2016 Emmy Predictions: TV Movie, Limited Series Supporting Actor and Actress (June)

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As mentioned in the Lead Actor and Lead Actress writeup, Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie so packed with contenders from The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story that we could legitimately see four of the six spots given up to them. Right now, four of the Emmy Experts (Chris, Fred, Nicole and myself) are predicting just shy of that with three performances from the limited series making it in: Sterling K. Brown, David Schwimmer and John Travolta. Only Nathan Lane sits outside of our predictions here (watch him make it in). Jonathan is playing it safe (or is it smart?) by only predicting Brown and Schwimmer. Looking safe to us right now, outside of everyone picking Brown and Schwimmer, is Emmy winner Ted Danson in Fargo. But that show is also awash with very possible contenders in the form of Jesse Plemons and Bokeeem Woodbine, the latter whom has four of five votes from the Emmy Experts. Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman has just three votes and then the votes spread out to 7-time Emmy nominee Hugh Laurie in The Night Manager, Forest Whitaker in Roots and Connor Jessup in American Crime. As the center of the this season’s storyline, Jessup’s lauded performance in any other year would be an easy call. But with The People v O.J., it’s a bit of a risky bet, but one I’m willing to take. If there was any justice, he would be nominated alongside his co-star in American Crime, Joey Pollari.

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Only three performances in Supporting Actress have universal support from the Emmy Experts: Regina King in American Crime (last year’s Emmy winner here), Melissa Leo in All the Way and Jean Smart in Fargo. Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson and Connie Britton split the FX ‘American‘ votes with three for Bates, four for Paulson and two for Britton. Catherine Keener in Show Me a Hero and Olivia Colman in The Night Manager have two mentions apiece and two ladies from the Roots remake, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Anika Noni Rose have one vote each. The Britton support comes from the feeling that The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story is going to be massive with the Television Academy and it likely will be. But Britton has such spare screentime even that seems like a stretch. Emmy and Oscar winner Melissa Leo seems safe but has very little to do in All the Way. But, as her submission is a TV Movie and not a Limited Series, her chances are boosted by the likelihood of being more easily seen and/or name-checked. Sarah Paulson should be able to reap double nominations on her way to finally winning this year in Lead.