Few past contenders returning leaves room for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series to include more “Yellowjackets” stars, and even Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”).
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 15 to June 26, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 12. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be presented over two consecutive nights on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with an edited presentation of the ceremonies to be broadcast on FXX at a later date. Finally, the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards take place on Monday, September 18, and air live on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
The State of the Race
Though it has not yet been confirmed, common sense would dictate putting “The White Lotus” star Jennifer Coolidge in the lead category for her work on Season 2, given how it’s her character’s continued storyline specifically that made the TV Academy for the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series-winning show to switch categories.
After she was unceremoniously cut off from finishing her acceptance speech for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series at last year’s Emmys, the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards allowed Coolidge to basically become the main character of their telecasts. She is in great standing to pull off the rare feat of winning an Emmy for the same role, but in a completely different category (“Orange is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba is the most recent example that comes to mind, having won in both a Comedy and a Drama category).
Coolidge’s primary competition would be Melanie Lynskey of the buzzy Showtime series “Yellowjackets.” The New Zealand-born star already has a Critics Choice Award under her belt and was assumed to have been the actress who came the closest to winning over “Euphoria” star Zendaya last year. With many female-led ensembles sitting out this particular Emmy year, Lynskey’s “Yellowjackets” teammates Tawny Cypress and Juliette Lewis stand a decent chance of joining her in receiving nominations for their work on Season 2.
Going back to Zendaya’s historic second Emmy win last year, her achievement opens the door for fellow young actors like “House of the Dragon” star Emma D’Arcy and “The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey to be embraced by the TV Academy. More seasoned actresses like Imelda Staunton (“The Crown”), Helen Mirren (“1923”), and Christine Baranski in her final season of “The Good Fight” stand a fighting chance of making it in as well.
Then, of course, are former Emmy nominees like Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”) and Betty Gilpin (“Mrs. Davis”) who the TV Academy continually have their eye on, and “The Handmaid’s Tale” star Elisabeth Moss, the only contender to have already won an Emmy for her current role.
Current Contenders (In Alphabetical Order):
Christine Baranski, “The Good Fight” (Paramount+)
Jennifer Coolidge, “The White Lotus” (HBO)
Morfydd Clark, “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (Amazon Prime Video)
Tawny Cypress, “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
Emma D’Ary, “House of the Dragon” (HBO)
Betty Gilpin, “Mrs. Davis” (Peacock)
Sharon Horgan, “Bad Sisters” (Apple TV+)
Juliette Lewis, “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
Melanie Lynskey, “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
Helen Mirren, “1923” (Paramount+)
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
Bella Ramsey, “The Last of Us” (HBO)
Keri Russell, “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
Imelda Staunton, “The Crown” (Netflix)
Hilary Swank, “Alaska Daily” (ABC)
More Drama Category Predictions:
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
To see IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 75th Emmy Awards click here.
Last Year’s Winner: Zendaya, “Euphoria”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: There are no possible streaks here in the traditional sense. It’s been a decade since an actress won this award in back-to-back years, and with “Euphoria” not coming back anytime soon, that will not change this year. That all said, Imelda Staunton does have a shot at becoming the third actress to win the Emmy for playing Queen Elizabeth II on “The Crown.” Her predecessors won for their second seasons in the role though, not their first.
Notable Ineligible Series: Britt Lower, “Severance” (Season 2 was not eligible); Zendaya, “Euphoria” (Season 3 was not eligible); Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show” (Season 3 was not eligible); Millie Bobby Brown, “Stranger Things” (Season 5 was not eligible); Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve” (ended); Laura Linney, “Ozark” (ended); Mandy Moore, “This is Us” (ended)
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