Critics’ Choice Awards 2018: Why GLOW, Caitriona Balfe, Michael McKean, Freddie Highmore should win
The Critics’ Choice Awards 2018 are airing tonight on The CW at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time (there’s a stream that starts on the network’s website an hour earlier with more awards), but you don’t have to wait to get some of CarterMatt’s early picks! Within this article we’re sharing some of our favorites among the nominees.
Before we begin, can we praise our fellow critics for some of their choices? While there are still some egregious snubs (there always are), we do tend to find that the Critics’ Choice Awards does a better job of recognizing a diverse, fresh roster of shows than anyone else. They’re well-tapped into the market of what is both new and interesting out there.
Without further ado, let’s get to our predictions from the established nominees.
Best Drama Series – This Is Us. While there are a number of great shows out there in this category, few offer up such opportunities to explore raw feelings and humanity for some of their characters. This is a poignant, important series that is very much different from any other that is out there. Some of the other nominees are glossier like Game of Thrones, but that doesn’t mean they were as a whole better the past 12 months.
Actor in a Drama Series – Freddie Highmore, Bates Motel. Highmore’s probably getting more buzz this year thanks to the exceptional work he’s doing on ABC’s The Good Doctor, but let’s not forget the sensational way in which he closed off the Norman Bates saga in early 2017.
Actress in a Drama Series – Caitriona Balfe, Outlander. A poignant, powerful performance by Balfe, who has managed to secure multiple nominations across several different awards shows for Claire. Yet, she still somehow feels underrated. Every episode she finds a way to bring another dimension to this character.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Michael McKean, Better Call Saul. His take on Chuck McGill in 2017 was heartbreaking and transcended almost anything we could’ve expected from this show. You know what’s also heartbreaking? His snub from other awards shows.
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Chrissy Metz, This Is Us. She delivers in every single scene she is a part of as Kate. She’s relatable, flawed, and perfect for the NBC hit.
Best Comedy Series – GLOW. The Netflix series certainly surpassed what we expected, and delivered a show that while funny at times was also painful at others. The authenticity may have been the biggest surprise of all.
Actor in a Comedy Series – Aziz Ansari, Master of None. Hopefully, he has more time to prepare a speech this time than he did at the Golden Globes.
Actress in a Comedy Series – Alison Brie, GLOW. One of the best TV-related things about 2017 is everyone finally realizing how outstanding Brie is. GLOW is the perfect fusion of the comedic and dramatic chops she honed on Community and Mad Men.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Walton Goggins, Vice Principals. While Goggins was a far from likable guy as Lee Russell, it’s hard to argue against just how psychotic and at-times terrifying he made him. Yet, there were also still moments we felt sorry for him thanks to Walton’s ability to play vulnerable.
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory. Bialik is one of the few stars of the long-running sitcom still getting nominations, and that’s fine by us since she hasn’t really gotten enough recognition yet.
Limited Series – Godless. The sensational Netflix Western really should be getting more love than it is, no slight to Big Little Lies, Fargo, or some of the other nominees this year.
Actor, Limited Series / TV Movie – Jeff Daniels, Godless. Like we said, this show isn’t getting enough love and this may be the best performance of Daniels’ career and we say this as someone who also really loved The Newsroom.
Actress, Limited Series / TV Movie – Jessica Biel, The Sinner. Maybe this is a personal pick more so than a prediction as to how the category will go, but we do think her performance as Cora merits a trophy or two before awards season is over.
Supporting Actor, Limited Series / TV Movie – Alexander Skarsgard, Big Little Lies. It may be predictable, but there’s simply nowhere else to go. Skarsgard had one of the best performances of the year.
Supporting Actress, Limited Series / TV Movie – Jackie Hoffman, FEUD: Bette & Joan. It takes a lot to hold your own against Jessica Lange. Hoffman delivered.
What were some of your predictions for the Critics’ Choice Awards 2018? Be sure to share in the comments below!