Full Circle Forecast: The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards

Awards season is back! Our team here at Full Circle Cinema has a bevy of differing opinions regarding who or what deserves to win big at this year’s ceremonies. With Full Circle Forecast, we break down the nominees for the biggest categories and give personal predictions for who we think will take those coveted statuettes. 2021’s biggest television celebration is The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates the best of the best from the last year. With some big surprise nominations and a highly anticipated ceremony hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and held outdoors, here is who we think will take home the evening’s biggest prizes.

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Black-ish (ABC)
• Cobra Kai (Netflix)
• Emily in Paris (Netflix)
• The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
• Hacks (HBO Max)
• The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
• PEN15 (Hulu)
• Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Prediction: Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

After coming up big at the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremonies, Ted Lasso seems poised to continue that trend of success at this year’s Emmys. When season one first premiered on Apple TV+ last summer, the show had a small, devoted following (myself included). However, over the last year, support for the show has increased tenfold. Notably, Jason Sudeikis shines as the titular character and is surrounded by a charming supporting cast that bolsters the series in every way. Expect Ted Lasso to continue to dominate the pop culture narrative for a long time to come following the season two finale occurring a few weeks before this year’s Emmys.

Outstanding Drama Series 

• The Boys (Prime Video)
• Bridgerton (Netflix)
• The Crown (Netflix)
• The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
• Lovecraft Country (HBO)
• The Mandalorian (Disney+)
• Pose (FX)
• This Is Us (NBC)

Prediction: Lovecraft Country (HBO)

A series that has been criminally underrepresented over the last few awards ceremonies is HBO’s groundbreaking Lovecraft Country. Anchored by Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors‘ incredible performances, Misha Green’s Lovecraft Country is a thrilling take on Lovecraftian lore that proves demons and monsters are not the only things that cause fear in the hearts of men. The series serves as a poignantly relevant series. Using the past horrors with examples like the funeral of Emmett Till and the Tulsa race massacre, the series is equal parts thrilling and heartbreaking. While many experts will pick The Crown for this category at the Emmy Awards, my heart is with the folks whose creativity made this show HBO’s hottest ticket over the last year.

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

• I May Destroy You (HBO)
• Mare of Easttown (HBO)
• The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
• The Underground Railroad (Prime Video)
• WandaVision (Disney+)

Prediction: WandaVision (Disney+)

While the year is far from over, nothing has controlled social media conversations quite like Marvel’s WandaVision did for nine weeks earlier this year. Marvel took a giant leap of faith with the series launching Phase 4 of the MCU following Avengers: Endgame. From wild fan theories to incredibly heartfelt dramatic beats within storylines, the series stands as one of the most unique and well-rounded shows of the year. Constantly toeing the line between drama and comedy, superhero action and emotional speeches, Jac Schaeffer created something special. Additionally, while many experts may pick Mare of Easttown in this category, the Emmys know Marvel fans are tuning in to see their show win big. Therefore, look for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to snag its first Emmy Awards this year with an eye firmly on Disney+ for the future of the franchise.

READ: Why ‘WandaVision’ Was The MCU Series We Needed After 2020

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson, Sr. on Black-ish (ABC)
• Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky on The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
• William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher on Shameless (Showtime)
• Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso on Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
• Kenan Thompson as Kenan Williams on Kenan (NBC)

Prediction: Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso on Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Jason Sudeikis is quickly becoming one of the most beloved men on the internet. His portrayal as the plucky coach Ted Lasso has become a cultural phenomenon. In fact, a quick hashtag search of #TedLasso on Twitter will display fans all around the world cheering him on. With Sudeikis serving as the show’s lead actor as well as one of the creators/producers, it’s not hard to notice the amount of love he has for the character. From his quick wit in the face of adversity to his painful moments living with anxiety behind closed doors, Ted Lasso is a career-defining role for the Saturday Night Live alum. Additionally, with big wins at a host of other award shows this year already, Sudeikis is clearly the frontrunner within his category.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Aidy Bryant as Annie Easton on Shrill (Hulu)
• Kaley Cuoco as Cassie Bowden on The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
• Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett on Mom (CBS)
• Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson on Black-ish (ABC)
• Jean Smart as Deborah Vance on Hacks (HBO Max)

Prediction: Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow “Bow” Johnson on Black-ish (ABC)

For years, Black-ish has been one of ABC‘s highest-rated comedies, and Tracee Ellis Ross is one of the biggest reasons why. Bow pushes boundaries. However, she does so with a more celebratory tone that educates as effortlessly as it entertains. While the series enlists a bevy of strong Black female characters, Ross’ leading role commands the attention of the viewers and her co-stars alike. Additionally, this might be the most fun and endearing acceptance speech at this year’s Emmy Awards.

READ: Full Circle Cinema At The Movies: Volume 1

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

• Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson on This Is Us (NBC)
• Jonathan Majors as Atticus Freeman on Lovecraft Country (HBO)
• Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles on The Crown (Netflix)
• Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings on Bridgerton (Netflix)
• Billy Porter as Pray Tell on Pose (FX)
• Matthew Rhys as Perry Mason on Perry Mason (HBO)

Prediction: Jonathan Majors as Atticus Freeman on Lovecraft Country (HBO)

It’s easy to see Jonathan Majors has what it takes to become a major player in Hollywood for years to come. With memorable turns in films like The Last Black Man in San Francisco and Da 5 Bloods, the young actor most recently broke the internet when he made a surprise appearance in Marvel’s Loki. With a clearcut future as the MCU’s next big bad secured, it’s only a matter of time before Majors begins his own collection of awards and bragging rights. And, thanks to his gripping portrayal of Atticus Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country, that collection is likely to begin at this year’s Emmy Awards.

READ: Badcasting ‘Marvel’s Loki’

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Uzo Aduba as Dr. Brooke Taylor on In Treatment (HBO)
• Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown (Netflix)
• Emma Corrin as Princess Diana on The Crown (Netflix)
• Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne / Offred on The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
• Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Evangelista on Pose (FX)
• Jurnee Smollett as Letitia “Leti” Lewis on Lovecraft Country (HBO)

Prediction: Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Evangelista on Pose (FX)

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has a chance to firmly stand on the right side of history this year. Mj Rodriguez is the first transgender woman to earn an Emmy Awards nomination in a major acting category for her work in FX’s Pose. Personally, I think she should become the first transgender woman to earn an Emmy Award victory in a major acting category as well. Her character Blanca goes on an absolutely beautiful journey upon receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis. After creating the House of Evangelista, Blanca becomes the parental figure that is missing from her community. Moreover, she provides for and guides a number of children as they struggle while running a business of her own. Moreover, Rodriguez brings grace and power to every scene she’s in and deserves her moment in the spotlight for it.

READ: ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ Novel Review

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Paul Bettany as The Vision on WandaVision (Disney+)
• Hugh Grant as Jonathan Fraser on The Undoing (HBO)
• Ewan McGregor as Halston on Halston (Netflix)
• Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton on Hamilton (Disney+)
• Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr on Hamilton (Disney+)

Prediction: Paul Bettany as The Vision on WandaVision (Disney+)

Marvel Studios will continue its history-making evening with another big win for WandaVision. Between his hilarious antics as a clueless husband in the first few episodes to some pretty intense action sequences against himself as White Vision, Bettany pulls off some pretty remarkable acting feats. The actor delivers a line that will live in infamy with “but what is grief, if not love persevering?” with such realism that fans were brought to tears. Additionally, the season finale shows that sometimes a huge action sequence is not always the best way to properly display a superhero’s abilities. Bettany began his Marvel adventure as the voice of Tony Stark’s AI and will seemingly end his journey as a winner at the Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

• Michaela Coel as Arabella on I May Destroy You (HBO)
• Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin on Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)
• Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch on WandaVision (Disney+)
• Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon on The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
• Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan on Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Prediction: Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch on WandaVision (Disney+)

Elizabeth Olsen is the moment. When given the chance to flesh out her character over the course of nine episodes, Olsen took full advantage. After a string of appearances in supporting capacities throughout the MCU, Wanda Maximoff in a starring role proved to be exactly what she needed. The way Olsen was able to give her character so many different layers is nothing short of sensational. Grief-stricken and all-powerful, Wanda Maximoff shines. Notably, during a conversation with Variety, Olsen explains the importance of her most recent iteration of the Scarlet Witch. “It was the first time, though, that it felt like the creative [team] really understood what was in my brain about Wanda and her life. This was an acknowledgment of these little anecdotes and moments she has had throughout the MCU, and then, like, blowing them up, and creating a whole detailed background.”

Additional Quick Predictions:

• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent on Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate McKinnon as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Michael K. Williams as Montrose Freeman on Lovecraft Country (HBO)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher on The Crown (Netflix)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson on Hamilton (Disney+)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness / Agnes The Nosy Neighbor on WandaVision (Disney+)

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with these choices? Be sure to let us know your Emmy Awards thoughts and predictions in the comments below! – Christian Hubbard

The 73rd Emmy Awards premiere on September 19th. The event will be broadcast in the U.S. by CBS and Paramount+. Cedric the Entertainer is hosting the event.

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