2019 Emmys: Lead Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie

For Amy Adams (Sharp Objects) it’s good news. For Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora) it’s bad news. The news being this winter’s award season does not matter. Arquette bested Adams winning both the Golden Globe and SAG Awards. But new Limited Series and TV Movies are being released and this could change the race. And for us pundits and prognosticators this will be one of the most competitive categories at this year’s Emmys to predict. 

Let’s pencil both Arquette and Adams in for a nomination— leaving open four slots.   Now let’s examine who will try and claw their way in. 

Jazz Hands

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon

Williams is a tv veteran getting her start on the teen drama Dawson’s Creek. Now a four-time Oscar nominee in the flashy FX Series playing one of the title characters Gwen Verdon. And unlike Adams or Arquette her series is airing at the perfect time which should lead to at least a nomination and possibly a win. As Verdon knew timing is important. 

Other Awards Contenders

• Connie Britton, Dirty John
• Emma Stone, Maniac

Stone received a SAG Award nomination for the Netflix Limited Series-but Maniac is not for everyone and its possible she’ll be left out. While Britton scored a Golden Globe nomination. This may appear to put Britton at a disadvantage since their nominees are decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press unlike the SAG Awards which has some overlap with the tv academy. However, Britton, is a Emmy favorite scoring four consecutive nominations for three different series is not an easy accomplishment. Simply put they like Britton. Add in the fact that Dirty John is based on a popular podcast that just so happens to take place in L.A. and she starts looking better and better.

PBSing for a nod

Ruth Wilson, Mrs. Wilson

Wilson, has yet to receive any love from the television academy despite starring in Luther and The Affair. Wilson, is hoping a turn as a widow with the same last name could be more prosperous.

Hulu-knows

• Joey King, The Act
• Melanie Lynskey, Castle Rock

For both King and Lynskey this would be their first major award nomination. King could be on the young side for a category that likes actresses of a certain pedigree. And Lynskey, could suffer from the sci-fi bias. King however transforms into a real-life person starring opposite Arquette—who’s expected to also receive a Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actress nomination. If the academy is tuning in for Arquette it could be hard to ignore King.

The Romanoffs look for glory

• Kathryn Hahn, The Romanoffs: End of the Line
• Isabelle Huppert, The Romanoffs: House of Special Purpose
• Christina Hendricks, The Romanoffs: House of Special Purpose

Both Hahn and Hendricks are past Emmy nominees still looking for their first win. While Huppert, is looking for her first nomination. However, she’s arguably in the wrong category as the focus of the episode is Hendricks. Hahn, shows range in the only episode to take place in Russia as a woman trying to adopt a child. The Romanoffs did not receive the love Amazon expected. But Hendricks stars in the third episode and re-teaming with the creator of Mad Men, Matt Weiner could peak voter’s interests and if they tune in she could sneak into the lineup.

They Put Her in the Lead Category?

Niecy Nash, When They See Us

Audiences are still waiting for When They See Us to debut on May 31st and the Netflix Series from Ava Duvernay. Nash is a past two-time Best Comedy Supporting Actress nominee and so we at least know she’s on the Emmy’s radar. But while Nash gives a great performance she’s missing from a lot of the series and might have had better luck in the Supporting race.

Guess who’s back

Juliana Margulies, The Hot Zone

That’s right Margulies is back and not in the drama lineup this time. Margulies finally plays a doctor on Nat Geo’s The Hot Zone as she tries to stop the Ebola virus outbreak. Keep in mind, Margulies, is an Emmy favorite. Just like Edie Falco (Law & Order: The Menendez Murders) snuck her way in last year. Add in Nat Geo’s recent success and its possible Margulies may receive another Emmy nomination.

DOA or Deadwood?

• Paula Malcolmson
• Molly Parker

Neither received any awards attention during the series original run on the drama side. Since leaving Deadwood, Malcolmson, has gone on to star in the The Hunger Games franchise and on tv’s Ray Donovan. Not to be out done, Parker, earned an Emmy nomination for her work on House of Cards (2016). It’s hard to say whether either will get in with the film still unseen. Add in the television academy’s past lack of enthusiasm for revivals (ie. Twin Peaks) and their chances remain iffy at best.

My Preliminary Predictions 

• Amy Adams, Sharp Objects
• Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora
• Connie Britton, Dirty John
• Juliana Margulies, The Hot Zone
• Emma Stone, Maniac
• Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon