Emmys 2016 Predictions: Could 'Fargo' Or 'The Night Manager' Take Down 'O.J. Simpson'? [POLL, VIDEO]
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series may seem like an easy category to predict the winner, but there's also the possibility of an upset.
This year's Outstanding Limited Series category is arguably one of the strongest in Emmy history, with five strong nominees. Each of the series received multiple nominations in other categories, suggesting broad support all around.
Let's examine the Limited Series category further to see if we can predict which show will win the award in September.
5. Roots (History)
It's no secret that the original Roots miniseries from 1977 received the most nominations for any program in television history in a single year, with 37. This 2016 remake was very well received but ultimately fell short of its predecessor, scoring only seven nominations - none of which were for acting. Considering this, Roots is probably in last as far as viable winners, but if Emmy voters know their history and appreciate this remake, a victory is still possible.
4. American Crime (ABC)
American Crime did better than anticipated last year for its first season, scoring 10 Emmy nominations and a win for supporting star Regina King. But like Roots, the second season of American Crime failed to reach such lofty heights, receiving just four nominations. The only other nominations for American Crime are for its three main actresses, King, Felicity Huffman and Lili Taylor, so while the show's second season was even more critically acclaimed than the first, we don't think a win will happen.
3. The Night Manager (AMC)
If American Crime underperformed overall, The Night Manager certainly overperformed. The miniseries based on the novel of the same name by John le Carré did very well, scoring 12 nominations overall, including for stars Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie and Olivia Colman. While The Night Manager has a solid shot of taking home the trophy, we think two other shows have more buzz and Emmy appeal this year.
2. Fargo (FX)
The second season of Fargo received a whopping 18 nominations this year, including four actors, two episodes for writing and one for directing. By all accounts, Emmy voters seemed to love this second season, even choosing to nominate lesser known stars like Jesse Plemons and Bokeem Woodbine over obvious Emmy favorites whose performances may not have been as strong, like Ted Danson. In any other year, Fargo would be the likely winner, but there's one show that simply looks unstoppable right now.
1. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
With an astounding 22 nominations, The People v. O.J. Simpson is second to only Game of Thrones for most nominated program of the year. Six of the miniseries' actors are nominated, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Courtney B. Vance, Sarah Paulson, Sterling K. Brown, David Schwimmer and John Travolta, plus three episodes each for directing and writing. With this amount of nominations combined with renewed interest in the O.J. Simpson case, we think The People v. O.J. Simpson has this in the bag.
The 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards will air live Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.
