Emmys showdown: All 22 times TV Movie/Limited Series Actor costars went toe-to-toe [PHOTOS]

Considering each of the hundreds of times costars have competed directly against one another at the Primetime Emmys, the very first case involved two men – Lloyd Nolan and Barry Sullivan – who both played lead roles in what would presently be considered a TV movie: the 1956 “Ford Star Jubilee” presentation of “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.” Over the subsequent seven decades, 20 more pairs and a single quartet of lead male limited series or telefilm cast mates have battled it out, resulting in nine wins. Scroll through our chronological photo gallery to learn more about every costar clash in the Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor category.

The most recent entrants on this roster are fellow “Hamilton” (2021) actors Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr., who had previously received opposing Tony nominations for the same production in 2016. Whereas every other TV movie/limited series category’s corresponding list includes repeat appearances from at least four individuals, the only lead male performer who shows up twice is Peter Strauss of “Rich Man, Poor Man” (1976; against Nick Nolte) and “Masada” (1981; against Peter O’Toole).

Aside from Nolan, the other TV movie contenders who have emerged victorious from these situations are James Woods (“Promise,” 1987) and Michael Douglas (“Behind the Candelabra,” 2013). The remaining half dozen men who prevailed over their limited series costars are Louis Gossett Jr. (“Roots,” 1977), Michael Moriarty (“Holocaust,” 1978), Barry Pepper (“The Kennedys,” 2011), Kevin Costner (“Hatfields & McCoys,” 2012), Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story,” 2016), and Riz Ahmed (“The Night Of,” 2017).

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions