Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Hugh Laurie as Richard Onslow Roper on The Night Manager (AMC)
Jesse Plemons as Ed Blumquist on Fargo (FX)
David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
John Travolta as Robert Shapiro on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan on Fargo (FX)
James Stancil: Who Should/Will Win: David Schwimmer, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story Anthony Punt: Who Should/Will Win: Jesse Plemons, Fargo - Plemons is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors—just check out his work in Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad. As small-town butcher Ed Blumquist, Plemons serves as a great foil to Kristen Dunst’s Peggy while exhibiting a quiet desperation of his own. Felicia Kudronowicz: Who Should Win: Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - With three actors from The People v. O.J. Simpson in this category, it is a little more difficult to decipher who will get the Emmy. I think it should be Sterling K. Brown, but I would be happy with any of the three. Who Will Win: Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - He seems to be a critic favorite and deservedly so. Jean Henegan: Who Should Win: Bokeem Woodbine, Fargo - Honestly, I would pleased with any winner in this category, save for John Travolta, who was the weakest link in the stellar cast of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. But Woodbine put together a performance that shone so incredibly bright among a cast of heavy hitters that I would love to see him take the award. Who Will Win: Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - Like Woodbine, he crushed every scene he was in and is likely going to walk away with some hardware for his great work.
Kathy Bates as Iris on American Horror Story: Hotel (FX)
Olivia Colman as Angela Burr on The Night Manager (AMC)
Regina King as Terri LaCroix on American Crime (ABC)
Melissa Leo as First Lady Lady Bird Johnson on All the Way (HBO)
Sarah Paulson as Sally McKenna on American Horror Story: Hotel (FX)
Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt on Fargo (FX)
James Stancil: Who Should/Will Win: Regina King, American Crime Anthony Punt: Who Should/Will Win: Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Hotel - Bates’ acting resume is proof that she knows horror, which is makes it no surprise that she nails the role of Iris, the creepy Hotel Cortez manager in American Horror Story: Hotel. Few actors could make bifocals seem so terrifying. Felicia Kudronowicz: Who Should Win: Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Hotel - Sarah Paulson is one of the only reasons I still watch American Horror Story. She deserves this award for keeping this show an interesting and entertaining anthology. Who Will Win: Regina King, American Crime - I haven't seen any of the other nominees in this category, but King won last year so she might get it again. Jean Henegan: Who Should Win: Jean Smart, Fargo - Smart was excellent as the calm, cool, and collected head of the Gerhardt crime family. Having spent decades in the business, she deserves to take home an Emmy for her great work on Fargo. Who Will Win: Regina King, American Crime - King has had a heck of a year, turning in two spectacular performances on American Crime and The Leftovers. But so long as no one from the tired and increasingly awful American Horror Story wins, I'll be happy.
Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson on All the Way (HBO)
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock: "The Abominable Bride" (PBS)
Idris Elba as DCI John Luther on Luther (BBC America)
Cuba Gooding Jr. as O. J. Simpson on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine on The Night Manager (AMC)
Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
James Stancil: Who Should/Will Win: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story Anthony Punt: Who Should/Will Win: Bryan Cranston, All the Way - Cranston inhabits the larger-than-life role of President Lyndon B. Johnson so completely that you forget all about the actor behind the coke-bottle spectacles. At the same time, Cranston gives LBJ a human element not often seen in big or small screen portrayals of the former President. Felicia Kudronowicz: Who Should Win: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - Courtney B. Vance was captivating in this role and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get this one. Who Will Win: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - I'm going to start sounding like a broken record, but this show is going to win all the awards. Jean Henegan: Who Should Win: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - It isn't easy to take on the role of a real person, especially when that person is so well known throughout the world. But Vance embodied Johnnie Cochran so fully without falling into caricature, that I hope he wins this much-deserved Emmy. Who Will Win: Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - While he faces some stiff competition from Emmy stalwarts in Cranston and Cumberbatch, I cannot see anyone else taking this one home.
Kirsten Dunst as Peggy Blumquist on Fargo (FX)
Felicity Huffman as Leslie Graham on American Crime (ABC)
Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday on Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (HBO)
Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Lili Taylor as Anne Blaine on American Crime (ABC)
Kerry Washington as Anita Hill on Confirmation (HBO)
James Stancil: Who Should/Will Win: Felicity Huffman, American Crime Anthony Punt: Who Should/Will Win: Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill - McDonald neither looks nor sings much like the tragic torch singer Billie Holiday, yet it is a testament to McDonald’s talent and commitment to the role that you’re taken in anyway. McDonald portrays Holiday warts and all, while still locating the essential humanity that made her such a seminal artist. Felicia Kudronowicz: Who Should Win: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - Sarah Paulson kills it in every role she takes. This one was particularly impressive- not to mention those wigs. She hit every note through her portrayal of Marcia Clark. Who Will Win: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - Once again I'll be surprised if this award doesn't go to Paulson. Jean Henegan: Who Should Win: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - As with Vance's work as Johnnie Cochran, Paulson absolutely nailed everything about Marcia Clark. But she had a much more difficult job- infusing humanity into a person that so many despised. Paulson did her job with aplomb, and turned Clark into the emotional heart and soul of the series. Who Will Win: Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - If there are any locks in this year's Emmys, Paulson's win for her work as Marcia Clark is one.
American Crime (ABC)
Fargo (FX)
The Night Manager (AMC)
The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Roots (History)
James Stancil: Who Should/Will Win: American Crime Anthony Punt: Who Should/Will Win: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - This miniseries may not be the best written or directed work in its category—it may not even be the best piece about OJ that came out this year, given the superior ESPN documentary OJ: Made in America. But even with its flaws, it somehow made for compelling television. Felicia Kudronowicz: Who Should Win: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - I really don’t think there’s any contest here. The People v. O.J. Simpson was definitely the show to watch this year, and I will be shocked if it doesn’t win all the categories it is nominated in. Who Will Win: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - Everyone has been raving about this show, I don't see any other possible outcome here. Jean Henegan: Who Should Win: Fargo - I loved The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, so I won't be too disappointed when it wins this category, but Fargo managed to get better in its second season. The cast was spectacular, the story was riveting, and the writing was top notch. Who Will Win: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story - An extremely well done limited series that managed to take a well-known event and show it to us with new eyes.
