John Boyega in "Small Axe"
This category is by no means the highest profile of the limited series/TV movie/anthology series acting races, but it does include a handful of strong contenders. The past three years have given us one show that earned three nominations – Watchmen, When They See Us, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace – and it’s certainly possible that this will be the fourth consecutive year of the tripling. This is also one of only two acting categories this year that has more contenders than in 2020, with 140 men in the running…
NON-LIMITED SERIES
One of the best places to start is to look at the different formats that are eligible in this category. John Boyega (Small Axe) benefits from being an inarguable lead in one of the five films that are part of his anthology series, giving him considerably more screen time than Shaun Parkes, another possibility, his likeliest internal competition. Anthology series Soulmates also gives Kingsley Ben-Adir a leg up because he gets an episode to himself, and he’s also the only male performer submitted from his show. Anthony Mackie gets a similar one-shot showcase in Solos, while Morgan Freeman and Dan Stevens, who have voice roles that run through multiple episodes, are also possible. I’d be thrilled to see either Jimmi Simpson or Billy Porter show up for The Twilight Zone, a series that could have campaigned any number of its stars.
Kingsley Ben-Adir in "Soulmates"
Daveed Diggs earned a Tony Award and a SAG nomination for his role in the popular (filmed) stage production of Hamilton, and he’s got the best odds from among a cast that also includes Anthony Ramos, Jonathan Groff, and Christopher Jackson. He’s also competing against himself, but we’ll get to that in a moment. The other project that I don’t think quite qualifies as a limited series (in my mind, at least) is the two-night event The Comey Rule, which stars Golden Globe-nominated Brendan Gleeson as President Donald Trump. There are also a number of awards-friendly actors, like Kingsley Ben-Adir, Jonathan Banks, Michael Kelly, Scoot McNairy, and Steven Pasquale, on the ballot from that show who are playing real-life political figures, but it’s hard to imagine anyone earning votes over Gleeson.
DOUBLE NOMINEES?
I mentioned Kingsley Ben-Adir twice already but don’t think he stands much of a shot for either of his performances, even if his Barack Obama was quite impressive. Daveed Diggs could score for both Hamilton and The Good Lord Bird, though his costar Joshua Caleb Johnson in the latter might eclipse him for that project. And then there’s an actor who somehow isn’t an Emmy nominee yet despite his acclaimed work in American Horror Story over the years: Evan Peters. Earlier on in the TV season, he was looking like a dark horse as "Quicksilver" for WandaVision, but then he gave a more memorable and beloved performance in Mare of Easttown, where his internal competition, Guy Pearce, didn’t have nearly as sizeable a role.
MULTIPLE CONTENDERS
For most of the now-concluded TV season, the most popular limited series was inarguably The Queen’s Gambit. Despite having a relatively small role, Bill Camp earned a SAG nomination in a category that includes both lead and supporting actors, so he’s a good bet to earn an Emmy nomination as the chess mentor/janitor. Thomas Brodie-Sangster is probably the most recognizable male actor in the ensemble, and Harry Melling and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd could also show up if Emmy voters go nuts for the series. The Underground Railroad features an Emmy nominee from last year, William Jackson Harper, as well as a remarkable young actor, Chase W. Dillon, who absolutely deserves a spot. Voters paying attention to early episodes of the show may also want to honor Aaron Pierre, who makes a distinct impression as Caesar. It’s hard to know how returning series Fargo will play for season four, but each of its previous iterations earned at least one bid in this category. I would be ecstatic if the truly great Timothy Olyphant or the superb Glynn Turman was recognized this time around, though Ben Whishaw, who won this prize two years ago for A Very English Scandal, would also be a fine choice.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
There are two past Emmy winners who could return this year and don’t face strong internal competition: Donald Sutherland (The Undoing) and Courtney B. Vance (Genius: Aretha). Two other lesser known performers who could earn votes for well-received projects are Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) and Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin). Don’t count out Howells’ more famous costar Neil Patrick Harris, who never won an Emmy for How I Met Your Mother but does have five trophies, including one for guest-starring on Glee. There are still one hundred more actors on the ballot, so maybe we’ll get a good surprise when the nominations are announced. It doesn’t feel smart to predict Diggs missing, but maybe Hamilton doesn’t do that well?
PREDICTIONS
- John Boyega (Small Axe)
- Bill Camp (The Queen’s Gambit)
- Brendan Gleeson (The Comey Rule)
- Evan Peters (Mare of Easttown)
- William Jackson Harper (The Underground Railroad)
- Donald Sutherland (The Undoing)
Who do you think scores here?