Emmy winners 2017: Predictions for Best Drama categories in full

The awards ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, 17 September

Hit original content such as Stranger Things has helped to spur Netflix's rapid rise in recent years

Last year's Drama Emmys belonged squarely to Game of Thrones, the latter becoming the most successful drama in the awards' history.

However, with Game of Thrones' delay shifting it out of the timespan for eligibility, that leaves a very convenient gap for a new victor to emerge triumphant. And the competition is fierce.

Speaking strictly in terms of the quantity of nominations, it would appear the successor here is HBO's Westworld, which was heavily pushed, in fact, as a hopeful replacement for the network when Game of Thrones finally takes its bow with season 8.

However, there are two major, major competitors that may very well steal the night from Westworld: Stranger Things and The Handmaid's Tale, which have both made a big splash on the television scene thanks to their explosive originality.

Netflix's The Crown could also turn out a major winner on the night, thanks to its ultra-prestige friendly look at the early reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Over on the comedy side of things, Veep is looking like the contender-to-beat for the night, though Master of None, Atlanta, and black-ish could also come out strong.

You can check out the full list of nominations and predictions here, which will be updated throughout the week. Our picks for the Comedy categories are below.

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul
House of Cards
Stranger Things
The Crown
The Handmaid's Tale
This is Us
Westworld

Will win: Stranger Things
Should win: Stranger Things

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Matthew Rhys, The Americans
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Anthony Hopkins, Westworld

Will win: Sterling K. Brown
Should win: Bob Odenkirk

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Robin Wright, House of Cards
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Keri Russell, The Americans
Claire Foy, The Crown
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Will win: Elisabeth Moss
Should win: Elisabeth Moss

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Michael Kelly, House of Cards
David Harbour, Stranger Things
John Lithgow, The Crown
Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us
Jeffrey Wright, Westworld

Will win: John Lithgow
Should win: John Lithgow

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black
Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's Tale
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid's Tale
Chrissy Metz, This Is Us
Thandie Newton, Westworld

Will win: Chrissy Metz
Should win: Thandie Newton

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

"Witness", Better Call Saul
"America First", Homeland
"Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers", Stranger Things
"Hyde Park Corner", The Crown
"Offred (Pilot)", The Handmaid's Tale
"The Bridge", The Handmaid's Tale
"The Bicameral Mind", Westworld

Will win: "Offred (Pilot).", The Handmaid's Tale
Should win: "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers", Stranger Things

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

"Chicanery", Better Call Saul
"The Soviet Division", The Americans
"Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers", Stranger Things
"Assassins", The Crown
"Offred (Pilot)", The Handmaid's Tale
"The Bicameral Mind", Westworld

Will win: "Offred (Pilot).", The Handmaid's Tale
Should win: "Offred (Pilot)", The Handmaid's Tale

The 2017 Emmys will take place on 17 September, on CBS at 8E/5P.