Who Will Win a 2024 Emmy Award? My Official Predictions, Including Best Drama Series & More
On the morning of July 14, I gave Tony Hale and Sheryl Lee Ralph my undivided attention as they announced the full list of 2024 Emmy nominations. As I expected, all of the categories were stacked, including standout actors (like Jeremy Allen White) and popular TV shows, like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building and Shōgun. Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego said in a statement, “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.”
Although the 2024 Emmy nominations have been out for quite some time, there’s only one thing still on my mind: Who will take home a highly coveted statuette on September 15? Is anyone poised to make history?
Here, all the celebs I think will walk away with an Emmy Award—including a few surprises.
Outstanding Comedy Series
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 currently boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, and according to The Wrap, the premiere made ratings history, drawing 5.91 million total viewers and a 1.84 rating in the key broadcast demo. Sure, there's a chance The Bear will reclaim its title, but I'm predicting this ABC sitcom will steal the show this year.
Outstanding Drama Series
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 putting my money on Shōgun. The historical drama, which has already been renewed for a second and third season, made history as the first Japanese-language series to be nominated for an Emmy in this category. Plus, it earned a whopping 25 Emmy nominations, putting it in the lead against all other contenders.
Outstanding Limited Series
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 boasts a solid viewership, glowing critic reviews and 11 Emmy nods.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
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.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
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.)
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
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. In case you missed this rave review by Greta Heggeness, PureWow's Senior Editor of News and Entertainment, it offers "a unique take on the classic storyline." It's no wonder it received 16 Emmy nominations.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
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.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
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.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
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.
Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.
