7 Reasons Why the 2021 Golden Globes Nominations Could be the Most Chaotic Yet

The Golden Globes have always had a penchant for seizing upon a rising starlet before the other mainstream award shows do, but 2021 could see an ingenue invasion like never before. For the past few years, movie stars have sucked up the air in TV categories like Best Limited Series and Best TV Drama Actress, while awards darlings like Olivia Colman, Viola Davis and Frances McDormand look to be laid up for Oscar and Emmy success this year. But maybe not at the Golden Globes…

The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy has a chance to beat out the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, and this year’s Emmy winner Shira Haas in the Best Actress in a Limited Series or Made for TV movie race. (She might also block at least one of those stars from a nomination tomorrow.) But that’s not all. The Golden Globes have a chance to make her a double nominee this year thanks to her charming turn in last year’s Emma.

But it’s not only going to be Anya Taylor-Joy’s year to shine. The Crown star Emma Corrin might be the actress to finally squash her co-star Olivia Colman’s award show run. Fresh off an Emmy win for Euphoria, Zendaya could edge into the Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama category, thus setting up an Oscar run. Look out for the likes of Vanessa Kirby, Maria Bakalova, Jurnee Smollett, Elle Fanning, Michaela Coel, Phoebe Dynevor, and even Emily in Paris star Lily Collins to also get nominations.

We’re not just looking at the Globes honoring one or two rising stars this year; We’re witnessing the rise of a new generation of acting talent on the scene.

For the past few years, AMC’s Killing Eve has been an awards show darling. Stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer have stormed just about every awards stage and enjoyed a lock in the nominations. That might change this year, though. And the show that could push Killing Eve out of Best TV Drama and the acting categories? Netflix’s dreamy winter hit Bridgerton.

While awards voters know and love Killing Eve, its third season has two strikes against it. One, it came out a long time ago, and two, it sort of fell apart at the end.

Bridgerton, on the other hand, might not have the obvious gravitas you associate with a Best Drama contender, but it has oodles of buzz, brilliant performances, and wildly sumptuous scenery to recommend it. Right now, Phoebe Dyenvor is the star with the best chance to slide into the Best Actress in a TV Drama slot (with Killing Eve’s stars on the bubble), and Bridgerton itself might get recognized by the HFPA. The show seemingly on the bubble in that category? Killing Eve.

Another super popular streaming show that seems poised to make a big showing at the Golden Globes is none other than Amazon’s The Boys.

After a stellar second season that skewered everything from corporate feminism to the insidious nature of the alt-right, The Boys could go toe-to-toe with the likes of The Crown. With shows like Game of Thrones and Succession out of the race, there’s an opening for a profane favorite like The Boys. Not only that, but with the Best Actor in a Drama category missing the likes of Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong, Antony Star might swoop in and earn an honor for his wonderfully horrific work as Homelander.

Pete Davidson, Golden Globe nominee? It could happen! The charming bad boy of SNL might snag a Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy nomination. Davidson received raves for his work in the semi-autobiographical film, The King of Staten Island. Although he might not seem the type to go up against Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda or Personal History of David Copperfield’s Dev Patel, this year, Borat is expected to reign supreme in Comedy Film categories. That means anything can happen…

Given that the Golden Globes loves celebrating young, hip talent, don’t be shocked to see Pete Davidson earn his first major award nomination…

Over the years, the Golden Globes has honored a number of head-scratchers. (Anyone remember the love The Tourist got?) The irony this year is that at least one excellent film that would normally be sneered at might get its time to shine this year. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is expected to sweep the major Musical or Comedy awards.

But that wouldn’t be as bonkers as another movie that might edge into the Musical or Comedy categories. A movie with a fascinating twist involving bees (that we won’t spoil here)…

Yup, some Golden Globe experts are prognosticating that the panned Irish romance Wild Mountain Thyme might edge into the Golden Globe nominations tomorrow. The film’s stars Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan are both on the bubble for nominations.

One of the biggest stories from last year’s Emmys was Schitt’s Creek’s uncontested victory. The beloved Canadian sitcom swept all of the major TV comedy categories for its sixth and final season. However, that victory lap might come to a screeching halt at the Golden Globes.

First, the show wasn’t even nominated last year, suggesting a lack of love for it from the HFPA. More importantly, though, two shows pose key threats to another Schitt’s Creek sweep: Ted Lasso and The Flight Attendant. Neither show was eligible for last year’s Emmys, so we don’t know how they would compare in voters’ minds, but they are both new, splashy, and boasting tremendous ensemble performances.

Expect Schitt’s Creek to earn a bunch of nominations tomorrow, but don’t be shocked if the show and Eugene Levy are pushed aside for Ted Lasso and Jason Sudeikis or if Kaley Cuoco’s Cassie nabs Moira Rose’s comedy crown.

Given that anything can happen at the Golden Globes, I’m allotting myself one dream nomination pick for tomorrow that I’m 99% sure won’t happen, but would still rule.

Raised By Wolves is exactly the kind of off-beat, “totally off prognosticators’ radar” show that the HFPA sometimes warms up to. If HBO Max’s excellent sci-fi series is going to earn any Golden Globe nominations, then it’s going to be for lead actress Amanda Collin’s sensational turn as “Mother.” Amanda Collin deserves awards show buzz even if the show is too genre for most voting bodies.

Fingers crossed, though, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association comes through for our favorite android mother…

Nominations for the 2021 Golden Globes will be announced live tomorrow at 8 AM ET tomorrow, February 3, 2021.