Dave Karger’s Emmy predictions are the only ones you need to know

This week, I sat down Dave Karger – Turner Classic Movies host, Today Show commentator, special correspondent for IMDb and Soho House’s awards-season specialist – to get his Emmy predictions. He didn’t disappoint. 

Consider this your guide to everything you should be binge-watching this autumn (if you haven’t already).

Drama Series

Severance and Squid Game are both upstart shows that have been getting a lot of attention, although I do think Succession will win again this year.

Best Actor in a Drama Series

This one I can’t say for sure. It could be Jeremy Strong or Brian Cox for Succession, or Lee Jung-jae – who already picked up the SAG award earlier this year for Squid Game.

Best Actress in a Drama Series

With four Emmy wins already, Laura Linney for Ozark is always a favourite and Euphoria’s Zendaya is a strong contender. However, I do think Melanie Lynskey will win for an outstanding performance in Yellowjackets.

Comedy Series

This is a two-way horserace between Abbott Elementary and Ted Lasso. I am going with Ted Lasso holding on to its momentum – it has so much affection within the industry.

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Strong contenders are Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building) and Bill Hader for Barry, but I do think Jason Sudeikis will win again this year for Ted Lasso.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

I am torn on this, as I think Quinta Brunson from Abbott Elementary could win, but Jean Smart will take it for Hacks. Maybe Abbott Elementary will win for writing or directing.

Limited Series

I love both White Lotus and Dopesick so much; they are both actors’ showcases and both became such a phenomenon. Watching White Lotus all at the same time on the same night was a throwback to 10 years ago when we all watched together. I’m going with White Lotus to win.

Best Actor in Limited Series

For sure it’s going to be Michael Keaton in Dopesick. He gave a powerful, emotional speech after he won the SAG award for the show and he should have won an Oscar for Birdman. I was thinking Colin Firth could win, although Staircase underperformed, and the last episode was arguably the weakest and hurt Firth’s chances.

Best Actress in a Limited Series

Between Amanda Seyfried in The Dropout, Julia Garner in Ozark and Lily James in Pam & Tommy, we had some amazing performances; Lily James as Pamela Anderson was beyond realistic and it’s shocking how good it was. I think the momentum for the other two is more though. Julia is a favourite who has already won two Emmys. I am going with Amanda Seyfried who received an Oscar nomination for Mank – she’s on a roll and playing Elizabeth Holmes was a very tough role. We can’t count out Julia Garner though.

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards air 5pm PDT, Monday 12 September on NBC, hosted by Kenan Thompson