Pete Hammond’s Emmy Predictions 2021: Outstanding Drama Series – What Show Will Win TV’s ‘Crown’ Jewel?

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1202761994" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Deadline" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg 330w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=150,85 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=125,70 125w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=250,140 250w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=296,166 296w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=248,139 248w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=200,112 200w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=270,152 270w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=60,34 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=110,62 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=285,161 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/pete_card-e1571260602888.jpg?resize=320,180 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Deadline

In terms of past winners that might be in line to take the Outstanding Drama Series crown again, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale is the only one of eight nominees in this category that has won before here — and that was in 2017, for its first season. With an impressive 21 nominations, the show seems to be having an Emmy resurgence, at least in terms of nominations. Last year’s winner Succession succeeded on its second try but is ineligible this year due to Covid-forced production delays, while Game of Thrones, a four-time winner here, is obviously no longer a factor. Still, the list of contenders is an interesting one. Like the Comedy category, there is little to boast about for the broadcast networks, with only NBC’s This Is Us gaining entry for the fourth time after being absent last year. The Crown, another veteran of the category, is angling to hit the winner’s circle with its fourth nomination. Here’s the rundown of the nominees and scroll down for the predicted winner.

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<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234820057" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Amazon Prime" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg 1000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=60,40 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=352,235 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=110,73 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=285,190 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=320,213 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Boys-e1629737089355.jpg?resize=800,534 800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Amazon Prime

The Boys, Amazon

Perhaps the most surprising nominee is this comic book series from Amazon about a bunch of rogue superheroes led by Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher. After only getting a Sound Editing nomination in its first season, it has come roaring back with five noms, including this biggie in Emmy’s most prestigious category. It certainly doesn’t fit the mold of what we’d ordinarily see here, but the critical acclaim and original writing style clearly got voters to take a look — and they obviously liked what they saw.

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234598230" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Netflix" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg 3600w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=1024,684 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=1536,1026 1536w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=2048,1368 2048w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=60,40 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=352,235 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=110,73 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=285,190 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=320,214 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=640,428 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=800,534 800w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BRIDGERTON_108_Unit_02448R.jpg?resize=1280,855 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Netflix

Bridgerton, Netflix

This first-season period romance comes from Shondaland, and, unlike Shonda Rhimes’ ABC series (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal), this one made an immediate impact on Emmy voters, who embraced it almost as much as the public, showering it with 12 nominations. Its popularity is unquestioned, and viewers are eagerly awaiting a second season, even without breakout star Regé- Jean Page, whose storyline was just a one-off. This, like The Boys, is further evidence that maybe Television Academy members aren’t elitist snobs after all.

Read All Of Deadline Award Columnist Pete Hammond’s Emmy Predictions Here

The Crown, Netflix

Peter Morgan’s landmark series about another upper-crust family is probably more likely to bring home the gold for Netflix than Bridgerton, but after three previous nominations it still hasn’t done the trick. However, this fourth season, which focused on Prince Charles and his rocky marriage to Diana Spencer, got lots of attention and early precursor awards, and is generally considered the frontrunner here, despite never having a previous victory. This remains Netflix’s best shot in the major categories. Last weekend’s Creative Arts ceremonies have already showered 4 Emmy wins out of the 24 nominations the series received this year to tie a competitor in this category, The Mandalorian as the two programs with the highest nom totals overall for anything this year.

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234820068" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Sophie Giraud/Hulu" width="300" height="219" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg 5239w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=150,109 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=300,219 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=1024,746 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=1536,1120 1536w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=2048,1493 2048w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=60,44 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=352,257 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=110,80 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=285,208 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=320,233 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=640,467 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=800,583 800w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Handmaids-Tale-1.jpg?resize=1280,933 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Sophie Giraud/Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu

Streamer Hulu became the first to crack the code of this category in 2017 with the debut season of this much talked about and admired series, which picked up a whopping 21 nominations, mostly for its cast. It had a very good year, changed locales, and clearly got its mojo back in a big way, but the bigger question remains: can it return to the winners’ circle, or will the Academy feel they have already been there/done that? It added zero to its lifetime Emmy win totals at the Creative Arts, but let’s see if it can get some on the board Sunday.

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234781207" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: HBO" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg 1200w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=125,70 125w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=660,370 660w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=1000,563 1000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=910,511 910w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=681,383 681w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=450,253 450w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=250,140 250w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=296,166 296w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=248,139 248w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=200,112 200w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=270,152 270w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=60,34 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=352,198 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=110,62 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=285,160 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=640,360 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/lovecraft-country-ep-1-HBO.jpg?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />HBO

Lovecraft Country, HBO

The Emmy juggernaut cable network withheld announcing their decision to cancel this deliciously ambitious series until after all the votes were in. Whether it would have made a difference is unknown, but Emmy voters clearly liked the first— and now final—season enough to reward it with 18 nominations, including five for its actors. An impressive haul indeed for a series that, though ostensibly set in the 1950s, spans time and genres and has much to say about race in America, both then and now. It already cashed in two of those 18 nominations at the Creative Arts ceremonies.

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234820071" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Disney+" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg 2000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=150,100 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=300,200 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=630,420 630w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=60,40 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=352,235 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=900,600 900w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=110,73 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=285,190 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=320,213 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=640,427 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=800,534 800w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Mandalorian.jpeg?resize=1280,854 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Disney+

The Mandalorian, Disney+

As you might expect, this Star Wars spinoff has been a huge hit for the nascent Mouse House streamer. It nabbed seven wins in its first season, out of 15 nominations, and has upped the ante in its second with a co-leading 24 nominations, although the bulk of these nods are in the crafts categories. Last weekend it already matched its 2020 total with another seven wins, all in craft categories. Nevertheless, it seems to be following Game of Thrones by proving that a special effects- driven series doesn’t have to be relegated to technical nods. With support from all those below the line branches could it be a dark horse to win on its second try in this marquee category?

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234817323" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Eric Liebowitz/FX" width="300" height="187" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg 3000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=150,94 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=300,187 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=1024,639 1024w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=1536,958 1536w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=2048,1278 2048w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=60,37 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=352,220 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=110,69 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=285,178 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=320,200 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=640,399 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=800,499 800w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Pose-03.jpg?resize=1280,799 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Eric Liebowitz/FX

Pose, FX

This ground-breaking series is in its third and final season and still making lots of noise. Although Billy Porter made history by winning Lead Actor in a Drama Series in its first season, Pose has yet to claim a Drama Series win, and wasn’t even nominated here last year. This time, producers are waging a targeted campaign to remind voters that a vote for Pose will also make a statement of inclusion—and this is the last chance they have to do that. It may be working. The show already picked up three Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremonies over the weekend.

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1234820074" src="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?w=300&quot; alt=". - Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg 1000w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=630,420 630w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=60,40 60w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=352,235 352w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=110,73 110w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=285,190 285w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=320,213 320w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/This-Is-US.jpg?resize=800,534 800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Ron Batzdorff/NBC

This Is Us, NBC

The real victory for this much-loved network series is its consistent showing in this category, even though it was passed over last year. If you think that meant voters were tiring of this drama, think again—it’s back with six nominations overall, to add to its total of 38 over its lifetime. It’s had just four wins, generally for its actors, so a win for a network series here would be a real long shot at this point. Still, never say never.

THE PREDICTED WINNER: THE CROWN

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