Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
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Visit each individual category, according to the awards show from THE EMMYS HUB
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(DRAFT>>>PRE-SEASON>>>REGULAR SEASON>>>POST SEASON)
2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE
UPDATED: Aug 26, 2021
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: A late entry at the end of the eligibility period, dramatic retelling of the real-life back-channel negotiations of the pivotal 1990s Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, “Oslo,” feels incredibly timely. With the star power of Ruth Wilson and Andrew Scott combined with HBO’s savvy campaign tactics, the Bartlett Sher feature could push past its competitors.
One of two films from Amazon Prime Video in this race, “Sylvie’s Love,” the Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha vehicle, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival before getting picked up by the streamer. It entered into both television and film awards categories in its precursor run to the Emmys. It was shut out at the Globes (where it competed in musical or comedy film) and at SAG (where it submitted into the TV races). Though the TV Academy put it on this ballot, likely because of the power of its streamer, a win feels like a longer shot. If the television distinction is not swiftly and consistently embraced, it may be hard to justify awarding it with a trophy for that medium.
You can’t count out Dolly Parton in any visual media or musical art form. Her partnership with Netflix, amid a passionless crop of contenders, and you may just find the now four-time Emmy nominee getting her first trophy from the TV Academy. (With multiple Grammy Awards, if she wins she will be halfway to EGOT status.) What also helps is that the Debbie Allen-directed film is just one of two in this category that has a second nomination (in choreography). Admittedly, though, more serious fare usually takes this category, so it may come down to the mood of the voters while checking off their ballots.
Beloved news anchor Robin Roberts’ name likely did wonders for the biopic feature “Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia” that tells the story of New Orleans-born crooner Mahalia Jackson. But while it has star power (including lead Danielle Brooks) and is definitely one of the higher quality ventures from the cable network, this is the only nod it managed. If voters feel it was vastly underrepresented, they could go all in on it here. It’s the dark horse of the category.
“Uncle Frank,” the other Amazon project, had minimal buzz on the circuit but was likely helped onto this ballot by Oscar-and Emmy-winning writer and director Alan Ball and the sheer star power of Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, the late Lois Smith, Margo Martindale and Stephen Root. Its problem, like its network counterpart, is that some critics groups (such as Indiana Film Journalists and San Diego Film Critics) recognized it with film awards. That muddying of waters can have drastic consequences in the race to Emmy. Just ask Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe.” “Uncle Frank’s” nomination is its reward.
The viewing platform for Emmy nominees opens on Aug. 13, with final-round voting beginning on Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. PT until Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. PT.
Check out the full rankings of the category’s nominees in the chart below.
ALL SUBMISSIONS & RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best TV Movie)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
This category has continually undergone rule changes and inceptions over the years, making it misleading to account for significant historical wins and nominations. "Black Mirror" is a series with the most wins at three while "Sherlock" has the most nominations at four.
On the network front, HBO has the most wins in this category with 22 while NBC is second with nine. Netflix is the first and only streamer to have won this category - for three consecutive years with "Black Mirror."
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Casting for a Limited, Anthology or TV Movie
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
- Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, is given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards recognize excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes - Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements) and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 73rd Emmy Awards are scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 pm est on CBS and on-demand on sister streamer Paramount Plus.