Which actors will win, and which should win, at the 2021 Emmys?

For every seeming foregone conclusion, there are a lot of tough calls in this year’s acting categories

By Danette Chavez | September 16, 2021 | 5:00pm

TV Features Actors

Which actors will win, and which should win, at the 2021 Emmys?

From left to right: Regé-Jean Page in Bridgerton (Photo: Liam Daniel/Netflix), Jean Smart in Hacks (Photo: Jake Giles Netter/HBO Max), Billy Porter in Pose (Photo: Eric Liebovitz/FX), Michaela Coel in I May Destroy You (Photo: Natalie Seery/HBO), Rosie Perez in The Flight Attendant (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max) Graphic: Natalie Peeples

On Sunday, September 19, the nominees for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards (and their limited number of guests) will gather in person once more to fête each other, albeit six feet or so apart. There are some races here that feel like a foregone conclusion—Ted Lasso, WandaVision, and The Queen’s Gambit entered this competition with a groundswell of support, and have already netted multiple wins. But is Jason Sudeikis a lock for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy? Will Kathryn Hahn cast a spell on voters? Or will some of the year’s quietly great performers knock them out of the running? Here, TV editor Danette Chavez takes her best shot at predicting the winners of the acting awards. Be sure to tune in Sunday night for our liveblog and news coverage, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Outstanding leading actress in a drama series

On Sunday, September 19, the nominees for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards (and their limited number of guests) will gather in person once more to fête each other, albeit six feet or so apart. There are some races here that feel like a foregone conclusion—, , and entered this competition with a groundswell of support, and have already netted multiple wins. But is Jason Sudeikis a lock for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy? Will Kathryn Hahn cast a spell on voters? Or will some of the year’s quietly great performers knock them out of the running? Here, TV editor Danette Chavez takes her best shot at predicting the winners of the acting awards. Be sure to tune in Sunday night for our liveblog and news coverage, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.