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

Still from The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Image via FX

Limited Series or Movie: Series, Movie, and Lead Acting

Outstanding Limited Series

Nominees: American Crime, Fargo, Roots, The Night Manager, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Winner: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Like Game of Thrones, American Crime Story had a lot of buzz during its run earlier this year, almost all of it positive. Fantastic writing, directing, and acting all around elevated it. Though Fargo and The Night Manager could make a case that they each deserve the award instead, American Crime Story will likely drive away with this one.

Outstanding Television Movie

Nominees: A Very Murray Christmas, All the Way, Confirmation, Luther, Sherlock: The Abominable Bride

Winner: All the Way

You put Bryan Cranston back in a role he’s already won a Tony for, pair him up with Jay Roach in the director’s chair, who’s done other political movies for HBO like Game Change and Recount, and you watch the magic happen. Cranston anchors this movie, but Melissa Leo, Anthony Mackie, and Frank Langella are all stellar as well. If it isn’t All the Way, it’ll be Confirmation, and HBO can add more to its haul.

Outstanding Lead Actress

Nominees: Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), Felicity Huffman (American Crime), Audra McDonald (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill), Sarah Paulson (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story), Lili Taylor (American Crime), Kerry Washington (Confirmation)

Winner: Sarah Paulson

Why bet against American Crime Story in this category? Paulson’s work as Marcia Clark made the prosecutor human again, particularly in “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.” In a cast full of great performances, hers stood out head and shoulders above the rest…with one exception, right below.

Outstanding Lead Actor

Nominees: Bryan Cranston (All the Way), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock: The Abominable Bride), Idris Elba (Luther), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story), Tom Hiddleston (The Night Manager), Courtney B. Vance (American Crime Story)

Winner: Courtney B. Vance

Vance would be the exception to the statement that Sarah Paulson outshone everyone else in American Crime Story this year. As lead defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, he again took someone that we thought we knew and revealed depths we hadn’t seen before.

Next: Limited Series or Movie: Supporting Acting, Writing, Directing