Emmy Predictions: Limited or Anthology Series – ‘White Lotus’ Still Leads, but ‘Dopesick’ and ‘Dropout’ Are Closing the Gap

Clayton Davis
·5 min read
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Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provides inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

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UPDATED: August 18, 2022

2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES

AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:

The second most nominated limited series, Hulu’s “Dopesick,” is the frontrunner for star Michael Keaton and is very competitive in races such as directing and writing for Danny Strong. A story of the moment, drug addiction affects every demographic and may hit closer to home for voters than in other shows. If the Television Academy is in a serious mood, they could rally behind this rather than the much lighter “White Lotus.”

Down but not out, the Netflix summer mid-year sensation “Inventing Anna” picked up surprising mentions for star Julia Garner and this category. The least nominated limited series of the lot with three, it’s likely among the most watched, and in this time of “too much TV,” that can go a long way.

The Dropout — “Lizzy” – Episode 108 — In the wake of the Wall Street Journal article, Elizabeth and Sunny face a reckoning. Linda Tanner (Michaela Watkins), Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried), and Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews), shown. (Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu) - Credit: Courtesy of Beth Dubber/Hulu
The Dropout — “Lizzy” – Episode 108 — In the wake of the Wall Street Journal article, Elizabeth and Sunny face a reckoning. Linda Tanner (Michaela Watkins), Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried), and Sunny Balwani (Naveen Andrews), shown. (Photo by: Beth Dubber/Hulu) - Credit: Courtesy of Beth Dubber/Hulu

Courtesy of Beth Dubber/Hulu

Even though the biopic series landed six respectable nominations, “The Dropout” missed some expected categories, such as Naveen Andrews and William H. Macy in supporting actors. That points to less-than-stellar support leading into phase two voting. The Hulu drama may have to settle for a win for Amanda Seyfried.

Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub

We weren’t expecting to hear as much “Pam & Tommy” as we did, but alas, ten nominations flew in for the true story of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson’s infamous sex tape. With stars Sebastian Stan, Lily James and Seth Rogen picking up noms, the dark comedy could speak to a particular pocket of Millennial voters at the TV Academy, feeling nostalgic about the internet and the “simpler times.” But is it enough to top these contenders?

Assembling a massive 20 Emmy nominations, if you didn’t feel the HBO anthology series “The White Lotus” couldn’t go the distance, you better start believing it. Dominating the acting categories, with stars Murray Bartlett and Jennifer Coolidge front-running in both supporting races, the Mike White written and directed show will be hard to beat across the board. But is there such a thing as doing “too well” at the Emmys?

The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.

Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Oscars Predictions Hub

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.

2021 category winner: “The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix)

ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:

Dopesick — “Breakthrough Pain” – Episode 102 — OxyContin is on the market but faces a potential threat, Purdue’s vast influence reaches the town of Finch Creek, Bridget steps outside her DEA authority, and the criminal investigation of OxyContin begins. Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever), shown. (Photo by: Antony Platt/Hulu) - Credit: Courtesy of Hulu
Dopesick — “Breakthrough Pain” – Episode 102 — OxyContin is on the market but faces a potential threat, Purdue’s vast influence reaches the town of Finch Creek, Bridget steps outside her DEA authority, and the criminal investigation of OxyContin begins. Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever), shown. (Photo by: Antony Platt/Hulu) - Credit: Courtesy of Hulu

Courtesy of Hulu

And The Nominees Are:

Rank

TV Series

Network

Producers

1

“The White Lotus”

HBO

Key facts: The most nominated limited series with 20 nominations, and tied for the second most of any series.

Mike White (executive producer), David Bernad (executive producer), Nick Hall (executive producer), Mark Kamine (co-executive producer)

2

“Dopesick”

Hulu

Key facts: 14 nominations including five for acting.

Danny Strong (executive producer), Karen Rosenfelt (executive producer), Michael Keaton (executive producer), Eoghan O’Donnell (co-executive producer), Graham Littlefield (co-executive producer), John Goldwyn (executive producer), Barry Levinson (executive producer), Jane Bartelme (co-executive producer), Jessica Mecklenburg (co-executive producer), Warren Littlefield (executive producer), Beth Macy (executive producer), Mandy Safavi (co-executive producer), Ann Johnson (co-executive producer)

3

“The Dropout”

Hulu

Key facts: Six nominations including two for directing (one of which is for Francesca Gregorini, the only woman nominated in the category).

Elizabeth Meriwether (executive producer), Katherine Pope (executive producer), Michael Showalter (executive producer), Jordana Mollick (executive producer), Rebecca Jarvis (executive producer), Taylor Dunn (executive producer), Victoria Thompson (executive producer), Liz Heldens (executive producer), Liz Hannah (executive producer), Hilton Smith (co-executive producer), Dan LeFranc (supervising producer), Amanda Seyfried (producer), Hilary Bettis (producer), Megan Mascena (producer)

4

“Pam & Tommy”

Hulu

Key facts: 10 nominations including three for acting.

Megan Ellison (executive producer), Sue Naegle (executive producer), Ali Krug (executive producer), Seth Rogen (executive producer), Evan Goldberg (executive producer), James Weaver (executive producer), Alex McAtee (executive producer), Robert Siegel (executive producer), D.V. DeVincentis (executive producer), Craig Gillespie (executive producer), Dylan Sellers (executive producer), Dave Franco (executive producer), Chip Vucelich (co-executive producer), Sarah Gubbins (co-executive producer)

5

“Inventing Anna”

Netflix

Key facts: Three nominations including lead actress for Julia Garner and casting.

Shonda Rhimes (executive producer), Betsy Beers (executive producer), Tom Verica (executive producer), Matt Byrne (co-executive producer), Kathy Ciric (co-executive producer), Scott Collins (co-executive producer), Alison Eakle (co-executive producer), Sara Fischer (co-executive producer), Abby Ajayi (supervising producer), Jess Brownell (producer), Holden Chang (producer), Jessica Pressler (producer)

AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best Limited or Anthology Series)

The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.

This category has continually undergone rule changes and inceptions over the years, making it misleading to account for significant historical wins and nominations. "Prime Suspect" has the most wins in this category with three, while "American Crime Story" is right behind with two. The former also has the most nominations for a continuing series with five, while "American Horror Story" is close behind with four.

Since the beginning of this category in 1973, HBO has the most wins in this category with 11, with NBC and PBS close behind with 10. Netflix is the only streaming platform to win this category with "The Queen's Gambit" in 2021.

2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions

2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions

About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)

The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes - Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.

  • The 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.

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