UPDATE: Check out the full list of 2018 Golden Globes winners!
The Golden Globes are the precursor to the Academy Awards and the Emmys, which makes their early January ceremony something of a must if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is going to make a splash before two arguably more prestigious awards are handed out. That doesn’t make the ceremony any less entertaining, both for people who enjoy watching celebrities mingle in the presence of an off-screen open bar and for those who enjoy taking the awards seriously, using winners and losers to adjust the odds of who will take home an Oscar or an Emmy later in the year.
Because the Globes hand out awards to both film and television, Screen Rant is splitting its coverage between the two (you can check out a link to our film predictions below). From here on out, then, this post will be dedicated to predicting who will take home an award this Sunday night, as an outstanding achievement in television.
Related: Golden Globes 2018 Movies Predictions: What Will Win & What Should Win
As is usually the case, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have included some surprising choices this year, following up on the deserved awards handed out to the likes of Jane The Virgin‘s Gina Rodriguez or Crazy Ex-Girlfriend‘s Rachel Bloom. This time, it’s USA’s limited series The Sinner and SundanceTV’s follow-up from Jane Campion, Top of the Lake: China Girl. There are a few likely candidates in there as well, as Claire Foy stands a good chance of taking home an award in her last season as Queen Elizabeth in Netflix’s The Crown, as well as Will & Grace coming back from the dead to finally take home the award.
With any luck there will be some surprise winners at the Seth Meyers-hosted event, so we’ll do our best to predict the winners and also let you know who we think should have their overlong acceptance speech cut short by the orchestra come Sunday night.
Best Television Series, Drama
The Crown (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
This Is Us (NBC)
Who Will Win: The Handmaid’s Tale
Who Should Win: The Handmaid’s Tale
Should Have Been a Contender: The Leftovers
While there’s a strong chance that the HFPA will throw everyone a curveball by making The Crown a back-to-back Best Drama Series winner, it seems unlikely that anything but The Handmaid’s Tale will take home the award. That’s especially true given the political climate and the rash of sexual misconduct allegations that dominated the news in the latter months of 2017. Besides, with Hulu already having taken home the Emmy, the HFPA will likely want to follow suit. It will also make for another freshman series to win the award at the Golden Globes, and who wants to buck tradition?
While The Handmaid’s Tale is the likely winner, considering the somewhat off year Game of Thrones had and the fun but uninspiring second season of Stranger Things, it might be a different story if HBO’s superlative but seemingly award-repellant The Leftovers had been honored for its third and final season.
Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Black-ish (ABC)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Master of None (Netflix)
SMILF (Showtime)
Will & Grace (NBC)
Who Will Win: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Who Should Win: SMILF
Should Have Been a Contender: Great News
With the trend set by the Golden Globes in recent years, it would seem likely that a first-timer will take home the award for Best Musical or Comedy. That’s promising for the two most likely contenders for the prize this year: Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Showtime’s SMILF. If Mrs. Maisel were to take it, that would make it the third first season win for an Amazon series, following in the footsteps of Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent. For its part, Showtime’s no stranger to first season wins either, with Homeland and The Affair taking home trophies in their respective first seasons as well. This time, however, it seems likely Amazon will again go home a winner, as Mrs. Maisel boasts a breakthrough performance from Rachel Brosnahan and the name of Amy Sherman-Palladino.
While Mrs. Maisel is certainly the odds-on favorite, there’s no discounting SMILF or its creator and star Frankie Shaw delivering a surprise win. The HFPA Have demonstrated a fondness for Showtime’s first season shows in the past, and, like Mrs. Maisel, SMILF is a female driven endeavor, making it an easy contender for the award.
Take into consideration the HFPA’s predilection for making unconventional nominations, and it wouldn’t be too terribly out of character to think they might nominate NBC’s unconventional and very funny workplace comedy Great News. The series is having a very good second season and is deserving of some unexpected accolades.
Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Big Little Lies (HBO)
Fargo (FX)
FEUD: Bette and Joan (FX)
The Sinner (USA)
Top of the Lake: China Girl (SundanceTV)
Who Will Win: Big Little Lies
Who Should Win: Big Little Lies
Should Have Been a Contender: Godless
HBO will continue the awards train at the Golden Globes with another win for Big Little Lies. Though the HFPA has been known to throw a curveball here and there, especially with shows that have already racked up awards elsewhere, the likelihood of that happening with this star-studded affair seems incredibly unlikely. For one, essentially the entire cast has been nominated as well, which is a pretty good indicator of where the HFPAs collective heads are at. It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility to think The Sinner would nab the award, but given how much buzz was and still is around Big Little Lies, the (former) limited series will be the winner.
What about Scott Frank’s astonishingly well made ode to classic Western cinema with Godless, though? The sumptuous limited series landed on Netflix near the end of the year, but it too offered a star-studded cast that included Michelle Dockery, Merritt Wever, Jeff Daniels, Scoot McNairy, and Jack O’Connell. With a cast like that delivering solid performances, it’s easy to think Godless could have earned a nomination.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama
Jason Bateman ” Ozark (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown ” This Is Us (NBC)
Freddie Highmore ” The Good Doctor (ABC)
Bob Odenkirk ” Better Call Saul (AMC)
Live Schreiber ” Ray Donovan (Showtime)
Who Will Win: Sterling K. Brown
Who Should Win: Sterling K. Brown
Should Have Been a Contender: Justin Theroux
Like Big Little Lies, this one feels like it’s Sterling K. Brown’s award already. He’s already taken home the Emmy for the same role and won a Golden Globe last year for The People v O.J. Simpson, but it seems like his days of wining aren’t going to be over anytime soon. Brown’s long been a commodity on everything he’s been in and this string of wins is deserved, so, really, this Golden Globe almost feels like it’s his to lose. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that the HFPA could go with a dark horse in Highmore or Bateman (whose performance in Ozark puts the dark in dark horse), but this one feels like it’s already in the bag.
While 2017 was the year of Carrie Coon, with her performances in The Leftovers and Fargo, her co-star in the former turned in some career-best work as well, as Kevin Garvey. Since the show didn’t get any awards love, this would have been a deserved nod to one of the best series of the year.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Anthony Anderson ” Black-ish (ABC)
Aziz Ansari ” Master of None (Netflix)
Kevin Bacon ” I Love Dick (Amazon)
William H. Macy ” Shameless (Showtime)
Eric McCormack ” Will & Grace (NBC)
Who Will Win: Eric McCormack
Who Should Win: Eric McCormack
Should Have Been a Contender: Pete Holmes
This seems like the year Will & Grace is set to break its Golden Globes losing streak, and all it had to do was come back from the dead. Proving that revivals aren’t the scourge of television some people think they are, the comedy managed to come back in fine form and earn Eric McCormack an awards nod. While Anthony Anderson and Aziz Ansari could find themselves on stage ” especially with last year’s winner Donald Glover not in the running ” the opportunity for the HFPA to finally award NBC’s comedy is likely too good to pass up.
Though Kevin Bacon’s nomination is a surprise and William H. Macy’s return seemed inevitable, a good alternate choice might have been Pete Holmes, who, sure, played himself in HBO’s Crashing, yet another sitcom about stand-up comedians that stood out by offering a funny and often sweetly naïve take on the concept. It would have been fun to see him get a nod.
Best Performance by and Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Robert De Niro ” The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
Jude Law ” The Young Pope (HBO)
Kyle MacLachlan ” Twin Peaks (Showtime)
Ewan McGregor ” Fargo (FX)
Geoffrey Rush ” Genius (Nat Geo)
Who Will Win: Jude Law
Who Should Win: Jude Law
Should Have Been a Contender: Jack O’Connell
Ewan McGregor or Kyle MacLachlan seem like solid choices, especially since Fargo and Twin Peaks are likely fresher in most voters’ minds, but Jude Law’s turn in The Young Pope, as well as the show itself, just feels like the HFPA’s chance to zig where everyone assumes it will zag. The choice would, of course, overlook another star’s return to television in another revival, but considering how Law and The Young Pope rose above the memes to deliver some phenomenal television, this would be an upset worth we could be happy about.
While it’s easy to think of O’Connell’s work in Godless as the prototypical male in a Western, the actor delivers a winning performance with quiet scenes ” like teaching a young boy how to hunt and where and where not to guide his horse ” and makes meaningful, subtle choices that he could have earned a place on this list.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
David Harbour ” Stranger Things (Netflix)
Alfred Molina ” FEUD: Bette and Joan (FX)
Christian Slater ” Mr. Robot (USA)
Alexander SkarsgÃ¥rd ” Big Little Lies (HBO)
David Thewlis ” Fargo (FX)
Who Will Win: Alexander Skarsgård
Who Should Win: David Harbour
Should Have Been a Contender: Scoot McNairy
This will be a continuation of Big Little Lies‘ sweep of the Golden Globes. Though Harbour stands a chance at eking out a win thanks to his recent status as a Jim Croce-loving Dad-bod dancing meme, this one feels like it’s SkarsgÃ¥rd’s alone. While the actor will be the latest to have a Globe to match his Emmy, this will also serve to match Nicole Kidman’s likely win as well.
A nod for Scoot McNairy in Godless would serve two purposes in that it would honor a deserving limited series, and make up for Halt and Catch Fire‘s disappointing lack of recognition. Basically since McNairy’s so good at playing noble quiet men overshadowed by A type personalities.
Best Performance by and Actress in a Television Series, Drama
Caitriona Balfe ” Outlander (Starz)
Claire Foy ” The Crown (Netflix)
Maggie Gyllenhaal ” The Deuce (HBO)
Katherine Langford ” 13 Reasons Why (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss ” The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Who Will Win: Elisabeth Moss
Who Should Win: Elisabeth Moss
Should Have Been a Contender: Laura Linney
Moss’ win won’t come as much of a surprise, as the actress is essentially a lock for Best Actress. Already winning an Emmy after so many snubs for her work on Mad Men, Moss’ winning ways are unlikely to end here. Though Maggie Gyllenhaal or Claire Foy could be a welcome surprise, there doesn’t seem to be any real chance Moss won’t be on stage Sunday night.
Come on, HFPA, if you’re going to nominate Jason Bateman for Ozark, then you have to do the same for his partner in crime, Laura Linney. Netflix’s ultra-bleak would-be answer to Breaking Bad may have earned mixed reviews, but Linney’s performance was as strong as they come.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Pamela Adlon ” Better Things (FX)
Alison Brie ” GLOW (Netflix)
Rachel Brosnahan ” The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Issa Rae ” Insecure (HBO)
Frankie Shaw ” SMILF (Showtime)
Who Will Win: Rachel Brosnahan
Who Should Win: Issa Rae
Should Have Been a Contender: Sharon Horgan
This is an easy win for Brosnahan, who finally got her star-making role in Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Brosnahan handles Amy Sherman-Palladino’s fast-paced dialogue with ease and convincingly handles her character’s duties as a burgeoning stand-up comedian. But it’s a packed category, as Alison Brie was also a stand-out in GLOW, while Issa Rae’s Insecure turned in such a remarkable second season she absolutely deserves a shot at the award.
Meanwhile, Horgan’s work on Catastrophe was terrific in the show’s third season and though the show is always overlooked come award season, and perhaps overshadowed by Carrie Fisher’s death, she was a definite stand out this year.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made For Television
Jessica Biel ” The Sinner (USA)
Nicole Kidman ” Big Little Lies (HBO)
Jessica Lange ” FEUD: Bette and Joan (FX)
Susan Sarandon ” FEUD: Bette and Joan (FX)
Reese Witherspoon ”Big Little Lies (HBO)
Who Will Win: Nicole Kidman
Who Should Win: Jessica Biel
Should Have Been a Contender: Naomi Watts
No surprise that Nicole Kidman will win for her terrific turn in Big Little Lies, continuing the series’ domination at the Golden Globes. But while Kidman is the easy front runner for the award, Jessica Biel’s performance in USA’s The Sinner reveals a hidden gear the actress hasn’t had much opportunity to utilize before. If anyone has earned a shot at taking the award from Kidman, it’s Biel.
Twin Peaks brought a number of terrific performances that went beyond MacLachlan’s great turn as Dale Cooper, Dark Dale, and Dougie Jones, and one of the best was Naomi Watt’s Janey E. As the ever-doting wife and mother, Watts made the wait for the real Dale Cooper to emerge more than worthwhile.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Laura Dern ” Big Little Lies (HBO)
Ann Dowd ” The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Chrissy Metz ” This Is Us (NBC)
Michelle Pfeiffer ” The Wizard of Lies (HBO)
Shailene Woodley ” Big Little Lies (HBO)
Who Will Win: Laura Dern
Who Should Win: Ann Dowd
Should Have Been a Contender: Gwendoline Christie
Big Little Lies will likely take home yet another Globe thanks to Laura Dern’s performance. That won’t be a surprise, nor will anyone complain, as Dern turned wistful staring into the sunset while holding a glass of wine into an art form. Still, Dowd’s villainous turn in The Handmaid’s Tale is some of her best work, and given the strength of that series going in, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see an upset on Sunday night.
It would have been nice to see Top of the Lake: China Girl earn a nod or two for its performers. And while Kidman and Moss would make for obvious choices, Gwendoline Christie’s sharp, funny turn as Miranda Hilmarson should have earned her a nomination this year.
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There you have it. The Television side of the Golden Globes this year will likely be dominated by HBO’s Big Little Lies, but there are some outliers who may sneak in an upset or two.
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The 2018 Golden Globes air Sunday, January 7 on NBC.
