My Predictions for the 2026 Emmys, Week 2, Part 3

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

Since 2015 there has only been one performer who has managed to win in this category twice — Zendaya for Euphoria. She is eligible to win her third Emmy this year but as you’ll see the odds are much against her.

More interestingly three of the greatest actress in 21st century television are competing against each other and all of them have compelling narratives to win this year besides the incredible performances they gave. I don’t envy the voters this year.

Here we go.

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age. For Playing: Bertha Russell, permanently establishing her role at the head of New York Society at the cost of her own family. Pro: There was once a time when Coon couldn’t get nominated no matter how great her work as in so many classic TV shows. Now she’s been nominated for the third consecutive year by the Emmys. It’s a reach to call her work as Bertha her greatest performance but its certainly becoming one of the most fascinating in 21st Century TV. We see a woman who is willing to do anything to get a place in society and in Season 3 the bill comes do as she forces her daughter to marry a man she doesn’t love and permanently severs a wedge between her son and her husband that may never be repaired. By the end of the season she has reached the top of…