Who Deserves to Win This Year's Emmy Awards? We've Got the Answers

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Sunday, with a lineup of presenters that includes actors across film and television, including Viola Davis, Lily Gladstone, Steven Yeun, Selena Gomez, Colin Farrell, Giancarlo Esposito, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Jean Smart, Antony Starr and the legendary Dick Van Dyke.

It's the second such ceremony this year, following the January broadcast for the previously postponed 75th annual awards presentation. The upcoming event will spotlight releases from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, showcasing titles such as Baby Reindeer, Fargo, Shōgun and the previously snubbed Only Murders in the Building and Reservation Dogs. Shōgun racked up the most nods with 25 nominations, followed closely by The Bear's 23. 

CNET's team of editors have chosen predicted frontrunners -- and those we'd like to see win -- from a selection of the top categories up for grabs. Will a newcomer earn top honors or will The Crown and Abbott Elementary sweep the competition? Tune in on Sept. 15 to see if your favorites (and ours) take home a trophy.

Read more: 76th Emmy Awards: How to Watch the Show Without Cable

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary  The Bear   Curb Your Enthusiasm  Hacks Only Murders In the Building Palm Royale Reservation Dogs  What We Do in the Shadows 

Only Murders in the Building has never won this category before, but it garnered the heaviest amount of votes from our team followed by What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 of the comedy featured Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd as guest stars, and it will be interesting to see which nominee lands an Emmy.

Commentary: As much as I enjoy the shows in this pack like Abbott Elementary, The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, I'm still rooting for Reservation Dogs to get a little bit of awards show love this year. Well-written, well-acted, endearing and funny, the entire run is worthy of a win. -- Kourtnee Jackson

Hulu's amateur sleuths are a fan-favorite.

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Outstanding Drama Series

The Crown  Fallout  The Gilded Age The Morning Show  Mr. & Mrs. Smith  Shōgun  Slow Horses  3 Body Problem 

Shōgun took the crown for Team CNET, which doesn't really come as a surprise. The epic tale hit all the right notes from start to finish with its cinematography, performances and writing. Still, series like Fallout, The Crown and The Gilded Age caught our attention, so it's anyone's call. 

Fuji and the Anjin John Blackthorne share a moment in  Shōgun.

Katie Yu/FX

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Baby Reindeer  Fargo  Lessons In Chemistry  Ripley  True Detective: Night Country 

Ripley won over most of us. Baby Reindeer, Fargo and Lessons in Chemistry got equal votes, but they all trailed behind Ripley, which scored points for its rich story and throwback cinematography. According to series actor Johnny Flynn, the black-and-white shots gave the show a "Gothic noir quality."

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in 'Ripley' on Netflix.

Netflix

Outstanding Animated Program

Blue Eye Samurai: The Tale Of The Ronin And The Bride Bob's Burgers: The Amazing Rudy Scavengers Reign: The Signal  The Simpsons: Night Of The Living Wage X-Men '97: Remember It 

X-Men '97 earned the most votes, and the Remember It episode is peak TV with its nostalgic animation style, heartfelt storytelling and action. We think it deserves an Emmy, but other favorites include Blue Eye Samurai, Scavengers Reign and Bob's Burgers. 
Commentary: The Amazing Rudy is one of my favorite Bob's Burgers episodes I've ever watched, and I've seen the series 10-plus times as it's my emotional support show (aka whatever I watch when I need to get out of a funk). It paints a beautiful picture of divorce, change and the awkwardness of adjustment. Rudy has been such a great side character on the show, and seeing his point of view of his parents' divorce while also watching them try to adjust to a new normal is just chef's kiss perfection. --Alexandra Able, CNET 

Commentary: Everyone is talking about X-Men '97, and for good reason. If you're looking for another top-notch series within the genre, allow me to guide you to Blue Eye Samurai. The series uses Japanese history as a narrative foundation to chart an utterly original path for a samurai story. Before Shogun, Netflix's Blue Eye Samurai offered one of the most engaging, intense, visceral and heartfelt tales of Japan in the pre-Edo era. -- Aaron Pruner, CNET

X-Men '97 on Disney Plus.

Marvel Animation/Disney Plus

Outstanding Television Movie

Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie  Quiz Lady Red, White & Royal Blue  Scoop  Unfrosted 

Quiz Lady is our top choice for this category, and it may be considered a sleeper hit among contenders like Netflix's Scoop and Unfrosted. The Hulu original stars Sandra Oh and Awkwafina.

Michele K Short/20th Century Studios

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

What We Do In The Shadows: Matt Berry as Laszlo Cravensworth  Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David as Larry David  Only Murders In The Building: Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage; Martin Short as Oliver Putnam  The Bear: Jeremy Allen White as Carmy  Reservation Dogs: D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Bear Smallhill 

Everyone on this list earned at least one vote from our group, but Jeremy Allen White edged out Martin Short by a small margin. 

Jeremy Allen White stars in FX's The Bear on Hulu.

Chuck Hodes/FX

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Hijack: Idris Elba as Sam Nelson  Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Donald Glover as John Smith  Fallout: Walton Goggins as The Ghoul Slow Horses: Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb  Shōgun: Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga  The Crown: Dominic West as Prince Charles 

Fallout landed the most votes with us, with Hiroyuki Sanada not too far behind. 

Commentary: It was a rough year for TV, with the writer's strike looming large, and it's telling that most of the nominations are for shows that have been around for years. Out of this motley crew, though, the one that I was most excited about was Fallout. I played the games -- but glad the show told a new story -- and think that the scenery-chewing Walton Goggins has the award in his skeletal hand. --Ty Pendlebury, CNET

Prime Video

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series/Movie

Fellow Travelers: Matt Bomer as Hawkins "Hawk" Fuller  Baby Reindeer: Richard Gadd as Donny  Fargo: Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman  Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Tom Hollander as Truman Capote  Ripley: Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley 

It was a tough call, but Andrew Scott edged out his peers. His turn as Tom Ripley was described as "transcendent" in CNET's review by Aaron Pruner. Sunday's ceremony may give him stiff competition from the likes of Richard Gadd and Jon Hamm, so look out.

Netflix

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary: Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues  The Bear: Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu  Only Murders In The Building: Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora  Loot: Maya Rudolph as Molly Novak  Hacks: Jean Smart as Deborah Vance  Palm Royale: Kristen Wiig as Maxine Simmons 

With so much talent in this category, it was hard to choose. The tally wound up in Jean Smart's favor; hat tip to Ayo Edebiri, Quinta Brunson and Selena Gomez. 

Commentary: After three thoroughly funny seasons, I still can't get enough of Max's Hacks. The sharp TV series about an unlikely duo of comedians is again up for best comedy. Jean Smart has already won two Emmys for her portrayal of the legendary Deborah Vance, and best comedy actress could go to her again this year. Whether or not she wins, I'm just glad we're getting another season of the spectacular show. -- Meara Isenberg

Max

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The Morning Show: Jennifer Aniston The Gilded Age: Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell  Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Maya Erskine as Jane Smith  Shōgun: Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko  The Crown: Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II  The Morning Show: Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson 

In a near sweep, Anna Sawai had the highest number of votes with our staff. Her understated yet powerful turn as Lady Mariko in Shōgun deserves its accolades. 

Katie Yu/FX

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series/Movie

True Detective: Night Country: Jodie Foster as Detective Elizabeth Danvers  Lessons In Chemistry: Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott  Fargo: Juno Temple as Dorothy "Dot" Lyon  Griselda: Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco  Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Naomi Watts as Babe Paley 

Both Jodie Foster and Brie Larson tied in our tallies for this category, and given the level of performances in every show in this list, it is hard to tell who will bring home the award. 

Michele K. Short/HBO

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

The Bear: Lionel Boyce as Marcus  Hacks: Paul W. Downs as Jimmy Lusaque, Jr.  The Bear: Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard "Richie" Jerimovich  Only Murders In The Building: Paul Rudd as Ben Glenroy  Abbott Elementary: Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie Saturday Night Live: Bowen Yang as Various Characters

Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Cousin Richie has an undeniable presence inside and outside The Bear's kitchen, and the actor just won an Emmy during January's event. He earned the most votes among CNET staff, Bowen Yang and Abbott's Tyler James Williams followed closely behind. 

Chuck Hodes/FX

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Shōgun: Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige  The Morning Show: Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison  The Morning Show: Mark Duplass as Chip Black  The Morning Show: Jon Hamm as Paul Marks  Shōgun: Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari  Slow Horses: Jack Lowden as River Cartwright  The Crown: Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh 

Tadanobu Asano's Yabushige engaged viewers with his toughness, humor and inner conflict over duplicitously serving two lords and multiple agendas. Asano's performance won us over, too.  

Katie Yu/FX

Outstanding Supporting Actor in Limited or Anthology Series/Movie

Fellow Travelers: Jonathan Bailey as Tim Laughlin  The Sympathizer: Robert Downey Jr. as Claude, The Congressman/Ned Godwin, The Professor/Robert Hammer, The Auteur/Nicos Damianos, The Priest/Captain's Father  Baby Reindeer: Tom Goodman-Hill as Darrien  True Detective: Night Country: John Hawkes as Hank Prior  Fargo: Lamorne Morris as North Dakota Deputy Witt Farr  Lessons In Chemistry: Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans  Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Treat Williams as Bill Paley 

Could Fargo earn Lamorne Morris his first Prime Emmy? The actor's role in the drama series as Deputy Witt Farr had him play a well-intentioned good guy who paid the ultimate price when outmatched.

Michelle Faye/FX

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Palm Royale: Carol Burnett as Norma Dellacorte  The Bear: Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina  Hacks: Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels  Abbott Elementary: Janelle James as Ava Coleman  Abbott Elementary: Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard  Only Murders In The Building: Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin 

Everyone here earned our votes, but Meryl Streep's first-time portrayal of Loretta came out in the lead. Her quietly suspicious character kept everyone guessing in season 3 of Only Murders. 

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The Gilded Age: Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn  The Morning Show: Nicole Beharie as Christina Hunter  The Crown: Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana  The Morning Show: Greta Lee as Stella Bak  The Crown: Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret  The Morning Show: Karen Pittman as Mia Jordan  The Morning Show: Holland Taylor as Cybil Richards 

These two performers were tied for the most votes with our editors, and the real-time results will be fascinating to see. The Crown has a track record of sweeping the Emmys, but the Gilded Age has an incredibly talented cast too. 

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown.

Netflix

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series/Movie

Ripley: Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood  Under The Bridge: Lily Gladstone as Cam Bentland  Baby Reindeer: Jessica Gunning as Martha  Lessons In Chemistry: Aja Naomi King as Harriet Sloane  Feud: Capote vs. The Swans: Diane Lane as Nancy "Slim" Keith  Baby Reindeer: Nava Mau as Teri  True Detective: Night Country: Kali Reis as Detective Evangeline Navarro

Jessica Gunning received the most thumbs up from the CNET crew, and the actor has already won a slew of awards for her role as Martha in Baby Reindeer. If she snags an Emmy, it will be her first.

Ed Miller/Netflix