With so much television on the airwaves and on the internet these days, the Emmy nominations are bound to be surprising, but even by their usual standards this year’s list contained some whoppers, both in terms of who made the cut and who didn’t. Almost 4,000 total users predicted almost 150 nominees across 24 categories, and we got most of them right, but there were a lot of contenders we foolishly underestimated. Scroll down to see the complete list of 42 Emmy nominees who took us by surprise.
For instance, we knew that “Game of Thrones” would be a huge contender, but not only did it get the eight acting nominations we were anticipating, it tacked on two more. We knew Gwendoline Christie was on the bubble for a nomination, and she ended up making the cut for Best Drama Supporting Actress alongside her co-stars Lena Headey, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner. Best Drama Supporting Actor was an even bigger surprise. We predicted Peter Dinklage and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau would be nominated again, but few of thought they would be joined by Alfie Allen.
“Thrones” clearly sparked joy in Emmy voters, and so did Marie Kondo for her watercooler hit Netflix series “Tidying Up,” in which she helped people de-clutter their homes by only allowing them to keep the items that “spark joy.” She made the cut for Best Reality Host over the Fab Five from “Queer Eye,” who we thought would make the cut. “Tidying Up” also received a nom for Best Structured Reality Program, so Kondo is a double nominee this year.
The one single program we underestimated the most was “When They See Us.” We predicted it was a top contender to win Best Limited Series, but with such a large ensemble cast, who (if anyone) would Emmy voters single out? Michael Kenneth Williams was the only nominee our odds predicted, and he did indeed make the cut for Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, we thought Jharrel Jerome was on the bubble just outside of the race for Best Movie/Mini Actor, and he made it in too. But we missed six other acting nominees for the fact-based drama, including a couple of supporting contenders so unexpected they weren’t even in our predictions center: Marsha Stephanie Blake and child actor Asante Blackk.
What nominations surprised you the most? Check out our full list of prediction blunders below, and discuss this and more with your fellow TV fans here in our forums.
OUT OF NOWHERE
These nominees were so far out of left field they weren’t even in our predictions center.
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
Marsha Stephanie Blake, “When They See Us”
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actor
Asante Blackk, “When They See Us”
BIG SURPRISES
These contenders earned nominations despite having 100/1 odds.
Best Comedy Series
“Schitt’s Creek”
Best Comedy Actress
Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Best Comedy Actor
Eugene Levy, “Schitt’s Creek”
Best Comedy Supporting Actress
Sian Clifford, “Fleabag”
Best Comedy Supporting Actor
Anthony Carrigan, “Barry”
Best Comedy Guest Actress
Fiona Shaw, “Fleabag”
Kristen Scott Thomas, “Fleabag”
Best Comedy Guest Actor
Robert De Niro, “Saturday Night Live”
Rufus Sewell, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Best Drama Actress
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder”
Mandy Moore, “This is Us”
Best Drama Supporting Actor
Alfie Allen, “Game of Thrones”
Giancarlo Esposito, “Better Call Saul”
Chris Sullivan, “This is Us”
Best Drama Guest Actor
Michael Angarano, “This is Us”
Kumail Nanjiani, “The Twilight Zone”
Glynn Turman, “How to Get Away with Murder”
Best Movie/Mini Actress
Aunjanue Ellis, “When They See Us”
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
Margaret Qualley, “Fosse/Verdon”
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actor
John Leguizamo, “When They See Us”
Best Competition Series
“Nailed It”
Best Reality Host
James Corden, “The World’s Best”
Marie Kondo, “Tidying Up”
CLOSE CALLS
We knew they had a shot, but they weren’t among out predicted nominees.
Best Comedy Series
“Russian Doll”
Best Comedy Actress
Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”
Best Comedy Supporting Actress
Sarah Goldberg, “Barry”
Best Comedy Supporting Actor
Stephen Root, “Barry”
Best Comedy Guest Actress
Emma Thompson, “Saturday Night Live”
Best Comedy Guest Actor
Matt Damon, “Saturday Night Live”
Best Drama Series
“Bodyguard”
Best Drama Actress
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
Best Drama Actor
Milo Ventimiglia, “This is Us”
Best Drama Supporting Actress
Gwendoline Christie, “Game of Thrones”
Fiona Shaw, “Killing Eve”
Best Drama Guest Actress
Laverne Cox, “Orange is the New Black”
Best Movie/Mini Actress
Niecy Nash, “When They See Us”
Best Movie/Mini Actor
Jharrel Jerome, “When They See Us”
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
Vera Farmiga, “When They See Us”
Best Movie/Mini Supporting Actor
Stellan Skarsgard, “Chernobyl”
Best Variety Sketch Series
“I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman”
Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before winners are announced on September 22. And join in the fun debate over the 2019 Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
