Emmys 2022: Lead Actor In A Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees!

With Succession back in the Emmy hunt this year, the HBO drama's leading men, Brian Cox and (2020 victor) Jeremy Strong, will undoubtedly be in the Lead Actor mix once again.

And considering we just bestowed on Strong TVLine's Performer of the Year honor, it's probably a safe bet that Kendall Roy's alter ego will make our Dream Emmy short list below. But what about Cox, who stars as the Roy family's hard-nosed, disapproving patriarch Logan?

Scroll through the list below to review all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren't predictions; they're wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a "Hell, yes!," "Um, no" or "How could you leave off so-and-so?!"A previous version of this Dream Emmys feature included 1883's Sam Elliott, who is in fact competing in the Lead Actor in a Limited Series category.For the record, 2022 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 16-27, and unveiled on July 12. The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Monday, Sept. 12 on NBC.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream NomineesOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As bellowing corporate titan Logan Roy, Cox dominates every room he enters, but Season 3 proved he's not just all bluster. Logan faced a serious challenge from his son Kendall, but the old man managed to fend him off, with Cox twisting the knife with a barrage of vicious put-downs. Episode 8's dinner scene between Logan and Kendall was an absolute masterclass, as Logan dismantled his son's ego with chilling precision. Logan could easily become a one-dimensional cartoon, but Cox skillfully added depth and complexity to show us the man behind the monster.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The Disney+ series initially took place in 2012 — back when Hiddleston's God of Mischief was much cheekier and more power-hungry — thus erasing Loki's substantial growth and maturity from later Marvel movies. Hiddleston had only six episodes to evolve his character from greedy brat to compassionate man, and we were awestruck as he did so in magnetic fashion. His best work coincided with Loki's season-finale transformation into a truly altruistic hero, tearfully prioritizing Sylvie's wellbeing over his desire for a throne. On the heels of WandaVision's considerable love from Emmy voters last year, here's hoping Hiddleston gets the same appreciation.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: It speaks volumes about Lee's work that those braving Netflix's South Korean survival drama come to give a fig about Seong Gi-hun, a sad-sack chauffeur whose aptitude as a divorced dad is only dwarfed by his ability to hold onto a buck. Gi-hun is the king of bad choices. Yet once he is pulled into the titular and deadly spectacle, a greater survival instinct starts kicking in and Lee compels us to track his character's evolution, as well as his distinct dynamics with onetime chum Sang-woo, the quietly savvy Sae-byeok, the gangster Deok-su and, most intricately, Il-nam aka Old Man.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Bridgerton's Duke of Hastings who? As one streaming drama went without its dynamic lead this spring, Lee very much filled the void as Koh Hansu, the "connected" fish broker that teenage Sunja fell hard for but ultimately had to run from, pregnant and sobbing. Lee pulled off the tricky balancing act of playing a man of dubious character who, in the right woman, found his softer, swoonworthy center — only to turn heel just as fast and dash a lass' dreams. Add in Episode 7, which shed light on Hansu's own tragic past, and Lee more than proved his chops as a leading man.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We know him best from goofy comedies like Parks and Recreation, but Scott showed he can bring the dramatic heat as well in Apple TV+'s sci-fi thriller. At first, Scott brought a relatable befuddlement to worker bee Mark as he struggled to understand his time at Lumon, allowing us to unpack the big mystery along with him. But as we learned more about Mark's tragic backstory, Scott's portrayal deepened, too, as he added layers of grief and rage to Mark's persona. We'd say he's earned a promotion.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Kendall Roy's attempt to take down his father Logan may have been a failure, but we can't call Strong's magnificent Season 3 performance anything but a rousing success. Kendall was flying high at first, with Strong lending him a jittery, manic energy that bordered on unstable. As Kendall's prospects dimmed, though, he retreated inward, with Strong exposing Kendall's drive for power as merely a childish need for acceptance. Strong won this award for Succession's previous season, and he's certainly earned the right to defend his crown.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Few actors can rattle off multiple pages of dialogue and make each line feel genuine and in-the-moment, but Vance masterfully accomplishes that as Franklin Roberts throughout the AMC drama. Serving up lengthy, impassioned speeches that hit right to the core, alongside emotionally raw moments that showcase a man struggling with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Vance's performance is powerful, elegant and unforgettable.