Premature 2019 Oscar Predictions: Best Actress

So, now that we’ve gotten our premature Supporting Actress predictions out of the way, it’s time to discuss the leading ladies in contention. After Olivia Colman won this category for The Favourite, which actress could follow in her footsteps? Let’s take a look:

Current Predicted Five:

Bold- Winner

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet: Cynthia Erivo’s star has been on a meteoric rise as of late. After winning a Tony, a Grammy, and a Daytime Emmy for her involvement on the stage musical The Color Purple, she broke through into film last year with both Bad Times at the El Royale and Widows. Now, she’ll take the lead in Harriet, a biopic on famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Erivo has a potentially powerful winning narrative if the film turns out to be terrific. For instance, she’d be the fastest person to complete her EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and be the second woman of color in history to win Best Actress after Halle Berry back in 2001. As of right now, she’s probably the strongest frontrunner on paper.

Anne Hathaway, The Last Thing He Wanted: After winning an Oscar for Les Miserables, it’s been quiet on the awards front for Anne Hathaway. But she may make a return with The Last Thing He Wanted, an adaptation of the novel by Joan Didion directed by Dee Rees. In the film, Hathaway plays a journalist who stops coverage of the 1984 Presidential election to take care of her ill father. In addition, she’s got the currently untitled Todd Haynes project potentially coming later this year. So, she could easily be on track for a “welcome back” nomination.

Natalie Portman, Lucy in the Sky: Natalie Portman is one of those actors who ends up in the awards conversation no matter what project she does. Even if voters probably weren’t touching Vox Lux with a nine foot pole, Portman’s performance was still in the running regardless. But what helps her case for the upcoming Lucy in the Sky is that it’s by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a studio that’s become her good luck charm. They won her an Oscar for Black Swan and got her a Best Actress nomination for Jackie. Can lightning strike thrice?

Saoirse Ronan, Little Women: Three-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan will play Jo March, the role that netted Winona Ryder a Best Actress nomination for the 1994 adaptation of the classic novel. In addition, she’s re-collaborating with Greta Gerwig who worked with her on Lady Bird and directed her to a Best Actress nomination. If the movie delivers, lightning could strike once more. As an added bonus, she also has the lesbian drama Ammonite where she stars opposite Kate Winslet coming soon. If that’s completed in time for this year, that could help her case. However, Little Women could end up being a red herring for Ammonite. We’ll see.

Charlize Theron, Untitled Roger Ailes Biopic: Despite being an Oscar-winning actress, Theron’s talents still go overlooked. She’s been in the running for her third Oscar nomination with Young Adult, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Tully but to no avail. However, playing a real-life person might do the trick for her. In the upcoming Roger Ailes biopic, she plays former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly. The film is an ensemble piece about the women who came forward against Fox News founder Roger Ailes so it might be unclear who the biggest lead in the film is. However, because Theron is a producer on the film and is a central part of the film’s narrative, she might end up being the picture’s Lead push.

Outside Looking In:

6. Meryl Streep, The Laundromat: Meryl. Enough said.
7. Amy Adams, The Woman in the Window: As an agoraphobe who witnesses a horrific crime, the overdue Amy Adams potentially has a meaty role to sink her teeth into. However, this could easily be Girl on the Train 2.0.
8. Lupita Nyong’o, Us: Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o recently won rave reviews for her dual performance in Us which has become a smash hit. That being said, it’s still a horror film and also, an early release. Can critics at least rally behind her?
9. Alfre Woodard, Clemency: Despite having a lengthy career, Alfre Woodard has only been Oscar nominated once for Cross Creek back in 1983. But her acclaimed performance as a conflicted prison warden could earn her an overdue second bid.
10. Awkwafina, The Farewell: Awkwafina is currently in the right moment of her career to receive this sort of recognition. After breaking through with Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians last year, she already has a role where she showcases her dramatic chops. Adding to her narrative is that she would be the first Asian woman to be nominated for Best Actress since Merle Oberon back in 1935. If the film becomes a sleeper hit, she could be someone we’d end up underestimating.