Disruptions to filming from Covid-19 had upended awards races, leaving previous winners out of contention for TV’s highest honors last year. Now, series such as HBO’s media dynasty drama Succession and actors including Bill Hader, Rachel Brosnahan and Donald Glover are in the hunt again.

Succession racked up the most nominations of any show – 25 – and is considered a favorite for the night’s top prize of best drama. The series was not eligible last year, opening the door for royal family tale The Crown to claim the honor.

The Crown did not release a new season during this year’s Emmy window. “So ‘Succession doesn’t have to worry about them, but it’s got a bunch of new shows that are really hot” to fend off, said Chris Beachum, managing editor at the Gold Derby website.

They include Netflix’s South Korean drama Squid Game – a global hit that inspired Halloween costumes and boosted sales of track suits – and workplace thriller Severance from Apple TV+. Voters also could opt to honor the final seasons of Ozark or Better Call Saul, said Entertainment Weekly editor-in-chief Patrick Gomez.

Winners will be announced at a red-carpet ceremony broadcast live from Los Angeles on Comcast Corp’s NBC network and streaming on Peacock. Comedian and longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Keenan Thompson will host.

Feel-good, fish-out-of-water story Ted Lasso may repeat as best comedy, though Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building could pull off a victory, awards watchers said.

The show – starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as true crime podcasters – likely benefited from the airing of its second season during the Emmy voting period, Beachum said. A similar move helped boost Lasso last year, he said.

Lasso star Jason Sudeikis will face off with Glover for Atlanta, Bill Hader for Barry and both Short and Martin from Only Murders for the lead comedy actor accolade.

Like many of this year’s races, the winner in that contest is tough to call, Gomez said. “There are usually only one or two categories that are a little bit of a toss up, and here there’s a handful,” he said. “We’re all going to be in for some surprises.”