TV
76th Emmy Awards: Leading Contenders
The 76th Emmy Awards are due to take place on Sunday 15th September just eight months after the last ceremony, which finally took place in January after the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
A lot has changed in the world of television since then however, with a host of new series all vying for the biggest prizes when the ceremony takes to Los Angeles.
We break down some of the favourites below.
Best Drama Series
Most of the main markets for this year’s Emmys include a big favourite, and none more so than the Best Drama Series award, which sees Shogun installed as short as 1/10 to scoop up. The Japanese historical drama has been a revelation since appearing on our screens in February.
The Crown was likewise a big hit when they dropped their sixth season towards the end of 2023 and occupies second place in the betting at 11/2, with Mr & Mrs Smith (10/1) rounding off the top three.
Gary Oldman’s Slow Horses meanwhile looks decent value at 20/1, particularly with him high in the Best Actor market.
Best Drama Actor
Speaking of which, Oldman is currently second in the Best Drama Actor betting at 11/4 for his portrayal of obnoxious MI5 agent Jackson Lamb, with Hiroyuki Sanada the firm 1/6 favourite to make it a Shogun 1-2 next month.
Elsewhere, Donald Glover – known more commonly by his stage name Childish Gambino – is 10/1 for the award for his performance in Mr & Mrs Smith, in what would be his first Emmy win since 2017 and his third overall.
Best Drama Actress
Shogun dominates this market too and looks good value to make it a hat-trick of awards in September, with Anna Sawai 2/9 to pick up the Best Drama Actress for her portrayal of Mariko in the series.
Veteran British actress Imelda Staunton is second in the betting at 10/3 after taking the reins from Olivia Coleman as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, with Jennifer Aniston a 5/1-shot for starring in the hugely popular The Morning Show.
Best Comedy Series
The Bear is a heavy contender in the majority of the Best Comedy awards, leading the Best Comedy Series market at 1/5 after releasing season three in June.
HBO’s Hacks is another series that released its third season in 2023 and is deemed to be the only serious challenger to The Bear in the betting, trading at 9/2. Abbott Elementary makes up the best of the rest, way out at 12/1.
Best Comedy Actor
It’s no surprise to see Jeremy Allen White leading the market here, after already picking up an Emmy and two Golden Globe awards for his popular portrayal of Carmy in The Bear. It would take a massive upset for anyone to overturn his odds of 1/9 for another Emmy here.
Martin Short is another prominent figure in the betting for his work in Only Murders in the Building at 9/2, while Matt Berry (8/1) is the only other actor with single-figure odds.
Best Comedy Actress
This is the most evenly-contested market out of the selected awards, with Jean Smart the odds-on favourite for her work in Hacks but trading at 4/9 – the largest odds for any of the market leaders.
Her main competition will come in the form of The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri – who has already won an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild Award for her portrayal of Sydney Adamu – at 5/2, while there is also a mention for Selena Gomez (12/1) in the aforementioned Only Murders in the Building.
