Complete list of eligible Leading Actor and Actress in a Play

Complete list of those eligible for Leading Actor in a Play (20!):

An EXTREMELY competitive category – almost all of these actors got favorable reviews and could get nominated in a less competitive year

Kevin Anderson – Outer Critics Circle nom
Hank Azaria
Norbert Leo Butz
Kevin Chamberlin
Brian Cox
Ben Daniels – Outer Critics Circle nom
Charles Edwards
Laurence Fishburne – Outer Critics Circle nom (as solo performance)
Morgan Freeman
Terrence Howard
James Earl Jones
Kevin Kline – Outer Critics Circle nom, Drama Desk nom
Nathan Lane
Jefferson Mays
Ian McShane
Chazz Palmintieri
Mark Rylance – Drama Desk nom
Jimmi Simpson
Rufus Sewell – Drama Desk nom
Patrick Stewart – Outer Critics Circle nom

My personal predictions are:
Locks to be nominated: Patrick Stewart
Likely to be nominated: Ben Daniels, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Kline, Mark Rylance,
Possible to be nominated: Norbert Leo Butz, Brian Cox, Charles Edwards, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Jefferson Mays, Ian McShane, Chazz Palmintieri, Rufus Sewell
Maybe next year: Kevin Anderson, Hank Azaria, Kevin Chamberlin, Terrence Howard, Jimmi Simpson

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Complete list of those eligible for Leading Actress in a Play (13):

Eve Best – Outer Critics Circle nom
Margaret Colin
Claire Danes
Deanna Dunagan – Outer Critics Circle nom, Drama Desk nom
Kate Fleetwood
Jennifer Garner
Harriet Harris (Old Acquaintance)
Laura Linney – Outer Critics Circle nom
Frances McDormand – Drama Desk nom
S Epatha Merkerson – Outer Critics Circle nom
Amy Morton – Drama Desk nom
Martha Plimpton (Cymbeline)
Anika Noni Rose

My personal predictions are:
Locks to be nominated: Deanna Dunagan, Amy Morton
Likely to be nominated: Kate Fleetwood, Laura Linney, S Epatha Merkerson
Possible to be nominated: Eve Best, Claire Danes, Jennifer Garner, Frances McDormand, Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose
Maybe next year: Margaret Colin, Harriet Harris

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I think it's hard to say, although I agree that Eve Best, Laura Linney, Anika Noni Rose, and maybe Frances McDormand or the real contenders for that last spot. (Kate Fleetwood may be in danger of losing her spot as well -- given how much hype was made about Macbeth, it hasn't done as well this awards season as I would have though.)

This is my reasoning. Eve Best was excellent, but The Homecoming has closed and was a little chilly for many audience members. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof may get ignored completely by the nominating committee. Laura Linney is a bigger star with a more extensive New York theater track record than either Anika or Eve (it shouldn't matter but sometimes it does). Frances McDormand is a bigger star than any of them, but The Country Girl might get shut out, too. (I think Liaisons will get at least set and/or costumes.)

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