2021 Golden Globes: The Crown should sweep the drama category

The standard party circuit that precedes the Golden Globes ceremony — and where Hollywood Foreign Press Association members tend to drop hints about their potential votes — is foregone this season, thanks to the pandemic. Likewise, the telecast on NBC on Feb. 28 will be a virtual ceremony hosted by the popular duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Of all the awards shows, the virtual format will probably strike the Globes the worst, since it relies on the party atmosphere the most, with talent drinking and socializing at tables like they’re hobnobbing at a gala rather than an awards ceremony.

Nevertheless, the 78th Golden Globes will kick off awards show season, as usual, indicating that the entertainment industry is as robust as ever. Like the past few years, there doesn’t seem to be a clear favorite among the nominees, with the HFPA spreading the wealth across the spectrum and with no clear film or television series dominating.

A record three women (Emerald Fennell, Regina King, and Chloé Zhao) were nominated for Best Director Motion Picture, lopsiding that category for once. With the abundance of gifted female directors — and with 2020 having been a record year for their talent — its no wonder that Nomadland’s Zhao is considered the frontrunner (and my fond hope) to take home the prize for her revelatory film. But what about the television categories?

The Crown: Here we go again

Sure, Netflix’s The Crown has won before. Among its 11 Globe nominees, Claire Foy and Peter Morgan took home statues for Best Actress and Best Drama in 2017, as well as Olivia Coleman as the second iteration of Queen Elizabeth II in 2020 (Best Actress). The awards were heaped on for its sensational first season, and it’s been a regular awards season darling ever since. Foy and John Lithgow have also won Emmys (Actress for its second season and Supporting Actor in its first), but it has never won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama.

However, I believe this is the year for The Crown to do a mini-sweep in the Globes’ drama television categories. The reason I believe this is simply that its fourth season has been its best. After its lackluster third — despite a few spectacular episodes that centered around Prince Philip — the Netflix drama rebounded with some of its finest storytelling yet. As beloved as the first season was (thanks to a beguiling Foy as the young queen), The Crown has always struck a captivating balance of storytelling among all the main members of the royal household, male and female alike.

The Crown’s fourth season is different. Two new roles have stolen the spotlight: Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). The controversial fourth season has created a sensation, partly because of the storytelling that’s cut a little close to home, but also because newcomers Emma Corrin and Gillian Anderson have been sensational.

Entwined with Olivia Coleman’s Elizabeth, the storytelling this season has been dominated by these three captivating, strong women. It’s been a truly women-driven season, culminating in its most fascinating and cohesive outing. Is it any surprise that The Crown is predicted to do well at this year’s Globes? But among those nominees, who will win?

Prediction: No question about Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin is up against her co-star Olivia Coleman in the Best Television Actress – Drama Series category. (Side note: Coleman’s also nominated for The Father, where she’s even better.) Corrin is also competing with established names such as Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Laura Linney (Ozark), and Sarah Paulson (Ratched).

Although Corrin is the novice here, if there was one performance on TV that was talked about last year, it’s been her Diana. Corrin’s embodiment of the late princess has been a revelation. This will also be her only outing in the role. (Elizabeth Debicki has very large shoes to fill for season 5.) Although Coleman has grown into the role in her final season, Corrin is the overwhelming favorite, and no one else comes close in this category.

Gillian Anderson as Best Supporting Actress

Another actress who chewed up the scenery, Gillian Anderson is partly responsible for making The Crown’s fourth season its most excellent yet. Anderson’s take on “The Iron Lady” was a marvel. Also nominated in this category, her co-star, Helena Bonham-Carter (as Princess Margaret), doesn’t even compare. (I still don’t understand why she was nominated again: She was fine, but not awards-season worthy, especially with diversity still being an issue!)

Like Corrin, we’re blessed with Anderson’s beautiful portrayal for just a single season, but in that season, she and Corrin were everything on The Crown.

Prediction: Anderson can join Corrin in celebration later tonight.

Let’s not forget the men on The Crown

If the women have had the lion’s share of attention this season, Josh O’Connor has stood out and allowed Prince Charles to shine. It would have been easy to be bowled over by Corrin’s spell-binding Diana, but O’Connor’s chemistry with her (even though he mostly fought with her) has generated deserving accolades.

It’s been a nuanced performance that’s developed in detail from season 3. Even though he’s in a category with luminary names such as Al Pacino (Hunters) and standouts like Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk, I believe O’Connor will complete a triumvirate of Crown actor wins.

The Crown for Best Drama

I mentioned The Crown’s fourth season is its best, right? The Netflix series about the Windsors has been on the radar for the past few years. Sure, The Mandalorian was phenomenal. The Disney+ series and The Crown were probably the two best dramas to come out last year, but between them, I put money on The Crown with the slighter edge.

Side note: Anthony Hopkins should win, but won’t

If there’s one movie that’s gotten short shaft this year (or last, really), it’s been The Father, Florian Zeller’s stunning film about an aging man resisting his daughter’s assistance as he suffers from dementia. Based on Zeller’s play of the same name, it was my favorite movie (that didn’t come out, due to the pandemic) from Sundance last year. It has since been released in limited fashion and will hit theaters nation-wide next month (and will be the first movie I head out for, thank you very much).

You really should support this gem of a movie. The film tells the story from Anthony’s (yes, same name, Hopkins) perspective, and I guarantee, you will never look at dementia the same again. It’s too bad this movie didn’t get a full-court release, which I think hampered it for awards season. If it had, I think it would be a frontrunner for Best Picture, although I loved Nomadland as well (and predict it will win).

I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of Hopkins‘ best performances, if not his best. Really. He has the misfortune of being up against the late Chadwick Boseman, who deserves to (and likely will) win for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Also nominated, Gary Oldman was fantastic in Mank. But of all the performances last year, Hopkins’ Anthony moved me the most, and it’s a shame if he doesn’t receive recognition.

The 78th Golden Globe Awards will air on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.

Who do you think will win tonight? Who are your favorites who you are rooting for? Drop me a line with your thoughts in the comments down below.