Outstanding Drama Series is widely considered the top prize at the Emmy Awards. There’s a good reason it’s the last category in every ceremony: there’s still considerable prestige attached to being the best drama on television, and nearly every show that claims this honor goes on to have a long-lasting legacy.
The 2021-2022 season includes another round of acclaimed contenders vying for a place among the final nominees for television’s biggest honor. The abundance of worthy shows can make things hard to predict; luckily, the Experts and Top Users at GoldDerby combine their odds to rank the series’ nomination chances, adding some much-needed clarity to the race.
This Is Us
This Is Us aired its last episode last May, bringing the sentimental series to a close after a successful six-season run. The show followed the lives of the Pearsons, single-handedly rescuing the network and family drama from oblivion.
The show received very positive reviews throughout its run. Most critical praise went to the cast’s performances, particularly Sterling K. Brown, Milo Ventimiglia, and Mandy Moore. This Is Us is in a healthy place to secure an Outstanding Drama Series nomination, although competition from the streamers might prevent it from getting recognition for its last season.
Stranger Things
After a lengthy three-year hiatus, Stranger Things, one of the best sci-fi shows of the past decade, returned for its highly-anticipated fourth season. The plot takes place nine months after season 3’s events and follows a string of mysterious murders tied to the Upside Down, causing fear among Hawkins’ residents.
Stranger Things season 4 broke records within Netflix and received universal critical acclaim. Praise went to the series’ production values, writing, directing, and cast performances, particularly Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink. Considering the season’s considerable impact, it’s strange that Stranger Things doesn’t rank higher in GoldDerby’s odds, but its place among the nominees seems more certain with each passing day.
Euphoria
HBO’s harrowing teen drama Euphoria premiered its second season at the beginning of the year, delivering more of the neon-colored excess fans love. The show follows the lives of several troubled teenagers struggling with addiction, sexuality, and identity and stars an ensemble cast led by Zendaya.
Partially based on creator Sam Levinson’s youth, Euphoria has received acclaim from critics for its distinctive look and the cast’s performances, particularly Zendaya, who won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her work in season 1. However, season 2 attracted considerable criticism because of its hypersexualized teen characters, which could affect its chances at an Outstanding Drama Series nomination.
Yellowjackets
Arguably the breakout drama of the past season, Showtime’s Yellowjackets stars an ensemble cast featuring heavyweights like Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey. The plot centers on a group of teenagers involved in a plane crash in 1996 and the consequences the event has on their adult selves.
Yellowjackets earned universal acclaim from critics. Major praise went to the actors’ performances, particularly Lynskey, Ricci, and the younger performers, as well as the show’s mystery, writing, and subversive tone. Lynskey is a dark horse in the Lead Actress category, and the show itself could prove dangerous in the Drama Series category if Showtime plays its cards right.
Severance
Apple TV+ has some of the best series streaming today, including Dan Erickson’s Severance. Starring an ensemble cast led by Adam Scott, Severance focuses on an employee who agrees to undergo the titular procedure in which his work memories get separated from his non-work ones.
Severance attracted praise from critics and audiences, who noted the show’s high production values and intricate storytelling. Severance could make a good showing at the Emmys, with many of its actors receiving nominations. Its place among the Drama Series nominees seems plausible, but a win might be out of the question.
Yellowstone
Created by Taylor Sheridan and starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, Yellowstone centers on the Dutton family, owners of the largest cattle ranch in Montana. Conflicts arise with the bordering Broken Rock Indian Reservation.
Although initial reception was divisive, subsequent seasons attracted positive reviews. Yellowstone season 4 even earned the cast a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, cementing its place as a top contender at this year’s Emmys.
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul, a spin-off on Emmy darling Breaking Bad, follows Jimmy McGill’s transition from an earnest lawyer and former con artist to egotistical and criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk reprises his role alongside a cast that includes Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Giancarlo Esposito.
Nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for each of its five seasons, Better Call Saul‘s presence at this year’s nominees is a certainty. The show received particular praise for the first half of season 6, making it a strong candidate to pull a shocking upset and claim the statuette.
Ozark
Netflix’s gripping drama Ozark delivered its last batch of episodes, bringing the series to a close in a suitably intense fashion. Starring Jason Bateman and a career-best Laura Linney, Ozark follows the Byrde family as they become involved with an increasingly dangerous life of crime.
Ozark‘s last season received positive reviews. Reviewers criticized the separation of the episodes, which rendered Part 1 somewhat anti-climactic, but praised the performances of the cast, particularly Linney and series breakout Julia Garner. The Emmys love to reward shows in their final seasons, which might help Ozark pull ahead of the pack.
Squid Game
Squid Game was the streaming phenomenon of 2021. Netflix’s breakout hit about contestants competing in a deadly series of childish games for the chance to win 6 billion won broke many of the streamer’s records and became a pop culture sensation.
The show is Netflix’s main contender in the race and the dark horse to win the Outstanding Drama Series at this year’s Emmys. Leading actor Lee Jung-jae and supporting actress HoYeon Jung are also top competitors in their respective categories, increasing Squid Game‘s chances of claiming the night’s top prize.
Succession
HBO’s Succession is the favorite to win Outstanding Drama Series at this year’s Emmys. Starring an ensemble cast that includes Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Matthew McFadyen, and Sarah Snook, Succession follows the dysfunctional Roy family and their struggles for ownership of their company, Waystar RoyCo.
Season 2 of Succession won Outstanding Drama Series at the 2020 Emmy Awards, making it an instant favorite to repeat at this year’s ceremony. Season 3 received further critical acclaim, with its ending attracting considerable praise, making its chances at a win even more certain.
