There are many outstanding nominees competing at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, but these contenders are entering the ring as the event’s heavy favorites.
The 77th annual Golden Globes are set to be a night to remember as the best in TV and movies will be honored side by side with Ricky Gervais back again hosting the prestigious affair. The list of titles vying for Golden Globes glory is stacked, and there is much debate on who will be walking away with a statue when it’s all said and done.
Out of all the great entries competing in the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, here are the ones who are walking into the event as the number one contenders for their respective categories.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Pick: Henry Winkler, Barry
Henry Wrinkler’s character on the hit HBO comedy Barry is a delight in every sense of the word. In the first season, he was whimsical, inspiring, and laugh-out-loud hilarious as Gene Cousineau. The followup season saw him expand his character on a whole other level. The anguish and sadness Wrinkler showcases while still managing to stay funny is a testament to his experience as an actor. For the Supporting Actor in a Limited Series Globe, the Fonz has to be at the top of the list.
Wrinkler adds serious value to the award-winning series overall, and for many fans, he is the reason they tune in every week the show airs. He has already taken home a Primetime Emmy for his superior work in the series’ first outing, and with his second-run performance topping its predecessor several times over, this one really feels like a no-brainer. The other nominees should not feel bad, its no easy feat going up against the artist formerly known as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
Pick: Bill Hader, Barry
This year’s Emmy winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series is this year’s favorite to take home the Golden Globe equivalent. Bill Hader’s brilliant portrayal as the hitman-turned-actor Barry Berkman is somehow both moving and deeply funny. While the SNL alumn is known for playing mostly whacky characters, Hader proves he has the skill set to be so much more. After an incredible second season, Barry is one of the most-watched series HBO has to offer and given their history, that’s really saying something.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Pick: Tobias Menzies, The Crown
Tobias Menzies isn’t a household name, but he very well should be considering how many hits series he has been in. Game of Thrones, Outlander, The Night Manager, and The Crown are some of the standouts on his resume, and in every role, the actor does an exceptional job. But none have been as good as his portrayal of Prince Philip in the third season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown.
It’s not easy changing an entire cast from one season to the next, but that was the task in front of The Crown for its third iteration. The time jump sees the royal family a bit older, a bit wiser, yet still portrayed by some A-list talent. And at the top of that list is Tobias Menzies, who takes on the challenge of playing a well-known figure and overcomes it with what looks like incredible ease.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Pick: Jared Harris, Chernobyl
Saving the world never looks like it does in the movies in real life, and most of the time, the reason for the heroics is less than Ideal. That is why Jared Harris’ portrayal of Valery Legasov in HBO’s Chernobyl is not only extremely engrossing but also should be considered the best candidate to win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Limited Series.
Legasov was just one of the many individuals that gave their life to fix this human-made disaster, heroically stopping the spread of deadly radiation. This tragic hero’s tale is a David and Goliath story, and Harris should be recognized for his top-notch performance as the Soviet chemist.