In a savvy awards show move, Gold Derby has learned exclusively that HBO will submit “Game of Thrones” scene-stealers Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington in the lead categories at the 2018 Golden Globes. This summer’s seventh season focused more prominently on their characters — queen of dragons Daenerys Targaryen and no-longer-bastard Jon Snow — which in turn gave the actors more screen time than ever before. Now that Clarke and Harington have jumped up to the lead races, it’s time to go in and update your Golden Globes predictions for Best TV Drama Actress and Best TV Drama Actor.

If this new strategy works out, both stars will be earning their first career Golden Globe nominations. Clarke scored a trio of Emmy noms (2013, 2015, 2016) while Harington earned a single Emmy bid in 2016. “Game of Thrones” has romped through the Emmys in recent years, winning Best Drama Series twice (2015-2016) and claiming a record of 38 awards over the course of its run. However, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has only given the show six nominations, with a single win for Peter Dinklage as Best TV Supporting Actor in 2012.

After six years apart, Season 7 of HBO’s fantasy epic finally allowed Clarke and Harington to share scenes — and bed sheets — together in their quest to rule the iron throne. What the characters don’t realize quite yet is that Daenerys is actually Jon’s aunt, which makes their love scene in the season finale all the more awkward.

HBO has confirmed to Gold Derby that while Clarke and Harington are jumping up to the lead races at the 2018 Golden Globes, all of the other “Game of Thrones” performers will be submitted in the supporting categories. The nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced December 11. Will this savvy strategy pay off for Clarke and Harington?

Be sure to make your Golden Globe predictions so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions until just before nominations are announced on December 11. And join in the fierce debate over the 2018 Golden Globes taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our TV forums. [Source]