2024 Emmy winner predictions: Outstanding Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series

"Entertainment Weekly" predicts the top contenders in the big three Emmy categories — from "The Crown" to "The Bear" to "True Detective: Night Country."

The Emmy race is on — and it's sure to bring the drama. And comedy. And comedy that maybe should reclassify itself as a drama. (Looking at you, The Bear.)

Will today's frontrunners keep their momentum between now and when final-round voting closes on August 26? Here are Entertainment Weekly's picks for who should and will win in Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series. Don't forget, a lot can change in just a few months (see: our current presidential race), so check back for updates.

Drama Series

Shōgun and 'The Crown'
'Shōgun' and 'The Crown'.

Katie Yu/FX/Courtesy of FX via Everett Collection; Daniel Escale/Netflix

The Crown, Netflix
Fallout
, Prime Video
The Gilded Age
, HBO
The Morning Show
, Apple TV+
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
, Prime Video
Shōgun
, FX
Slow Horses
, Apple TV+
3 Body Problem
, Netflix

Who will/should win: Shōgun
The Crown
has been nominated in this category every season, winning once in 2021. Had Shōgun not made a late-in-the-game switch from limited series to drama, The Crown's final season would be the frontrunner to take the win here. But Shōgun — an epic achievement and the recipient of 25 nominations, the most of any title this year — has the momentum, at least for now.

Comedy Series

'The Bear' and 'Reservation Dogs'
'The Bear' and 'Reservation Dogs'.

Chuck Hodes/FX; Shane Brown/FX on Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection

Abbott Elementary, ABC
The Bear
, FX
Curb Your Enthusiasm
, HBO
Hacks
, Max
Only Murders in the Building
, Hulu
Palm Royale
, Apple TV+
Reservation Dogs
, FX on Hulu
What We Do in the Shadows
, FX

Who will win: The Bear
Season 2 of The Bear was magnificent, so I'm not mad about its inevitable win. But...

Who should win: Reservation Dogs
What a shame that this transcendent, unique, and astoundingly moving coming-of-age comedy from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi will end its three-season run with just one nomination in this category.

Check out more from EW's The Awardist, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV.

Limited or Anthology Series

'Baby Reindeer' and 'Ripley'
'Baby Reindeer' and 'Ripley'.

Netflix (2)

Baby Reindeer, Netflix
Fargo
, FX
Lessons in Chemistry
, Apple TV+
Ripley
, Netflix
True Detective: Night Country
, HBO

Who will win: Baby Reindeer
The big winner with Shōgun's move to drama? Netflix's word-of-mouth phenomenon Baby Reindeer, which is the clear frontrunner (despite that $170 million defamation lawsuit).

Who should win: Ripley
While Baby Reindeer is a compelling, emotionally complex watch, overall, it's less creatively successful than Steven Zaillian's Ripley. The stunning exploration of Patricia Highsmith's infamous con artist is exquisite on all fronts, from Robert Elswit's glorious, black-and-white cinematography to Andrew Scott's chilling charm as Tom.

The Emmys are voted on each year by the members of the Television Academy. The final round of voting will come to a close on Aug. 26, and the 2024 Emmys will air live on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

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