Emmys 2020: Lead Actor, Limited Series — 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 Limited Series or Movie, then give us your thoughts!

ANDRÉ HOLLAND, THE EDDY

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Netflix's moody, artsy Parisian jazz club drama was definitely a slow burn, but Holland's intense lead performance made sure that it kept smoldering. As conflicted club owner Elliot, Holland juggled complicated relationships with Elliot's headstrong daughter Julie and his ex Maja, along with an overwhelming wave of grief following the murder of his friend. Through it all, Elliot's love of music held him together — and Holland's thoughtful work held the disparate, messy parts of The Eddy together, too.

HUGH JACKMAN, BAD EDUCATION

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Because it took less than two hours for Jackman's Frank Tassone to transform from charming do-gooder to conniving criminal, and it was fascinating to watch him unravel. As the New York superintendent embroiled in a massive embezzlement scheme, Jackman took his time revealing Frank's deceitful side, always quick to wrap the character's manipulation in a charismatic grin. But underneath all that cologne and eye cream was some serious corruption, and Jackman played Frank's downfall with quiet, gripping intensity.

MARK RUFFALO, I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The moment it was announced that Ruffalo would portray twin brothers in HBO's miniseries, we suspected an Emmy-worthy performance was in the works — and yet we were still floored by what the actor accomplished in six harrowing episodes. It was easy to forget that Ruffalo was playing both Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, as he crafted such a distinct walk, talk and demeanor for each brother. And though the subject matter was often quite bleak, Ruffalo's breathtaking work — especially his heart-rending portrayal of Thomas' schizophrenia — kept us transfixed until the final frame.

NICK OFFERMAN, DEVS

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Offerman wowed us with an expansive range of emotions, playing a CEO who tragically lost his daughter. As his character Forest's stoic veneer slowly cracked, a trifecta of rage, grief and determination was exposed, all of which the actor expertly executed. Forest's ruthlessness was dangerously paired with a disbelief in free will, leading him to erratically gamble with others' fates and toss morality by the wayside. Offerman's controlled performance softened Forest's edges at all the right moments, allowing us to cut through his complicated layers and glimpse directly into his shattered heart.

PAUL MESCAL, NORMAL PEOPLE

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: For as good a writer as the Hulu drama told us Connell was, he had an awful time talking — which worked out fantastically for Mescal. He tapped into his character's frustration and played to the hilt his struggle with self-expression, whether Connell was grappling with his feelings for soulmate Marianne or just trying to participate at uni. What's more, the actor's whole-body depiction of grief following the suicide of Connell's school chum isn't just the stuff that Emmy dreams are made of, it's the stuff that makes them come true.

SACHA BARON COHEN, THE SPY

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Portraying real-life Mossad spy Eli Cohen in Netflix's riveting six-episode thriller afforded funnyman Cohen the rare opportunity to flex his dramatic acting chops. And the artist formerly known as Borat more than rose to the occasion, delivering a searing, visceral performance that peaked in the series' tense and ultimately (and inevitably) somber finale.