Viola Davis or Taraji P. Henson?, ‘Game of Thrones,’ Jon Hamm: 13 Contenders Poised to Shatter Emmy Records

1 of 4 streaming shows up for Outstanding Series could put streaming networks on the map for the first time

Every year, records are cemented and broken at awards shows, and this Sunday’s 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards is no exception.

“Game of Thrones” is already well on its way to becoming the show with the most wins in a single year — it’s already won eight Emmys this year, some of which were handed out at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend. It only needs to win one more in order to tie “The West Wing” and two out of the seven it’s nominated for come Sunday to take the record.

“How to Get Away With Murder” star Viola Davis , who covered TheWrap Magazine’s Drama-Comedy Issue, and “Empire” star Taraji P. Henson could also help make history, as no black actress has won in the outstanding lead drama actress category before. Both are considered strong contenders, but they’ll have to fend off Claire Danes of “Homeland,” Robin Wright of “House of Cards,” Elisabeth Moss of “Mad Men” and Tatiana Maslany of “Orphan Black.”

And they aren’t the only potential record breakers. Here are 9 more players who could be setting new standards and making Emmy history Sunday night.

“Game of Thrones” Could Earn Most Total Wins Ever for a Drama Series

Emilia Clarke/HBO

“Game of Thrones” is already well on its way to shattering the record for most wins for a single show in one year. “The West Wing” currently holds the record with nine, and the HBO fantasy series is coming into Sunday night with eight wins already under its belt. It picked those up at the Creative Arts Emmys, so one more is all it takes to tie, two more wins to take sole posaession lead solo.

On top of that, “Game of Thrones” could become the drama with the most Emmy wins ever — if it wins four of the seven categories it’s nominated in Sunday night. The current record holder is “Hill Street Blues,” which won 26 Emmys over the course of its run.

Most Wins Ever for a Comedy Series: “Modern Family”
On the comedy side, “Frasier’s” record for most wins, with 37, seems safe for now. “Modern Family,” with 22 wins so far, has a ways to go, even if it wins all six awards it’s up for this year.

But “Modern Family” is currently tied at five each with “Frasier” for the most consecutive best comedy series Emmys, and is poised to hold the title solo if it wins again this year. In 2015, it has competition from “Louie,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Silicon Valley,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Veep.”

First Ever Black Actress to Win Oustanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Viola Davis or Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P Henson <a href=Viola Davis” width=”618″ height=”412″ />

 

No black actress has ever won in the outstanding lead actress in a drama category, but with already-history-making two strong nominees in “How to Get Away With Murder’s” Viola Davis and “Empire’s” Taraji P. Henson, this could be the year that glass ceiling finally shatters.

Jon Hamm on "Mad Men"
AMC

Jon Hamm Could Break Streak as “The Susan Lucci of the Primetime Emmys”
Jon Hamm already holds the record for the most nominated actor who has never won. He’s already lost another race this year, for best guest actor in a comedy for his role on “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” But of course the big race everyone will be watching is on Sunday night, when he’ll be up for the seventh time for outstanding lead actor in a drama category for “Mad Men.” Luckily, he’s also a producer on the show and has some trophies from the its many wins in the best drama category. Speaking of…

“Mad Men” Could Break Record for Most Wins in the Drama Series Category
Though it hasn’t won in the category since 2011, if “Mad Men’s” final season earns an outstanding drama series statue on Sunday, the series will hold the record for the category’s most wins, topping “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law” and “The West Wing.”

Amazon’s “Transparent” Set to Steal Netflix’s “House of Cards Streaming Crown
“House of Cards” currently holds the record as the most-awarded streaming series at the Emmys with six wins, but “Transparent” already won three Emmys at the Creative Arts ceremony last weekend and it’s nominated for five more. Assuming “House of Cards” doesn’t win all four of the awards it’s up for this year, Amazon’s buzzy transgender comedy could steal the title.

house-of-cards-season-3-review

HBO Could Topple CBS as Network With the Most Wins in a Single Year
With 29 wins at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, HBO could top CBS as the network with the most wins in a single year. The premium cable network still needs 16 more wins to best CBS’s 44-Emmy haul in 1974, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility, given the network’s nominations in 21 categories.

1 of 4 Streaming Series Could Become First Show to Win Outstanding Comedy Series
No streaming series has won for outstanding drama series or outstanding comedy series, but this year there are four that could become the first: comedies “Transparent” (Amazon) and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix), and dramas “House of Cards” (Netflix) asnd “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix).

The 67th Emmy Awards air live this Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX.

See TheWrap Magazine’s Fall TV Issue complete coverage:

FALL-TV-ISSUE-COVER-1

Comments