Here’s who’s going to win at the 2017 Golden Globes — and who should win

FX

“The People v. O.J. Simpson” is one to watch at the 2017 Golden Globes.

All the big hitters from film and television will hobnob this Sunday at the first major award show of the year, the Golden Globes.

In movies, the frontrunners are “Manchester by the Sea” and “Moonlight” in the drama category while over on the comedy/musical side “La La Land” is the favorite (and it could take home awards in multiple categories). 

Over on TV, FX is most likely going to rule the day with drama “The People v. O.J. Simpson” and Donald Glover comedy “Atlanta.” But they should watch out for challenges from Netflix’s “The Crown,” HBO’s “Westworld,” and Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle.”

Which movies, TV shows, and stars are most likely to hold the gold this year? Here’s who we think will be taking home Globes in 2017:

Best Drama

“Hacksaw Ridge”
“Hell or High Water”
“Lion”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“Moonlight”

What will win: “Moonlight”
The movie has quickly become an award-season darling, adored by critics and audiences alike. It’s worthy of the top honor.

What could win: “Manchester by the Sea”
Critics have instantly taken to “Manchester” since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival early last year. With only 90 or so members in the Hollywood Foreign Press, the movie doesn’t have to win over many for it to take the prize. 

Best Comedy/Musical

“20th Century Women”
“Deadpool”
“La La Land”
“Florence Foster Jenkins”
“Sing Street”

What will win: “La La Land”
This incredible modern musical about love and how ambition gets in the way is powerful for so many reasons. It would be a complete shock if it didn’t win.

What could win: It’s “La La Land” or bust.

Best Director

Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
Tom Ford, “Nocturnal Animals”
Mel Gibson, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”

Who will win: Damien Chazelle (“La La Land”)
With Chazelle’s imaginative vision and his homage to the musicals of the past, it’s hard to see him not winning the award. 

Who could win: Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”)
If the HFPA leans more toward the top dramas of the year, it’s likely they would favor Jenkins’ powerful story of a man’s life through three important stages.

Best Actor, Drama

Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
Joel Edgerton, “Loving”
Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”
Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
Denzel Washington, “Fences”

Who will win: Casey Affleck (“Manchester by the Sea”)
Affleck’s performance of a broken man who has to return to the town that he has tried to stay away from for years is the best of his career.

Who could win: Denzel Washington (“Fences”)
If anyone could steal the win, it’s Denzel. He gives his usual tour-de-force performance, but it’s hard to see Affleck not getting it.

Best Actress, Drama

Amy Adams, “Arrival”
Jessica Chastain, “Miss Sloane”
Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
Ruth Negga, “Loving”
Natalie Portman, “Jackie”

Who will win: Natalie Portman (“Jackie”)
This is a hard category to decide but we believe Portman’s incredible performance playing First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy is going to take home the win.

Who could win: Amy Adams (“Arrival”)
Adams gives one of the most emotional performances of the year. It will all come down to if the HFPA leans more toward the historical nature of Portman’s role or the fantastical one by Adams.

Best Actor, Comedy/Musical

Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”
Ryan Reynolds, “Deadpool”
Colin Farrell, “The Lobster”
Hugh Grant, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Jonah Hill, “War Dogs”

Who will win: Ryan Gosling (“La La Land”)
Gosling’s Fred Astaire-like moves will likely lead to a win. And we are fine with that, but…

Who could win: Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”)
It would be really, really cool if Reynolds got the win for playing the Merc with a Mouth.

Best Actress, Comedy/Musical

Annette Bening, “20th Century Women”
Lily Collins, “Rules Don’t Apply”
Hailee Steinfeld, “Edge of Seventeen”
Emma Stone, “La La Land”
Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins”

Who will win: Emma Stone (“La La Land”)
We told you “La La Land” is going to have a big night! Stone shows a full range of talents and she should win.

Who could win: Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”)
Because she’s a legend.

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
Simon Helberg, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Dev Patel, “Lion”
Aaron Taylor Johnson, “Nocturnal Animals”

Who will win: Jeff Bridges (“Hell or High Water”)
This category is full of possible winners, but Bridges gives one of the best performances of his legendary career.

Who could win: Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”)
It’s possible with the buzz for “Moonlight” that Ali could slip in and take the prize. Which is fine by us!

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis, “Fences”
Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea” 

Who will win: Viola Davis (“Fences”)
Honestly, anyone in this category could win, but if we have to choose one, it’s the performance of Davis in “Fences.” Though Washington gets all the praise, it’s Davis’ character who is really the backbone of the story.

Who could win: Anyone else…
Seriously, Naomie Harris, Nicole Kidman, Octavia Spencer, or Michelle Williams could get the win. The Golden Globes are known to throw curveballs.

Best Drama TV Series

“The Crown”
“Game of Thrones”
“Stranger Things”
“This Is Us”
“Westworld”

What will win: “The Crown” (Netflix)
Making the British royal family relatable is a tall order, but that’s what “The Crown” did, and did really well. Also, its international appeal is right in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s sweet spot.

What could win: “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
While “Game of Thrones” has never won this award, its most recent season was exceptional. The HFPA may begin to feel a bit behind the curve if it doesn’t give the show the honor this year.

Best Comedy TV Series

“Atlanta”
“Blackish”
“Mozart In The Jungle”
“Transparent”
“Veep”

What will win: “Atlanta” (FX)
The perfection of the first season of Donald Glover’s comedy is pretty undeniable. The HFPA will probably honor that, along with the show’s unique storytelling style.

What could win: “Mozart in the Jungle” (Amazon)
Not only has last year’s winner proven that a comedy about a classical music symphony can feel universal, the show’s stellar cast and abundant international settings will probably earn points once again with Globe voters.

Best TV Movie/Limited Series

“American Crime”
“The Dresser”
“The Night Manager”
“The Night Of”
“The People v. O.J. Simpson”

What will win: “The People v. O.J. Simpson” (FX)
There’s an amazing timing to this series that makes a racially charged ’90s-set celebrity trial relevant to our times. Add to that exemplary performances and it feels like a sure win.

What could win: “The Night Of” (HBO)
Again, this intricately plotted drama is especially timely as the American criminal justice system is itself on trial currently. Additionally, it touches on the plight of American immigrants, a subject that would appeal to the Globes’ foreign voters.

Best Actor, Drama TV Series

Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
Billy Bob Thornton, “Goliath”

Who will win: Billy Bob Thornton, “Goliath” (Amazon)
These nominations actually feel pretty rote. We’ll put our money on a newcomer here (and movie star) whose show hasn’t quite broken through yet. That would make Globe voters feel cool.

Who could win: Matthew Rhys, “The Americans” (FX)
After four seasons, this is Rhys’ first Globe nomination. There has to be a payoff for the recent resurgence of “The Americans” with critics, so this could be the actor’s moment.

 

Best Actress, Drama TV Series

Winona Ryder, “Stranger Things” 
Claire Foy, “The Crown” 
Evan Rachel Wood, “Westworld” 
Catriona Balfe, “Outlander” 
Keri Russell, “The Americans”

Who will win: Claire Foy, “The Crown” (Netflix)
Claire Foy’s performance as a young Queen Elizabeth is instantly relatable and grounded. When you’re playing royalty, that’s a huge acting challenge that should be rewarded.

Who could win: Winona Ryder, “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
Who doesn’t love a career comeback (and a powerful one at that)?

Best Actor, Comedy TV Series

Donald Glover, “Atlanta”
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”
Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”
Gael Garcia Bernal, “Mozart in the Jungle”
Nick Nolte, “Graves”

Who will win: Donald Glover, “Atlanta” (FX)
Glover will probably be honored by voters for not only acting, but creating the best comedy show of 2016. Not only that, his star is on the rise and Globe voters will want to have some part of that.

Who could win: Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish” (ABC)
“Black-ish” is certainly getting some delayed love from critics and award shows this past year. While it isn’t a perfect show, Anderson deserves recognition for balancing its comedic and serious themes deftly. Plus, the Globes can count on a moment if he wins.

Best Actress, Comedy TV Series

Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Sarah Jessica Parker, “Divorce”
Issa Rae, “Insecure”
Gina Rodriguez, “Jane the Virgin”
Tracy Ellis Ross, “Black-ish”

Who will win: Sarah Jessica Parker, “Divorce” (HBO)
“Divorce” isn’t a great show, but Parker is TV royalty after “Sex and the City.” Globes voters will probably reward her return.

Who could win: Issa Rae, “Insecure” (HBO)
Again, the HFPA likes to celebrate newcomers. Rae would fit the bill and her show is incredible.

Best Actor, TV Miniseries/Limited Series

Riz Ahmed, “The Night Of”
Bryan Cranston, “All the Way”
John Turturro, “The Night Of”
Tom Hiddleston, “The Night Manager”
Courtney B. Vance, “People v. O.J. Simpson”

Who will win: Courtney B. Vance, “The People v. O.J. Simpson” (FX)
Vance’s portrayal of defense attorney Johnnie Cochran gave the actor some room to show off his acting chops and not a moment of that went unnoticed.

Who could win: Riz Ahmed, “The Night Of”
Ahmed’s portrayal of a young Muslim man accused of murder was measured and shined most in the stillest of moments. Plus, here we have another star on the rise. With a recent turn in “Rogue One,” he’s probably top of mind for voters.

Best Actress, TV Miniseries/Limited Series

Felicity Huffman, “American Crime”
Riley Keough, “The Girlfriend Experience”
Sarah Paulson, “People v. O.J. Simpson”
Charlotte Rampling, “London Spy”
Kerry Washington, “Confirmation”

Who will win: Sarah Paulson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson” (FX)
It was the world against Marcia Clark. Sarah Paulson portrayed the prosecutor’s strengths and anxieties with an expert hand.

Who could win: Kerry Washington, “Conviction” (HBO)
With a barrage of talented women filling drama roles in TV in the past few years, Washington has lost her chance to win for ABC’s “Scandal.” Globes voters may want to make up for that by honoring her for executive producing “Conviction” and portraying the embattled Anita Hill.

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