The Evolving Emmy Race: TV's Limited Series and Movie Stars Battle for Top Honors

The competition for the limited series and TV movie categories at the Emmys has shifted significantly over the voting period. While “The Penguin” initially led the pack, “Adolescence” has emerged as a game-changer, much like “Baby Reindeer” did in the previous season.

In a recent episode of Variety’s Award Circuit, produced by Paramount+, TV editors Michael Schneider and Emily Longeretta delve into the leading and supporting actor contenders for this year’s Emmy Awards in limited series and TV movies.

In the lead actress category, the lineup includes Cristin Milioti for “The Penguin,” Cate Blanchett for “Disclaimer,” Rashida Jones from “Black Mirror,” Amanda Seyfried for “Long Bright River,” Michelle Williams in “Dying for Sex,” and Ellen Pompeo for “Good American Family.”

Schneider remarks on the warm reception to Pompeo’s performance in the Hulu series, stating, “She’s been a household name for years.”

The TV movie category features Renée Zellweger at the forefront for her role in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” Schneider notes, “Zellweger has embodied this beloved character for years,” highlighting how the film debuted on Peacock in the U.S., although it was released theatrically elsewhere.

In the lead actor segment, Steve Carell stands out for his role in Jesse Armstrong’s “Mountainhead,” a follow-up to “Succession.” Yet, the race is tight, as he faces stiff competition from frontrunner Colin Farrell for “The Penguin” and rising star Stephen Graham for “Adolescence.”

Longeretta notes, “It’s tough to edge out Colin Farrell. But with ‘Adolescence,’ we see Stephen Graham—co-creator and star—who co-wrote all the episodes, stepping strongly into the scene.”

Other standout performers include Paul Giamatti in “Black Mirror,” Brian Tyree Henry for “Dope Thief,” Cooper Koch and/or Nicholas Alexander Chavez from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” and Jake Gyllenhaal in “Presumed Innocent.”