Culturess’ Emmy Predictions for 2016: Will HBO and FX Clean Up?

Credit: Helen Sloan/HBO

Drama: Series and Lead Acting

Outstanding Drama Series

Nominees: The Americans (FX),  Better Call Saul (AMC), Downton Abbey (PBS), Game of Thrones (HBO), Homeland (Showtime), House of Cards (Netflix), Mr. Robot (USA)

Winner: Game of Thrones

Nope, sorry. No show dominated the conversation as much as Game of Thrones did this past year. The show deserves its hype, though. “The Door,” “Battle of the Bastards,” and “The Winds of Winter” basically destroyed everything in their wake, though the other seven episodes also turned in great television. It will repeat its 2015 win.

Outstanding Lead Actress

Nominees: Claire Danes (Homeland), Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder), Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Keri Russell (The Americans), Robin Wright (House of Cards)

Winner: Viola Davis

What’s the Russian for This category is ridiculously stacked? Seriously, any one of these actresses could take the Emmy and it’d be celebrated. Russell and Wright had great seasons especially, and Maslany and Henson remain highlights (or literally half the reason you watch) either of their shows. Danes, too, did well. But sometimes there’s such a thing as inertia in television, as Davis won last year, and she carries Murder.

Outstanding Lead Actor

Nominees: Kyle Chandler (Bloodline), Rami Malek (Mr. Robot), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)

Winner: Matthew Rhys

Rhys could indeed pull this off despite having a nearly-as-stacked category as Keri Russell does. Not to denounce any of the other nominees, but The Americans, like Thrones, just had possibly its best season ever. One can easily lay that at Rhys’ and Russell’s feet. Malek may very well sneak off with the victory, though, and Spacey always looms large as Frank Underwood. Keep an eye on this one.

Next: Drama: Supporting Acting, Writing and Directing