Emmys 2020: Lead Actor, Comedy — Our Dream Nominees

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards will be airing (in some form!) on Sept. 20. Before the real nominees are unveiled on July 28, we at TVLine have come up with our own dream nominations in 15 major categories. Scroll down to see our ideal contenders for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, then give us your thoughts!

ASA BUTTERFIELD, SEX EDUCATION

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Butterfield's boyish charm was perfect for the role of Otis, the son of a sex therapist who kick-starts an unofficial sex clinic at school. While the actor infused Otis with a cool confidence around his peers, he also turned heel, allowing vulnerability and shame to take center stage and up the funny. Butterfield skillfully steered Otis through many rites of passage — from embarrassments and social dramas, to first loves and first times — embracing Otis' flaws with a grounded performance that perfectly exemplified the awkwardness of growing up.

DAVE BURD, DAVE

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Burd, better known as real-life rapper Lil Dicky, made an impressively seamless transition to acting with the first season of his semi-autobiographical FXX series. As the fictional Dave attempted to get his rap career off the ground, Burd struck a terrific balance between his character's anxiety and ambition, crafting an alter ego whose every misstep — in rap, in love and otherwise — was painfully amusing to witness.

DOMHNALL GLEESON, RUN

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Even after spending seven episodes with Run's Billy Johnson, we could never quite figure out what his real intentions were, and Gleeson's wry, charismatic performance kept us guessing the whole time. Though Billy seemed to possess an effortless confidence at first, Gleeson was especially riveting as he let Billy's facade drop, revealing the doubt and regret that his self-help guru truly felt — all while leaving us to question if Billy was really being honest with Ruby on their journey. Forget that cross-country train: Gleeson's portrayal of Billy was a wild ride all on its own.

DON CHEADLE, BLACK MONDAY

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Cheadle dominates every frame as Maurice Monroe, an ejected former Wall Street trader who, in Season 2, schemes his way back into his trading firm. Though Mo is selfish and brash, Cheadle sells his performance with panache, turning this cocaine-loving "bad guy" into one of the most captivating and comical characters on TV. In lesser hands, Mo's smarminess would be despicable; instead, we're whisked away by Cheadle's relentless energy and charisma.

RAMY YOUSSEF, RAMY

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: In his show's second season, Youssef explored emptiness and existential dread as his spiritually lost character prepped for marriage and dealt with his many plaguing conflicts. He also flexed his comedic strengths, highlighted by his impeccable delivery and timing, as the fictional Ramy tried to balance his faith with living life as a "normal" twenty-something millennial. Youssef adeptly juggled these different moods and tones, delivering a layered performance that beautifully embodied what it's like to be young and Muslim in America.

TED DANSON, THE GOOD PLACE

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We rooted for The Good Place's four humans to reach nirvana in the final season, of course, but we also rooted for reformed demon Michael to discover his humanity, thanks to Danson's hilariously deadpan, subtly emotional performance. Michael's ignorance of earthly customs was always good for a giggle — to him, "take it sleazy" is just a polite way of saying goodbye — but Danson also invested him with an earnest curiosity about what it means to be human... and that made his final transformation all the sweeter.

MATT BERRY, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Season 2 of FX's mockumentary has shown us that while Laszlo is amusing as a cocky blowhard, the vampire becomes downright hilarious when forced to be "off his game" — and Berry has made the most of showcase after showcase. Whether Laszlo is dodging a creditor via the persona of Jackie Daytona, ranting that "Come On Eileen" and other songs he wrote have been stolen or obliging the semen-coveting wishes of a coven, Berry leaves us in stitches every time.