On the latest Variety Award Circuit presented by Paramount+, Variety TV editors Michael Schneider and Emily Longeretta discuss the top drama performers race — both lead and supporting actor and actress — for the Emmys this year.
In the lead actress category, Kathy Bates of CBS’ “Matlock” is a frontrunner. “Kathy Bates is going to save broadcast TV,” says Schneider. “‘Matlock’ is a phenomenon. It’s huge in the ratings, a lot of people are talking about it, and it’s just a feel-good show.”
Longeretta adds, “It’s very funny. It’s a fresh take, it’s not just a reboot. It’s a whole new show, it just has the same name.”
Other female actors in the race include Britt Lower (“Severance”), Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”), Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”) and Helen Mirren (“1923”).
In the lead drama actor race, “The Last of Us” star Pedro Pascal may land in the category — but he also could enter the supporting field. Adam Scott has seemingly been the frontrunner for his role in “Severance,” but Noah Wyle has pulled up very close to that spot for “The Pitt.”
“The one who I think could give him a run for his money is Noah Wyle, who has never won an Emmy, but is well deserving for ‘The Pitt,’” Longeretta says.
Sterling K. Brown (“Paradise”), Jon Hamm (“Your Friends and Neighbors”), Diego Luna (“Andor”), Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses”), Eddie Redmayne (“Day of the Jackal”) and Billy Bob Thornton (“Landman”) are also big contenders in the category.
In both supporting actor and actress in a drama categories, there’s a high chance that “Severance” and “The White Lotus” stars could fill the list. That said, Allison Janney would tie for the most-awarded female performer if she took home the trophy for her incredible role in “The Diplomat,” and “The Pitt” has multiple supporting players who could break in.
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