Emmy Nominations 2021: Vanity Fair Predicts Who Will Win

After a 12 months of tv that felt greater than a bit of uncommon given the pandemic that surrounded it, the 2021 Emmy Awards can be a chance to have fun the exhibits that obtained us by way of, whether or not through fantastical escapism, well-costumed romance, or the optimistic knowledge of a sure soccer coach. Just like last year, Vainness Truthful’s specialists have their eyes on a selected trio of exhibits—this 12 months it’s The Crown, Ted Lasso, and The Queen’s Gambit—to take dwelling the majority of the prizes, however there may be additionally loads of room for shock. Will The Handmaid’s Story be the comeback child? Will the ultimate season of Pose soar to the highest? Was it actually Agatha all alongside? Learn forward to search out out, and tune in to the Emmy Awards on Sunday night time to see if we obtained it proper.

DRAMA SERIES

The Boys
Bridgerton
PREDICTED WINNER: The Crown
The Handmaid’s Story
Lovecraft Nation
The Mandalorian
Pose
This Is Us

Within the fruits of its lengthy, triumphant awards season, Netflix’s The Crown ought to lastly win the highest prize for its acclaimed fourth season. The interval drama has gained each equal precursor, from awards given by key trade guilds just like the PGA and SAG to these given by notable exterior teams on the Critics’ Selection Awards and Golden Globes, and located a completely new viewers with its wealthy rendering of the Charles-Diana saga. Within the time since its airing, a critical challenger has not emerged to overhaul it, even with the assist for Pose’s last season or the sheer reputation of The Mandalorian. It’s time for The Crown to lastly take the, effectively, you recognize. —David Canfield

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling Ok. Brown, This Is Us
Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Nation
PREDICTED WINNER: Josh O’Connor, The Crown
Regé-Jean Web page, Bridgerton
Billy Porter, Pose
Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason 

Tighter than it first appeared, this race comes down to 2 very totally different contenders. The sensible cash may very well be on Billy Porter, contemplating the general Emmy efficiency of Pose for its last season—the FX drama has already gained three trophies this 12 months through the Inventive Arts awards—and the truth that Porter has already gained this class. He’s nominated once more for a real showcase of a season that’s exhausting to disclaim. However as Schitt’s Creek proved final 12 months, the Emmys love a sweep, and The Crown—with its deep ensemble and clear total front-runner standing—appears tailored for one. Josh O’Connor entering into the sequence’ middle together with his indelible Prince Charles is prone to discover embrace amid the wave. —David Canfield

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Uzo Aduba, In Therapy
Olivia Colman, The Crown
PREDICTED WINNER: Emma Corrin, The Crown
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Story
Mj Rodriguez, Pose
Jurnee Smollett, Lovecraft Nation

Emma Corrin’s devastating breakout flip as Princess Diana sits comfortably atop this checklist—which feels a bit unusual to say, provided that she’s surrounded by awards heavyweights like Oscar winner (and costar!) Olivia Colman and multi-Emmy winners Uzo Aduba and Elisabeth Moss. However so it goes. And actually, her chief competitors might be one other first-time nominee—Mj Rodriguez, repping the surging Pose and having already made history as the primary trans nominee within the class’s existence. Will voters bounce on the alternative to make much more historical past? It’s a protracted shot, however don’t rely her out. —David Canfield

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian
O-T Fagbenle, The Handmaid’s Story
John Lithgow, Perry Mason
Tobias Menzies, The Crown
Max Minghella, The Handmaid’s Story
Chris Sullivan, This Is Us
Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Story
PREDICTED WINNER: Michael Ok. Williams, Lovecraft Nation

Voting closed earlier than the tragic passing of Michael Ok. Williams on September 6, however the actor, whose work included The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, was already predicted to win this award for his efficiency in HBO’s now canceled Lovecraft Nation. Winners of this class are sometimes well-respected veteran actors (Peter Dinklage, Ben Mendelsohn, John Lithgow) who voters appear to be honoring not just for their present undertaking, however their complete physique of labor. And that might be the case for Williams—a five-time Emmy nominee—this time round. It might be a bittersweet solution to keep in mind a beloved member of the performing group who created a few of TV’s most memorable and susceptible characters. —Rebecca Ford

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES  

PREDICTED WINNER: Gillian Anderson, The Crown
Madeline Brewer, The Handmaid’s Story
Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Story
Aunjanue Ellis, Lovecraft Nation
Emerald Fennell, The Crown
Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid’s Story
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Story

Dowd gained in 2017 for her work on The Handmaid’s Story, however with this crowded class stacked along with her costars from the present, they’ll possible cut up the votes. And Anderson has at all times been the front-runner anyway for her transformative efficiency as Margaret Thatcher within the fourth season of the Netflix sequence. She already gained the Globe earlier this 12 months, and in all probability will beat out her personal costars to take the Emmy as effectively. —Rebecca Ford

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Bridgerton, “Diamond of the First Water,” Julie Anne Robinson
Pose, “Collection Finale,” Steven Canals
The Crown, “Fairytale,” Benjamin Caron
The Crown, “Battle,” Jessica Hobbs
PREDICTED WINNER: The Handmaid’s Story, “The Wilderness,” Liz Garbus
The Mandalorian, “Chapter 9: The Marshal,” Jon Favreau

There’s a robust correlation between this class and the best-drama-series Emmy, which ought to give the sting to drama front-runner The Crown, and notably the propulsive season 4 finale, “Battle.” However we’re recognizing potential upsets within the beloved sequence finale for Pose and notably the Handmaid’s Story season 4 finale, “The Wilderness,” directed by Oscar-nominated documentarian Liz Garbus. Given how a lot The Handmaid’s Story outperformed expectations within the nominations, we suspect this is likely to be a spot for the present to shock once more. —Katey Wealthy

WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Lovecraft Nation, “Sunset,” Misha Inexperienced
Pose, “Collection Finale,” Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Woman J
The Boys, “What I Know,” Rebecca Sonnenshine
PREDICTED WINNER: The Crown, “Battle,” Peter Morgan
The Handmaid’s Story, “Dwelling,” Yahlin Chang
The Mandalorian, “Chapter 13: The Jedi,” Dave Filoni
The Mandalorian, “Chapter 16: The Rescue,” Jon Favreau