The tightest race in the BuzzMeter finds just one point separating the Top 2, with Carey Mulligan precariously perched at No. 1. Seemingly the entire panel has arguments for both her and Sally Field.
“I’m aware that the juice around the ‘Beef’ franchise will likely lift the gifted Carey Mulligan for her impossibly unsympathetic role,” says Matt Roush, “but Emmy voters really like Sally Field. Plus: likability.”
Trey Mangum argues, “Before nominations, I would have said this would be Carey Mulligan and Sarah Pidgeon going head-to-head. But this is very clearly a moment for Sally Field.”
Tracy Brown counters, “Sally Field is great … but I think this one will go to [Mulligan], whose unhappily married Lindsay grows increasingly unhinged and furious.” Glenn Whipp says, “Carey Mulligan has three Oscar nominations, but no trophies. Maybe she can make good on her first Emmy nomination as the unhinged, unhappy wife on ‘Beef.’ ”
Kristen Baldwin thinks the voters will take Mulligan, but adds, “Had ‘DTF St. Louis’ [starring supporting actress nominee Linda Cardellini] chosen not to submit its phenomenal cast as supporting actors, the story would likely have a very different ending.”
More predictions: Limited series | Limited/TV movie actor
1. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
2. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
3. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette”
4. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
5. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
Los Angeles Times
Lorraine Ali
1. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
2. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
3. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
4. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
5. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
“Weirdest: the Netflix film ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures,’ where Sally Field plays a grieving widow and cleaner at an aquarium who bonds with a giant octopus named Marcellus. He is voiced by Alfred Molina. Most likely to win: ‘Beef’s’ Carey Mulligan for her portrayal of an interior designer trapped in a bad marriage.”
Freelance Critic
Kristen Baldwin
1. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
2. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
3. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
4. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
5. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
“Though ‘Beef’ itself will probably lose the limited series Emmy, Netflix should clean up in the category’s lead acting races, with stars Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac. (Had ‘DTF St. Louis’ chosen not to submit its phenomenal cast as supporting actors, the story would likely have a very different ending.)”
Los Angeles Times
Tracy Brown
1. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
2. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
3. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
4. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
5. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
“Sally Field is great as a grieving widow in the feel-good ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures,’ but I think this one will go to ‘Beef’s’ Carey Mulligan, whose unhappily married Lindsay grows increasingly unhinged and furious as the central feud intensifies.”
Blavity
Trey Mangum
1. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
2. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
3. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
4. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
5. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
“Before nominations, I would have said this would be Carey Mulligan and Sarah Pidgeon going head-to-head. But this is very clearly a moment for Sally Field, and I think folks will want to meet the moment and have her take it here.”
TV Insider
Matt Roush
1. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
2. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
3. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
4. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
5. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
“I’m aware that the juice around the ‘Beef’ franchise will likely lift the gifted Carey Mulligan for her impossibly unsympathetic role, but Emmy voters really like Sally Field. Plus: likability. And was there a more impressive breakout performance all year than Sarah Pidgeon as the beautiful, doomed Kennedy bride?”
Los Angeles Times
Glenn Whipp
1. Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
2. Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
3. Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
4. Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
5. Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
“Carey Mulligan has three Oscar nominations but no trophies. Maybe she can make good on her first Emmy nomination as the unhinged, unhappy wife on ‘Beef.’”