Since its origin in the 1950s, the Primetime Emmy Awards category for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series has highlighted many great actors. Breaking Bad’s Byran Cranston has the most wins in the category’s history with four wins, three of which were consecutive wins. This year, Sterling K. Brown looks to go for his sixth consecutive nomination for his portrayal of Randal Pearson in This Is Us. The actor won the award in 2017.

Similar to Brown, Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk has also been nominated multiple times, though he has yet to win. He hopes 2022 is his year to earn the achievement. The front-runners for the award could be repeat winner,Jeremy Strong for Succession, three-time nominee Jason Bateman for Ozark, or first-time nominee Lee Jung-Jae for Squid Game. Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner is also in the mix for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

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With the 74th Annual Primetime Emmys right around the corner, fans of TV series have been ticking off the calendar events, as outlined by Variety, leading up to the big reveal. The official Emmy nominations for the 2022 season will be announced on July 12, 2022. Until then, here are our predictions for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Jeremy Strong — Succession

     HBO Entertainment

Jeremy Strong is hoping for his second win for his role as Kendall Roy in HBO’s hit show Succession. The actor previously won the award in 2020 for the show’s second season. Succession follows the Roy family, who is best known for the media and entertainment company they own, which just happens to be the biggest one. All is great for the family until their father steps down from the company.

Jason Bateman – Ozark

     Netflix

Ozark just wrapped on its final season, and with that, hopefully, an Emmy nomination is in Jason Bateman’s future. In the popular Netflix show, Bateman plays Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who moved his family to the Missouri Ozarks, where he finds himself mixed up with a drug boss. Along with his wife and two children, he must launder money through businesses to keep himself and his family safe and fight for their freedom.

Lee Jung-jae – Squid Game

Another Netflix original series is also looking to be a strong contender for Emmy nominations this year after a large number of fans streamed the show this past year. Squid Game’s leading man, Lee Jung-Jae will most likely be receiving his nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in A Drama Series for his portrayal of Seong Gi-hun, one of the many Korean citizens who were invited to partake in the games for a cash prize — something each chosen member desperately needs.

Kevin Costner – Yellowstone

     Paramount Network

In 2018, Paramount Networks released a new show called Yellowstone, which followed the Duttons, a ranching family in Montana who is in constant battle with others threatening to encroach on their land. Over the years, the show has grown in popularity and gone on to span two spinoffs, one of which was recently announced. Kevin Costner plays John Dutton, the head of the family who is the definition of patriarchy. As the seasons progressed, his character and acting progressed alongside it.

Josh Brolin – Outer Range

     Prime Video

Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul

     Sony Pictures Television

With its last season currently airing, fans are calling for Better Call Saul lead actor Bob Odenkirk to finally win the award he has been nominated for multiple times. The show itself, over its six seasons, has received 39 nominations, which unfortunately did not result in any wins. With its last season here, it’s probable the hit AMC crime drama should finally get its first win.

Brian Cox – Succession

We have already seen Jeremy Strong as a possible contender for the award, but he is not alone in possibly representing the highly decorated show. Joining him is Brian Cox, aka Logan Roy, the patriarch in the show. The ruthless business tycoon steps down from his media company and turns his children’s lives upside down.

Sterling K Brown – This is Us

     20th Television

With yet another season, this time the final, for This Is Us, fans can expect to see Sterling K. Brown once again up for his role as Randal Pearson. While he is going against a number of great actors, Brown has continued to showcase his talents as an actor, making him high up on the list for at least a nomination. During the show’s final seasons, new past and present moments are shown for the Big Three, their mother, and their families.

Adam Scott – Severance

     Red Hour Productions

Severance is a drama series that doubles as a psychological thriller. In its first season, Severance follows a company that specializes in a medical procedure that can separate work memories from non-work memories. One of their employees, Mark Scout, played by Adam Scott, has undergone the severance procedure, but after the death of his wife, he begins to uncover a web of conspiracies.

Jamie Dornan – The Tourist

     BBC

As the lone BBC show on this list, The Tourist may see a nomination from its lead actor Jamie Dornan. The mystery/comedy aired on BBC and then was released on HBO Max earlier this year. As of March 2022, the show was officially greenlit for a second season, qualifying Dornan for this award. Dornan plays “the man” who woke up in Australia with no memory of who he is or more so who he was.