How many Emmys can Game of Thrones actually win for its final season?

Supporting Actress and Actor; Guest Actress

Here’s what you really came for: the acting. The fans seem to have universally agreed that the cast did really well despite any hiccups with the writing, so it’s up to the Television Academy to agree.

Outstanding Supporting Actress

This category is two-thirds Game of Thrones actors. This could lead to someone being shut out. Lena Headey, one could argue, may have deserved it in seasons past but might get it here as a “we’re sorry we didn’t appreciate you earlier” gesture. Maisie Williams is also coming in strong with her work as Arya. The other two nominees are newcomers, but if the Academy wants to hand out a body-of-work award, Sophie Turner can make as strong if not stronger of a case than Williams. Don’t discount Gwendoline Christie, either, who had a really strong season. My heart wants it to be Turner, but my gut says Headey finally gets her win.

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Much like the Supporting Actress category, this one is full of Game of Thrones alums. Peter Dinklage has gone eight-for-eight in seasons and nominations, so his momentum might just be too strong to stop. Sure, Alfie Allen and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau both had death scenes, but can they top Tyrion’s story speech?

(Don’t answer that.)

Again, it’s a question of heart versus gut for this writer, but the gut goes with Dinklage, with my heart saying Coster-Waldau.

Outstanding Guest Actress

It was one episode, but it was a hell of an episode for Carice van Houten (Melisandre). However, this has been The Handmaid’s Tale‘s award for the past two years, and the show has a new face in Cherry Jones in this category. Additionally, Jessica Lange could steal it all with a reprisal of her iconic role as Constance Langdon, for which she won an Emmy in the Lead Actress category back in 2012. There’s a lot to like here, but let’s go with Carice van Houten for Game of Thrones solidarity.