm and solid chemistry with his co-star, Maya Erskine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith became a huge success and led to a season two renewal. It’s no wonder it received 16 Emmy nominations.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

• Nominees: Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show), Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Maya Erskine (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Anna Sawai (Shōgun), Imelda Staunton (The Crown)
• Predicted Winner: Anna Sawai (Shōgun)

You may recognize the Japanese actress from Pachinko or Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, but Sawai earned her first Emmy nomination for her role as Toda Mariko in Shōgun. Critics have called her performance “breathtaking,” adding that she “possesses grace, poise, strength, and spirit,” so it seems very likely that Sawai will walk home with her first Emmy.

Philippe Antonello/Netflix

• Nominees: Matt Bomer (Fellow Travelers), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), Jon Hamm (Fargo), Tom Hollander (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans), Andrew Scott (Ripley)
• Predicted Winner: Andrew Scott (Ripley)

Anyone who has seen Ripley will agree that Scott is captivating as Tom—and several critics have called his performance the best portrayal of Ripley to date. Scott has been nominated for an Emmy three times, but I predict he’ll secure his first win come September.

Brownie Harris/Hulu

• Nominees: Jodie Foster (True Detective Night Country), Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry), Juno Temple (Fargo), Sofia Vergara (Griselda), Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans)
• Predicted Winner: Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry)

While this is anyone’s category, my money is on Brie Larson, who brought the inspiring Elizabeth Zott to life in the most compelling way.

Source: PureWow