When a long-running, much-admired television series ends, Emmy voters can bring the show and its stars back for a final bow or give them the bum’s rush.
Game of Thrones, Veep and The Big Bang Theory all wrapped last season and will learn with Tuesday’s nominations if they have another chance at Emmy gold. They could also be overshadowed by new rivals such as Pose and Fleabag.
Fantasy epic Game of Thrones and Washington satire Veep look well-positioned to garner top series and cast nominations.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in particular, is a likely contender, having won six trophies for Veep.
Combined with earlier wins for Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine, she is tied with Cloris Leachman for the most-winning performer ever (at eight wins each).
The Big Bang Theory last earned a top series Emmy nomination in 2014, but star Jim Parsons may have a nominations shot: he’s picked up four lead actor in a comedy Emmys in the past.
Awards observer Tom O’Neil calls this year “the last hurrah” of the Emmy giants.
Several Canadians could also be in the running, including Killing Eve star Sandra Oh, who last year became the first person of Asian heritage to snag an Emmy nod for best drama series actress.
Others who could be singled out include funnyman Jim Carrey for the acclaimed dramedy Kidding, Stephan James for the psychological thriller Homecoming and director Jean-Marc Vallée for the dramatic thriller Sharp Objects.
The 71st Emmy Awards ceremony will air Sept. 22 on Fox.