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Awards/Festivals , Television , The Daily Roundup

75th Emmy Award Predictions: Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Drama Series


January 10, 2024

We recently discussed my Emmy predictions for the Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category. Today, we’ll be revealing my picks for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress In A Drama Series.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

The nominees are:

  • Nicholas Braun (Succession)
  • Matthew Macfadyen (Succession)
  • Alan Ruck (Succession)
  • Alexander Skarsgård (Succession)
  • F. Murray Abraham (The White Lotus)
  • Michael Imperioli (The White Lotus)
  • Theo James (The White Lotus)
  • Will Sharpe (The White Lotus)

 

In a year where these two shows were such juggernauts that other deserving nominees like Giancarlo Esposito and Jonathan Banks from Better Call Saul were ignored, I think it comes down to which show people liked better. This will dictate the winner.

Let’s cover The White Lotus nominees first. James and Sharpe both earned their first nominations here, with Abraham netting his fourth (along with one Oscar). Imperioli has won one, for The Sopranos. I think that of the four, Sharpe’s performance is the best, but none of them quite measure up to the fearsome foursome that Succession offers.

Based on the reaction others have to the show, I believe that one of the Succession gentlemen will win out.

Macfadyen won last year, beating out co-star Kieran Culkin, who has since moved on to the Lead Actor category. That means the defending champ has to hold off three other co-stars to win another trophy. Skarsgård was very good as the hotshot raider trying to take over Logans’ company, but I would have given his nomination to Banks.

The same applies to Ruck, who played Connor, the eldest Roy brother. I like Ruck. He was very good, but I think Esposito deserved the nod more for his work as Gus Fring in Better Call Saul.

That leaves Nicholas Braun, who is brilliant as Cousin Greg. If I had to choose one actor on the show whose work I loved the most, it would almost certainly be him. He somehow makes a spineless weasel engaging and sympathetic.

However, I used the word “almost.” The one thing that would keep me from choosing Braun is Macfadyen, who works on about 37 different levels while playing the devious and ultimately successful Tom. Last year, I thought Culkin would win this, but that Macfadyen deserved it. This year, with no Culkin, Macfadyen not only deserves it for one of the year’s best performances in any category, but will take home the gold.

Who Should Win: Matthew Macfadyen
Who Will Win: Matthew Macfadyen

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Last year, The White Lotus won a lot of awards in the Limited/Anthology Series or Movie category. This year, it has moved to the Drama category.

The nominees are:

  • Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul)
  • Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)
  • J. Smith-Cameron (Succession)
  • Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus)
  • Meghann Fahy (The White Lotus)
  • Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus)
  • Aubrey Plaza (The White Lotus)
  • Simona Tabasco (The White Lotus)

 

Coolidge won for her performance in this show last year and is probably going to win again, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

First, let’s dismiss Smith-Cameron. She’s a wonderful actress who is terrific on Succession (and has earned her second nomination in this category for her role) but is overshadowed by both her co-stars and the enormous talent beside her in this category. Likewise, as good as both Impacciatore and Tabasco are in Lotus, at least two of their co-stars are better.

Debicki is terrific as Princess Diana, but this isn’t her year.

That leaves three White Lotus actresses and the woman who should win. Aubrey Plaza is wonderful in everything she does (have you seen Emily the Criminal?). I think she deserved recognition for her work in Parks and Recreation, but I can’t go back in time for that.

As good as she is, Fahy’s work as a put-upon wife with an agenda of her own was better. While Plaza’s work was dynamite, Fahy’s was more subtle and dynamic.

The winner of this category should be Seehorn. For six seasons and 63 episodes, she has been remarkable as Kim Wexler and deserved to win this trophy a long time ago (this is only the second time she has even been nominated). The fact that she hasn’t is a travesty.

Sadly, I don’t think she’s going to win, because I think Coolidge is going to take her second Emmy for playing the character Tanya McQuoid-Hunt. I love Coolidge as a performer. I think she’s great in this show and this role, but I think Seehorn deserves it more.

To Coolidge’s credit, the danger her character experiences as the season progresses comes through in a way that is much more fleshed out and developed than what she did in the first season, which was a more straightforward comedic performance. I think the familiarity of her having won previously for her portrayal of the same character and adding that extra layer in this second season will get her back on stage to accept another trophy.

Who Should Win: Rhea Seehorn
Who Will Win: Jennifer Coolidge

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