Pretty much all TV fans know which shows and actors are favored to win Monday night at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. T▨hat the Television Academy is not the most adventurous voting body in the world — often generous to a fault with certain performers and series — does not bode well for the evening’s dark-horse contenders. But you never know: Audience ratings for the broadca✨st have been miserable in recent years, so perhaps voters are ready to shake things up. Otherwise, these terrific underdog nominees may go home empty-handed.
Milo Ventimiglia, “This Is Us,” nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series: Co-star St💖erling K. Brown beat out Ventimiglia last year for the honor, but Ventimiglia had the better reel this year. The episode where we finally learn how his character Jack died, in a horrendous fire while trying to rescue a family pet, was a total tear-jerker — and academy voters love to cry.
Keri Russell, “The Americans,” nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series: The academy was largely unmoved by this highly regarded series throughout its run. Now that the show has wrapped, voters couꦬld make a gesture to honor its consistent excellence. Russell, who matured from the teen drama “Felicity” to become a formidable series lead, seems most likely to collect a big prize for the show. Whatever the outcome, she’ll be fine: Russell has already moved🐠 on from Elizabeth Jennings by booking the female lead opposite Adam Driver in the forthcoming Broadway revival of “Burn This.”
“The Crown,” nominated for Best Drama Series: Many say “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a shoo-in repeat winner, but remember: Earlier this month, “The Crown” nabbed a Creative Arts Emmy for Best Casting in a Drama Series, often seen as a precursor to the Best Drama prize. Plus, “Handmaid” had an uneven season hea🍌vy on torture scenes. With “Game of Thrones” having won twice already, “The Crown” might be ready to rule.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” nominated for Best Comedy Series: The appealing and popular exploration of how an uptown Jewish housewife ventures downtown to consort with filthy stand-up comics in 1960s New York City is one of the most refreshing comedies in years. Can it beat the politically favored “Atlanta”? That seems unlikely, but “Maisel” has an enchanting star in Rachel Brosnahan that may power the enterprise over the finish l🗹ine.
“Godless,” nominated for Best Limited Series: Although the heavy money is on Ryan Murphy’s “Versace” opera, “Godless” was a real surprise, a throwback Western with a feminist theme that resonatℱed in the #MeToo era. The ast𝔍onishing shoot-’em-up finale and Jeff Daniels’ turn as a one-armed villain could bring this show Emmy gold.