Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: June 23, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
It’s a common occurrence that the contending lead actors from limited series are an endless well of talent. Unfortunately, per Emmy rules, we’re likely to see five nominees, which isn’t enough to recognize the depth of talent in this year’s Emmy race.
An actor with multiple works in the running, Sebastian Stan, who is off his snub for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” has the Hulu movie “Fresh” to give in to the TV Academy’s appetite, but more so with his turn as Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in the examination series, “Pam and Tommy,” also from the streamer. The commitment he displays (along with a talking “private part”) is one of the memorable turns from this year’s stacked arena, but he could sneak through. It should be noted that the performance is much more technically impressive in the way he chooses to assemble the character. It’s more proof that Stan is only improving as he continues in the business. (Check out Stan’s “Variety Actors on Actors” episode with Jennifer Aniston)
The fierce acting of Ben Foster has been palpable for decades, with awards-worthy work in countless films such as “3:10 to Yuma” (2007) and “Hell or High Water” (2016). However, as the only feasible possibility to represent a television movie, with Barry Levinson’s drama “The Survivor,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, his work as boxer Harry Haft could bring him his first Emmy nom for a truly transformative performance.
While Colin Firth has an Oscar for his work as King George in “The King’s Speech” (2010), the British star has only one Emmy nom to his credit for playing Stuckart in the 2001 tv movie “Conspiracy.” As murder suspect Michael Peterson in HBO’s late-dropping limited series “The Staircase,” he delivers one of the strongest performances of his career, one that could become the eventual category favorite.
A self-proclaimed passion project that he’s been trying to bring to the screen for years, Samuel L. Jackson pours his heart and soul into “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.” With a sole Emmy nomination for an animated program (“Afro Samurai: Resurrection” in 2009) and fresh off his Honorary Oscar earlier this year, the love for one of the biggest blockbuster stars in history could be pronounced enough to push him past some more buzzy titles. (Check out Jackson’s full conversation on “Variety Actors on Actors” with Viola Davis)
Who can forget Michael Keaton’s heartbreaking acceptance speech after winning the SAG Awards for Hulu’s “Dopesick?” With the show already a leading contender for limited series, his work as Dr. Samuel Finnix could top any of his TV and film performances in history, giving his everything to a personal subject surrounding addiction in America. He’ll be tough to beat in this category.
One of the multiple examples of talented performers in our midst that should be a more prominent name in the biz, Himesh Patel, has exhibited great skill and passion with his choices in roles. There’s no better recent example than his work as Jeevan Chaudhary in HBO’s “Station Eleven,” which, if enough voters give their time, could surprise in many significant categories, including Patel.
An undervalued actor with over three decades of impressive performances in film and television, Joshua Jackson assembles one of his more complex acting turns in Peacock’s “Dr. Death.” While more of a longshot in this competitive field, his creation of Dr. Christopher Duntsch may produce a late-breaking swing that lands him in the lineup
Fresh off his second Oscar nomination for playing Jonathan Larson in “Tick, Tick … Boom!” (2021), Andrew Garfield takes on a religious and spiritual portrayal as Detective Jeb Pyre in the mystery-thriller “Under the Banner of Heaven” from FX. After dominating the box office, and his star reaching astronomical levels, he could pull a sweep a la Kate Winslet in “Mare of Easttown,” a similar feeling limited series. (Check out Garfield’s “Variety Actors on Actors” conversation with Zendaya)
What’s better than one Oscar Isaac project? Multiple Oscar Isaac projects, as the Latino star took over the Disney+ platform with the superhero hit “Moon Knight,” will keep him in the conversation for his incredible portrayal of a husband battling to save his marriage in the English remake “Scenes from a Marriage.” After his snub for “Show Me a Hero” in 2016, he’s owed his time in the spotlight by the TV Academy.
A chameleon for taking on characters, Jared Leto makes his long-awaited return to television after more than 25 years in the classic series “My So-Called Life,” playing WeWork founder Adam Newmann in the Apple limited series. With Emmy winner Anne Hathaway by his side, his transformation has been touted as one of his finest and could be memorable enough to stand out.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub
The nomination round of voting runs from June 16 to June 27. The official nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday, July 12.
The list of programs and potential nominees listed below is incomplete and is subject to change. The entire television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: Ewan McGregor, “Halston” (Netflix)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Lead Actor Limited)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. Many records have been held for wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
For wins: This category has had many rule changes and inceptions in its history, but it's worth noting that Laurence Olivier has the most wins in this category, with four, with Peter Ustinov behind him with three.
For nominations: Hal Holbrook has the most nominations in this category of any actor with seven, while Benedict Cumberbatch and Laurence Olivier follow close behind with six apiece.
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- 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 Competition Program
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Reality Host
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Outstanding Narrator
- Outstanding Structured Program
- Outstanding Unstructured Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
- Outstanding Documentary Filmmaking
- Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Outstanding Main Title Design
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
- Outstanding Music for Series
- Outstanding Music for Limited Series
- Outstanding Music and Lyrics
- Outstanding Music Supervision
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized 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 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.