Prediction season is well underway with the 72nd Primetime Emmy nominations being announced in a mere 6 days on July 28th. I’ve been working on mine every day, questioning all of my decisions with each passing moment. I’m just excited that we will definitely have new winners this year in several major categories:

Comedy Series: Fleabag, ended

Drama Series: Game of Thrones, ended

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Bill Hader, Barry, on hiatus

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag, ended

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones, ended

Directing for a Comedy Series: Harry Bradbeer (“Episode 1”), Fleabag, ended

Writing for a Comedy Series: Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Episode 1”), Fleabag, ended

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What shows will break through? Or will we see returning former winners take the trophies again?

Right now, I have Schitt’s Creek in the top spot to win Comedy Series and Succession for Drama Series. Both were nominated for their most recent seasons, so I expect them to return. Schitt’s Creek has the fact that it ended its 6-season run on such wonderful terms that it may have an incredible time at the ceremony this year. Succession is only on its second season, but it received overwhelming positive reception. It faces competition from former winner The Handmaid’s Tale.

I hope the Schitt’s Creek stars take over the comedy acting categories, which I expect to happen for Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. Both received nominations last year and deserve this recognition as much as any of the potential nominees. The show also has the potential to take over the comedy directing and writing categories. However, it has some stiff competition from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the 2018 winner in Series, Lead Actress, Directing, and Writing.

When it comes to Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, I’m going to have to take a guess based on my gut of who the best performer in the category is: Tom Pelphrey from Ozark. He delivered one of the best TV performances in a very long time. Will Billy Crudup from The Morning Show take the trophy, though, after a SAG nomination and Critics Choice win? I imagine the race is between Pelphrey, Crudup, and Kieran Culkin from Succession, who many assumed would have been nominated last year for his scene-stealing role of Roman Roy. There may be some competition from Bradley Whitford from The Handmaid’s Tale given his Guest Actor win for the role last year and Supporting Actor win in 2001 for The West Wing.

I can’t wait to see the new winners in each category nor can I handle the anticipation of the nominations on Tuesday.