Who Will Win? Who Should Win? Who Could Win on Television’s Biggest Night

Outstanding Drama Series

Nominees

• Andor (Disney +)
• The Diplomat (Netflix)
• The Last of Us (HBO)
• Paradise (Hulu)
• The Pitt (HBO Max)
• Severance (Apple TV)
• Slow Horses (Apple TV)
• The White Lotus (HBO)

What Will Win?

The Pitt (HBO Max)

The entire night should be a slugfest between Severance and The Pitt. Despite the former tallying up more nominations, I think it will be HBO Max’s incredible medical drama, The Pitt that comes home with the night’s coveted prize.

What Should Win?

The Pitt (HBO Max)

The Pitt is the best series of the lot. It’s a very strong year for nominees. Slow Horses was tremendous. You can make an argument that Andor was the best series on television this year. Paradise was good enough to be here but not good enough to win. And, The White Lotus is a perennial favorite. But none of them were as good as The Pitt.

What Could Win?

Severance (Apple TV)

Severance or The Pitt are the only two series that could possibly win this award. It’s practically a toss-up and if it isn’t The Pitt then it will, 100% for certain, be Severance.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Nominees

• Abbot Elementary (ABC)
• The Bear (Hulu)
• Hacks (HBO Max)
• Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
• Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
• Shrinking (Apple TV)
• The Studio (Apple TV)
• What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

What Will Win?

Hacks (HBO Max)

The Studio has been the betting favorite to win this award essentially since it was released. I’m boldly saying it won’t. Emmy voters love to keep it consistent, and last year’s winner seems like a safer bet. I firmly believe Hacks SHOULDN’T win this award. But I much less firmly believe that it will.

What Should Win?

Shrinking (Apple TV)

Shrinking has become my favorite scripted series on television. The second season was a perfect 10/10. I bawled my eyes out like a baby and fell in love with every single character. Give it all the Emmys. All of them.

What Could Win?

The Studio (Apple TV)

Gotta at least shout-out the favorite. I could be way off base, but I think the biggest surprise of Emmy night is going to be how poorly The Studio will fare. Could be a freezing cold take tomorrow, but whatever. I don’t think it’s winning this award, but it certainly could.

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Nominees

• Adolescence (Netflix)
• Black Mirror (Netflix)
• Dying for Sex (Hulu)
• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
• The Penguin (HBO)

What Will Win?

Adolescence (Netflix)

As of September 14, 2025, Adolescence is the number one series on my year-end list. I don’t think anything will knock it off of there, but there’s still a quarter of the year remaining. It’s probably going to be number one on more critics’ lists than any other series. It’s an absolutely brutal, vitally important masterpiece that will easily go down as one of the best miniseries ever made. It’s become one of the most watched series in Netflix’s history. The buzz-bump it will take after tonight’s ceremony will get many more people to watch it. And that’s a very, very good thing. 

What Should Win?

Adolescence (Netflix)

Not a big surprise here, but Adolescence should win this award. Weirdly, The Penguin was the number one series on my list of 2024, and I had a lot of conversations with people about how I couldn’t wait for the Emmys to see it win a ton of awards. Instead it’s going to work to scrap together anything against Adolescence which, ultimately is a better and way more important series. Do I want The Penguin to win? Of course. Do I wan’t it to beat Adolescence? No. And it shouldn’t. 

What Could Win?

The Penguin (HBO)

It would be a massive upset, but the only series that could possibly beat Adolescence is The Penguin. I also adored Dying For Sex. In any other year it’s running away with everything. Unfortunately in 2025 it just ran into a juggernaut (The Penguin) which ran into a bigger juggernaut (Adolescence). 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This)
• Seth Rogen (The Studio)
• Jason Segel (Shrinking)
• Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
• Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Who Will Win?

Jeremey Allen White (The Bear)

My biggest upset of the night prediction is that the winner of the last two years will win this award again. History certainly predicts that the Emmys don’t like to move on from previous winners in this category until way after they should have (See for example how many times Jim Parsons won in the 2000s). JAW isn’t the favorite to win, anymore. That would be Seth Rogen. I think he shocks the world and goes 3-for-3…and honestly, it’s not like it wouldn’t be a deserving win.

Who Should Win?

Jason Segel (Shrinking)

In my mind Segel made a massive leap from mediocre show lead in Season 1 to a massive star in Season 2. He turned in one of the best performances of the year.

Who Could Win?

Seth Rogen (The Studio)

Again, shouting out the favorite. Seth Rogen has been the most likely winner of this award ever since the series debuted. That means he certainly could win. I also think Martin Short has a fighting chance, here. Before The Studio came out I think he was the favorite to win this in an obviously very weak year. I’ve made the point before that no one should be winning awards for the mostly awful season 4 of Only Murders in the Building. But I don’t think it’s entirely out of the question, here.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees

• Sterling K. Brown (Paradise)
• Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
• Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
• Adam Scott (Severance)
• Noah Wylie (The Pitt)

Who Will Win?

Noah Wyle (The Pitt)

I’m predicting a giant night for The Pitt and, quite simply, that doesn’t happen if Noah Wyle gets beat in this category. I’m pretty confident that he won’t. He’s coming out of the Emmys as the belle of the ball, and this one, for sure, will be his big moment. 

Who Should Win?

Noah Wyle (The Pitt)

No denying Wyle was tremendous on The Pitt. I loved the series. I loved the characters. His dedication to the craft is so obvious in every single scene. Given that he’s never won an Emmy for acting before, it’s undeniably deserved. 

Who Could Win?

Adam Scott (Severance)

This is, again, a two-horse race. If Wyle doesn’t win it will be Adam Scott. Scott was terrific, again, on Severance in its strong second season. He very much could pull off an upset here. The only nominee with surprise potential is Gary Oldman for Slow Horses. I predicted a win for him last year and it didn’t come through. S.K. Brown is great on Paradise, but it’s in a different universe than Wyle, Scott or Oldman. Pedro Pascal is amazing on The Last of Us, but he shouldn’t be nominated here, and he won’t win. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Uzo Aduba (The Residence)
• Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This)
• Quinta Brunson (Abbot Elementary)
• Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
• Jean Smart (Hacks)

Who Will Win?

Jean Smart (Hacks)

Jean Smart will, unquestionably go a perfect 4-for-4 in nominations/wins for her now legendary run as Deborah Vance on HBO’s Hacks. Anyone who beats her will do so in a massive upset.  

Who Should Win?

Jean Smart (Hacks)

Not taking anything away from how incredible Jean Smart is on Hacks, this is a pretty weak nominating year. I liked the fourth season of Hacks a lot. I didn’t love it. Especially in comparison to the third season which was its best. I’d be absolutely ecstatic with Ayo Edebiri winning her second Emmy for The Bear, so long as we get plenty of screen time from her dad, Dele. She was obviously good enough in it to win. Brunson is always good enough to win, so I’d also be fine with her, as well. 

Who Could Win?

Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This)

Kristen Bell is a sneaky maybe here. She’s really good in Netflix’s excellent Nobody Wants This. If you’re looking for a longshot that could pay big dividends, this might be the one to grab. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees

• Kathy Bates (Matlock)
• Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters)
• Britt Lower (Severance)
• Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)
• Keri Russell (The Diplomat)

Who Will Win?

Kathy Bates (Matlock)

Full disclosure, I haven’t seen a second of Matlock. I can’t really comment on it. I do know Kathy Bates is the favorite, here and she’s already won a Critics Choice Award for the performance and was nominated for the Golden Globe. Like the Lead Actress in a Comedy category, it’s again, a weak year for nominees. That makes Bates a pretty safe bet. 

Who Should Win?

Britt Lower (Severance)

I love Britt Lower on Severance and I very much want her to win this award. In a field of incredible performances on a show that leans very heavily on its actors, hers might be the best of all of them. 

Who Could Win?

Keri Russell (The Diplomat)

This is Kerri Russell’s second time nominated for Netflix’s The Diplomat, and in 2023, I predicted she would win. I think she’s a distant third behind Bates and Lower, but I wouldn’t be shocked if she pulled off an upset. Sharon Horgan is tremendous on Bad Sisters, and Bella Ramsey did all they could to carry an up-and-down season of The Last of Us. They’re certainly worthy of a win, but I don’t think it’s likely. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Ike Barinholtz (The Studio)
• Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons)
• Harrison Ford (Shrinking)
• Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere)
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
• Michael Urie (Shrinking)
• Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live)

Who Will Win?

Ike Barinholtz (The Studio)

Ike Barinholtz’s breakout performance as Sal Saperstein is the kind of role that jumps off the page for award shows like this. He’s the favorite to win, and I believe he will. What’s the over/under on how many “I’d like to thank Sal Saperstein” shout outs we get at this thing? A million? If you haven’t watched The Studio and you don’t get the reference, you should remedy that

Who Should Win?

Harrison Ford (Shrinking)

Welp…they nominated Harrison Ford this year after inexplicably snubbing him last year…so that’s a start. It’s actually hard for me to pick between Ford and Michael Urie (who I’ll get to in a second) because I loved Shrinking so much. But 9 out of 10 times I’m probably going Ford. He’s so goddamn good on this. He should’ve won last year. He should win this year. 

Who Could Win?

Michael Urie (Shrinking)

Michael Urie was the upset-winner in this category at the Critics Choice Awards, so that at least puts him in the conversation. When it happened, a lot of people trampled over each other to make the “He’s not even the best supporting actor on his own show” criticism… which is, at least, fair. He was really, really really good on the second season of Shrinking (in fairness everyone was). I’d be happy with him winning here, and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that he could. Colman Domingo is also an interesting choice. He’s fresh off an Oscar nomination, and the Emmys love picks like that. My “anybody the SNL nominee” take is in its record 50th consecutive season. Bowen Yang COULD feasibly come away with a win here, but it’s mostly unlikely given the strength of the other nominees. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees

• Zach Cherry (Severance)
• Walton Goggins (The White Lotus)
• Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus)
• James Marsden (Paradise)
• Sam Rockwell (The White Lotus)
• Tramell Tillman (Severance)
• John Turturro (Severance)

Who Will Win?

Tramell Tillman (Severance)

I don’t think anyone is expecting anything other than a Tramell Tillman win here. And that’s pretty surely what we’re going to get. His scary and goofy portrayal of the creepy severed floor manager, Seth Milchick has been a fan favorite since day one. He took it to the next level in the second season to the point where he clearly stood out

Who Should Win?

Tramell Tillman (Severance)

This is a packed category full of worthy winners, but I’m going with Tillman here…and it’s not particularly close. I love Zach Cherry’s lovable Dylan G., and he would probably be my second favorite choice. But Tillman deserves the win he will probably get. 

Who Could Win?

Walton Goggins (The White Lotus)

If anyone is going to steal this from the favorite it’s definitely Walton Goggins. Goggins has turned into the primetime Emmys version of Susan Lucci. He’s been nominated three times, snubbed for nominations a million and never won. This feels like the closest he’s ever been. He stood out in the third season of The White Lotus, and if there’s any place the series is most likely to score a win, it’s in this category. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Liza Colon-Zayas (The Bear)
• Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
• Kathryn Hahn (The Studio)
• Janelle James (Abbot Elementary)
• Catherine O’Hara (The Studio)
• Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbot Elementary)
• Jessica Williams (Shrinking)

Who Will Win?

Liza Colon-Zayas (The Bear)

This is such a weird situation. Liza Colon-Zayas won last year for her good (not necessarily award winning worthy) performance on the second season of The Bear. The third season was entirely released before the 2024 Emmys, during voting season, and it’s not exactly a stretch to suggest that she won because of Napkins…despite Napkins not being eligible. She SHOULD win an Emmy for Napkin. But I’d argue she “kinda but technically not,” already won it. Regardless, I don’t think it makes much sense if she doesn’t win an Emmy for Napkins, so I’m picking her to win it. Although I wouldn’t be shocked if she doesn’t. And she kinda shouldn’t…but she should. That all makes sense, right?

Who Should Win?

Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)

Can we get Hannah Einbinder a goddamn Emmy? Is that too much to ask? She’s incredible. She’s deserved it three times before this, she deserves it now, and she’s probably the number one person I’m rooting for in this whole thing. Let’s not even talk about the fact that she came out of complete obscurity to land this role with no formal acting training on the professional level and absolutely kills it…for four straight years. Give her an Emmy. If you don’t give her an Emmy, then give it to Jessica Williams. Because, honestly, I might love her more. 

Who Could Win?

Catherine O’Hara (The Studio)

This really is a stacked category, and I don’t think there’s anyone in it that couldn’t lay claim to a win. If I had to pick one that’s not mentioned above, It’s O’Hara. She’s an award show darling. She’s a multi-time winner. She’s in a buzzy show that critics loved, and she’s great in it. She very much could win this. The same goes for Sheryl Lee Ralph who’s won before and Janelle James who hasn’t. Jessica Williams is an absolute FORCE on Shrinking and you hope voters picked up on that. Kathryn Hahn is probably the longshot here…and that’s saying a lot because she’s 1.) Kathryn’s Hahn and 2.) Emmy worth on The Studio. So, in short, anyone can win this category…and everyone is deserving of a win. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees

• Patricia Arquette (Severance)
• Carrie Coon (The White Lotus)
• Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
• Julianne Nicholson (Paradise)
• Parker Posey (The White Lotus)
• Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus)
• Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus)

Who Will Win?

Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)

Katherine LaNasa became the favorite to win this pretty early on when The Pitt started going on a heater with viewers. She’s probably the deepest and most relatable character on the series, and her arc truly resonated with viewers. The performance was flawless.

Who Should Win?

Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)

I was high on LaNasa pretty early on, and I want her to win this award. I’ve got a lot of sour grapes on The White Lotus blocking years of Rhea Seehorn wins, so I think it will be refreshing to see something else win it this time around. Patricia Arquette is certainly worth of the award as well. 

Who Could Win?

Parker Posey (The White Lotus)

I think Parker Posey is the most likely upset winner over LaNasa with everyone else from The White Lotus distantly behind her. Julianne Nicholson, who’s a two-time winner (once for Mare of Easttown and the second time, earlier this week as a guest actress for Hacks…which was one of my favorite performances of the year, btw), is sort of a cliche supervillain in Paradise, and I don’t think she stands much of a shot either. 

Outstanding Directing For a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) “Napkins”
• Lucia Aniello (Hacks) “A Slippery Slope”
• James Burrows (Mid-Century Modern) “Here’s to You Mrs. Schneiderman”
• Nathan Fielder (The Rehearsal) “Pilot’s Code”
• Seth Rogen (The Studio) “The Oner”

Who Will Win?

Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) “Napkins”

Ayo Edebiri might not win for acting this year, but I’d be pretty surprised if she doesn’t win for directing. Napkins is an all-time TV episode. 

Who Should Win?

Nathan Fielder (The Rehearsal) “Pilot’s Code”

Who Could Win?

Pilot’s Code was a weird, avant garde masterpiece that deserves recognition. Not sure the Emmys want to put Fielder on a stage to accept an award, though. No clue what will happen. 

Seth Rogen (The Studio) “The Oner”

Again, could see a slow night for The Studio, but we could also see it win everything. If it starts hitting early on the technical awards that will be a good sign that it’s going to roll

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Nominees

• Janus Metz (Andor) “Who Are You?”
• Amanda Marasalis (The Pitt) “6:00P.M.”
• John Wells (The Pitt) “7:00A.M.”
• Jessica Lee Gagne (Severance) “Chikhai Bardo”
• Ben Still (Severance) “Cold Harbor”
• Adam Randall (Slow Horses) “Hello Goodbye”
• Mike White (The White Lotus) “Amor Fati”

Who Will Win?

Amanda Marsalis (The Pitt) “6:00P.M.”

I compile two lists every year; one a list of the best series and the other a list of my favorite TV episodes. The Pitt is currently on both of them, and 6:00PM is my favorite episode of the series, so it’s on the latter. I can’t really get into a lot of reasons why because it would trigger spoilers, but I’ll say this; it’s undoubtedly worthy of a directing Emmy.

Who Should Win?

Ben Stiller (Severance) “Cold Harbor”

Everything I wrote above goes for Cold Harbor, too…which was arguably a better directed episode, and would be my personal pick to win

Who Could Win?

Ben Stiller (Severance) “Cold Harbor)

This is another one of the many “It’s either The Pitt or Severance” situations this year. I’m saying I think The Pitt will win, but if it doesn’t, Severance will. 

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Nominees

• Quinta Brunson (Abbot Elementary) “Back To School”
• Lucia Aniello / Paul W. Downs / Jen Statsky (Hacks) “A Slippery Slope”
• Nathan Fielder et al. (The Rehearsal) “Pilot’s Code”
• Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen, Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) “AGG”
• Seth Rogen et al. (The Studio) “The Promotion”
• Sam Johnson, Sarah Naftalis, Paul Simms (What We Do in the Shadows) “The Finale”

Who Will Win?

Quinta Brunson (Abbot Elementary) “Back To School”

Brunson has one writing Emmy under her belt, and I think she gets a second this year. It might be the only win for Abbott Elementary for the entire night, and definitely the best chance it has 

Who Should Win?

Nathan Fielder, et al (The Rehearsal) “Pilot’s Code”

Pilots Code was so weird that it could only come from the mind of an absolute lunatic like Nathan Fielder. Again, not sure they want him up there pontificating, but I sure hope they do.

Who Could Win?

Sam Johnson, Sarah Naftalis, Paul Simms (What We Do in the Shadows) “The Finale”

Hey! It’s What We Do in the Shadows! We haven’t talked about that yet! It’s not nominated for as many awards this year as it has been in the past, but given this is the last time it could possibly be recognized, I think it has a better chance at a writing award than it has had in years past. 

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Nominees

• Dan Gilroy (Andor) “Welcome to the Rebellion”
• Joe Sachs (The Pitt) “2:00P.M.”
• R. Scott Gemmill (The Pitt) “7:00A.M.”
• Dan Erickson (Severance) “Cold Harbor”
• Will Smith (Slow Horses) “Hello Goodbye”
• Mike White (The White Lotus) “Full-Moon Party”

Who Will Win?

Dan Erickson (Severance) “Cold Harbor”

Cold Harbor could win both the writing and directing awards or it could lose them both to The Pitt….but if I had to pick one that I think it is going to win, it’s writing. The episode had masterful dialogue.

Who Should Win?

Dan Erickson (Severance) “Cold Harbor”

This time I think Severance should actually beat The Pitt…and I don’t think that for many other categories. 

Who Could Win?

R. Scott Gemmill (The Pitt) “7:00A.M.”

One more time for the folks in the back…if it’s not Severance, it’s gonna be The Pitt. 7:00A.M. Is actually the series pilot. It’s not the best written episode of the season, let alone the best written episode of a drama series in the past year. I think it has a better chance at winning because it was written by showrunner, R. Scott Gemmill, and 2:00P.M. wasn’t. The Emmys think about nonsense like that when none of the rest of us do.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees

• Colin Farrell (The Penguin)
• Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
• Jake Gyllenhaal (Presumed Innocent)
• Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief)
• Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menedez Story)

Who Will Win?

Colin Farrell (The Penguin)

Farrell’s camp has been lobbying pretty hard for an Emmy, and I think it’ll end up paying off. This wasn’t the first time he took the massive transformation to play the Batman villain. But he did it on such a larger scale that it was truly something MARVELous (see what I did there!?) Colin Farrell acceptance speeches are always a delight. So when he wins it will rule 

Who Should Win?

Stephen Graham (Adolescence)

Stephen Graham’s performance was heartbreaking and perfect. He should beat Farrell, but I don’t think he will. 

Who Could Win?

Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief)

Tyree Henry is so far behind Farrell and Graham that it might not even be worth discussing…but he is third in this list. Bet on him if you want to light your money on fire

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees

• Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer)
• Meghann Fahd (Sirens)
• Rashida Jones (Black Mirror)
• Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
• Michelle Williams (Dying For Sex)

Who Will Win?

Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)

Cristin Milioti has won every other award on the circuit for this role and the Emmy will be the piece de resistance. 

Who Should Win

Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)

Who Could Win

Milioti was the perfect complement to Farrell’s awfulness on The Penguin. She absolutely deserves to win.

Michelle Williams (Dying For Sex)

Again, any other year and it’s Dying for Sex in every category in a landslide. Michelle Willams was Academy Award worthy in the series, and she absolutely deserves to win. Have I said “I loved Dying for Sex yet!?” Milioti is going to be tough if not impossible to beat. If anyone possibly does it, it will be Williams

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees

• Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story)
• Bill Camp (Presumed Innocent)
• Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
• Rob Delaney (Dying For Sex)
• Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent)
• Ashley Walters (Adolescence)

Who Will Win?

Owen Cooper (Adolescence)

Owen Cooper is the next great movie star. By the end of the night, Ye shall know his name. His performance in Adolescence was terrifying and gut wrenching. He’s a one-in-a-million actor. Watching him hoist an Emmy tonight is going to be a pretty moving experience 

Who Should Win?

Owen Cooper (Adolescence)

I mean, c’mon. Are we actually doing this? Cooper’s performance is probably the single best performance on television in the last year. There’s no argument you can make that justifies him not being who should win this award.

Who Could Win?

Ashley Walters (Adolescence)

Ashley Walters was so goddamn tremendous in the second episode of Adolescence. No one is beating Cooper. But Walters should also get an Emmy because it’s kinda unfair that anyone should beat him. I also very much would adore the idea of Rob Delaney winning another Emmy. He’s one of my favorite celebrities on planet earth. I simply adore him. He won’t win this, but I loved him in Dying for Sex…in everything really.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees

• Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
• Ruth Negga (Presumed Innocent)
• Deidre O’Connell (The Penguin)
• Chloe Sevigny (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story)
• Jenny Slate (Dying For Sex)
• Christine Tremarco (Adolescence)

Who Will Win?

Erin Doherty (Adolescence)

Adolescence “Episode 3” is the best episode of television in the last calendar year. Nearly all of it is a single-shot conversation between Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty (the only episode of the series she appears in). It’s one of the single best performances in a series ever. Ain’t no one taking that statue out of her hands tonight 

Who Should Win?

Erin Doherty (Adolescence)

Every word from her mouth. Every breath she took. Every shift of her body. Every reaction to Cooper’s words, breathing and body shifts. Ain’t no one more worthy of an Emmy than Erin Doherty. 

Who Could Win?

Deidre O’Connell (The Penguin)

HEY MA! MA! Deirdre O’Connell’s moving performance in a life of imprisonment by her evil son on The Penguin was a series highlight. She won’t be Erin Doherty for an Emmy, but she’s at least in the conversation of who potentially could in a massive upset.