Emmy Review: Supporting Actor in a Drama
Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 11:28AM
There were a staggering 455 men on this particular ballot, the most in any category this year (and ever). It’s a wonder that five shows are still represented by eight nominees. The question is whether actors whose costars are nominated – like the boys from Succession or Critics Choice winner Billy Crudup – can distinguish themselves like Peter Dinklage managed to do last year with his fourth trophy for Game of Thrones. Or will having no internal competition propel someone else to the win?
I’ll try to avoid major plot details in my analysis – but if you’d like more spoiler-filled descriptions, click on the episode titles. Let’s consider each nominee…
Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch in Succession (HBO)
Episode: “This Is Not for Tears”
This is Braun’s first Emmy nomination. To me, his inclusion is the epitome of overenthusiasm for the show that’s probably going to win Best Drama Series. He is indeed fun as the bumbling cousin who tries to chart his own ascension to power without becoming a truly terrible person, but his role really is minor, especially in comparison to his two nominated costars. It’s similar to last year’s bid in this category for Game of Thrones fan favorite Alfie Allen, whose prominence on the show didn’t really merit a nomination. He also chose the season finale, which is a much better showcase for costar Matthew Macfadyen (see below), but still not the best sample for either of them. Braun winning would be a shock – either of his cast members is infinitely likelier.
Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison in The Morning Show (Apple TV Plus)
Episode: “Chaos Is the New Cocaine”
This is Crudup’s first Emmy nomination, and he contended for a SAG Award earlier this year and won the Critics Choice prize. In a cast full of talented and showy performers, Crudup is a clear standout, effortlessly charming those around him with his self-assured direction of a news network he doesn’t have much experience running. I could think of a few episodes that show him doing spectacular work, including the installment where he has a Sweeney Todd duet with Jennifer Aniston. The third episode, where he pivots to take control of a major move he didn’t authorize, is a fine choice and should easily be able to show voters how perfect he is for this role.
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy in Succession (HBO)
Episode: “Tern Haven”
This is Culkin’s first Emmy nomination, though it’s worth noting that he was the only cast member from his show to be recognized by the Golden Globes for the first season of his show last year (he earned a repeat bid this year). Culkin plays the least patient and most despicable of the three characters from his series nominated in this category, a rich kid who has learned all the worst things from his father about how to run a business and treat people. Roman is someone you love to hate, primarily because of the combination of smarm and self-deprecation Culkin infuses into his performance. His episode submission finds him trying – and failing – to behave at a weekend with another family, and features some tremendously memorable moments involving his unusual approaches to sexual intimacy. He had a few solid episodes to choose from, and this one is great. He’ll just have to overcome the fact that he’s nominated against costar Matthew Macfadyen.
Mark Duplass as Charlie “Chip” Black in The Morning Show (Apple TV Plus)
Episode: “The Interview”
Duplass was a nice unexpected inclusion on Emmy nominations morning, one of the elements of his large ensemble who I hadn’t thought voters would notice. Duplass won an Emmy for producing Wild Wild Country in 2018, and now he’s contending for an acting Emmy for playing a producer. Duplass’ work is subtle and effective throughout the season, especially as he navigates relationships with the anchors of the show-within-a-show. His choice of the season finale, which brings major changes for the show and network, is smart because it gives him more emphatic material but it isn’t necessarily his strongest work. He certainly doesn’t steal scenes the way his costar Billy Crudup does.
Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring in Better Call Saul (AMC)
Episode: “JMM”
Esposito surprised when he ended up being the only member of his cast nominated for an Emmy this year. It’s his third bid for this role after a 2012 nomination for Breaking Bad and a nomination last year. He’s also up this year for his guest gig on The Mandalorian. I firmly believe that Esposito should have won an Emmy back in 2012 for the incredible episode “Face Off,” but he lost to costar Aaron Paul. With five-time nominee Jonathan Banks snubbed, Esposito has no internal competition for the first time. Though he doesn’t play a big role in season five of Better Call Saul, he’s front-and-center in his submitted episode, which features the return of a few familiar faces and allows him to take subversive action against a rival. Before nominations were announced, I wouldn’t have said that he could win, but now I think he may be able to, especially if he serves as the vehicle for the enthusiasm voters would have doled out to his snubbed costars.
Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans in Succession (HBO)
Episode: “This Is Not for Tears”
This is Macfadyen’s first Emmy nomination. It’s not so easy to play someone who exudes so much confidence despite being so clueless about what people really think of them, but Macfadyen does so and manages to make him endearing. For his submission, he chose the season finale, which gives him some solid dramatic material. I probably would have chosen earlier episodes where he chucks water bottles at his underlings or flails hilariously during sworn testimony, but anyone who watches the show – which I suspect is most Emmy voters – will understand the scope of Macfadyen’s talents. He’s likeliest of the three nominees from his show to win and will have to beat out other contenders to eclipse this, which he very well could.
Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence in The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Episode: “Sacrifice”
Whitford won the guest actor trophy last year for debuting this role in the final episodes of his show’s second season. He also won a guest prize for Transparent and this award nineteen years ago for season two of The West Wing (he earned three additional nominations for those roles). Lawrence is a complicated character, the architect who made his totalitarian regime’s existence logistically possible and whose rebellious activities are motivated only by self-interest. The penultimate episode of season three finds him reexamining his priorities, which is a payoff for regular viewers but might not impress those only watching that hour. He’s still witty and terrific, and no one should underestimate this actor who has collected Emmys for three different roles.
Jeffrey Wright as Bernard Lowe in Westworld (HBO)
Episode: “Crisis Theory”
Wright is one of several performers this year who has now switched categories twice, competing in this race for season one of this show and then as a lead actor for season two. He previously won an Emmy for Angels in America in 2004. I was surprised to see Wright nominated this year given that his role is very minimal in season three of the mind-bending sci-fi series. The season finale does allow him to once again show how an understated performance can be very effective, but Wright’s work just doesn’t compare with what he’s done in the first two seasons.
Personal Ranking:
- Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
- Bradley Whitford, Handmaid's Tale
- Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
- Kieran Culkin, Succession
- Mark Duplass, The Morning Show
- Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul
- Nicolas Braun, Succession
- Jeffrey Wright, Westworld
Predicted Winner: Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Potential Spoiler: Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul
DRAMA
Actress | Actor | Supp Actress | Supp Actor | Guest Actress | Guest Actor
COMEDY
Actress | Actor | Supp. Actress | Supp Actor | Guest Actress | Guest Actor
LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
TV Movie | Actress | Actor | Supp Actor | Supp Actress
MISC
Costumes, Fantasy | Costumes, Period | Animated Program
Reader Comments (21)
Billy Crudup seems to be forever chasing after Mary Louise Parker's awards path. He gets the Tony but only years after she wins hers. He gets the Emmy but years after she wins. Quite frankly I'm still surprised the industry re embraced him after dumping Parker while she was pregnant.
I like Crudup a lot, but I'm all in for Culkin. His Roman is amazing.
By the way, I disagree of your "most despicable" ranking of the Succession characters. Roman is the most knowingly awful, but I'd say Tom is by miles the most despicable given that he wasn't born into/trapped and damaged by the family - he's desperate to join that terrible enterprise.
I have to strongly disagree that Nicholas Braun isn't worthy. To me it's one of the funniest performances on television. All this clumsy navigating of a world he doesn't quite understand but has inside acccess to nonetheless. And his scenes with MacFadyen are always a dream. such a weird relatioonship with such perfect interplay between the two of them.
I didn't realize anyone else was nominated besides Nick Braun as Cousin Greg! Why even nominate anyone else???
That character / performance is one of my favorite things in all media in the past year or so. He's the single element that makes the despicable Roy family story interesting in any way. Seeing him get sucked into their world and somewhat try to resist it is what really gives the show any redeeming shred of humanity. Without him, it is just a toxic glorification of greed. And, Nick Braun flawlessly pulls it off with just the right verve and humor.
I’ll join the chorus praising Nicholas Braun as Cousin Greg! He’s just fantastic.
I imagine many Emmy voters feel the same way, so in a field with no clear front runner I think he has a great shot at an unexpected win.
Hmmm. Braun is squarely in eighth place. Crudup should easily win this, unless voters want to make a statement with a POC winner. Then I'd watch out for Wright to prevail. My personal choice from this lineup is Culkin. Banks was seriously robbed of an Emmy nomination this year.
Really love all these actors!
Where oh where was Tom Pelphrey for Ozark?!?!
I think Westworld, Handmaid’s Tale, and good a lesser degree Better Call Saul saw some waning support. Therefore, I don’t really see any of these actors prevailing
Crudup would have a much better chance had Duplass not been nominated. Now he faces the same vote splitting debacle as the Succession men. Given that it did not manage a series nom despite obvious actor support, can he really overcome this and vote splitting? I think not
There is of course serious splitting potential for Succession. That being said I don’t see anyone who watches the show checking off any name but Culkin.
Just like last year none of the other contenders are strong enough to unseat the front runner (Dinklage for GOT, also another comedic relief, morally questionable character)
My choice is still Tom Pelphrey. :-(
And I'm with Tom G, years later (and years after their breakup) I still find Crudup and Danes hard to like.
Alfie's nomination last year was super classy.
Still angry about Josh O'Connor. He was only in four episodes. He should have been submitted in the guest category.
Nick Braun is phenomenal in this role. Billy Crudup earned this though. Imagine The Morning Show one minute without him.
I am actually predicting Nicholas Braun to win. While Crudup has the veteran edge and Culkin has the showier part, Braun is playing one of the greatest TV characters of the 21st century.
Agree with Nathaniel that Braun & McFadyen's dynamic is wonderful - perfect example of someone (McFadyen) who is under someone's thumb in one area of his life (Shiv) and takes his frustration out by terrorizing someone else.
Culkin is so so good, and I wish Sarah Snook was in lead so there would be room for J. Smith-Cameron in supporting; their relationship is very entertaining.
I love Whitford in general, I think he's doing solid work but not that notable.
Esposito being the sole BCS nom is so strange to me - I agree with Abe that he should have won for the 4th season of BB - but for me this season of BCS was stolen by Mr. Tony Dalton as Lalo. I still think Esposito is so great, just so talented and a complete charm-bomb - in interviews he seems as fastidious as Gustavo Fring but also warm and kind.
I would actually agree that Braun's nomination, while for a very good performance, is more of a sign of the show's overperformance. He and Macfadyen would've submitted better with the panic room episode. Also, I'm predicting a split would happen with the Succession guys.
As a fan of The Handmaid's Tale, I'm actually disappointed with Whitford's submission. He could've easily submitted Mary and Martha (deliciously opaque), Useful (terrifying toe-to-toe with Moss), or Bear Witness (just heartbreaking in his scenes with Dretzin).
Lastly, Tom. Freaking. Pelphrey.
Peggy Sue: 4 episodes of 10? Yeah, this is why we kind of need FOUR categories. Lead, Supporting (both in more than 75% of a season's episodes), Recurring (In more than 25% but less than 75% of a season's episodes) and Guest (in less than 25% of a season's episodes).
Yeah, Nicolas Braun is outstanding. All three Succession actors would be very worthy.
I confess I don't understand the love for Billy Crudup. To me it always seems like you can see him making a big effort. I actually think Mark Duplass was better on The Morning Show. But I admit that part of this may just be that I cannot rid myself of my distaste for how he treated Mary-Louise Parker.
I would love if Matthew won! Him or Kieran or even Nicholas.
But Giancarlo could definitely win this.
Emmys are SO unpredictable!
I really don't get the love for Crudup and would rank him dead last in this category (with Duplass first!) - but I suppose he likely will end up winning. I do see the argument for Esposito as dark horse, though.
Hard disagree on the comment of Alfie Allen not being worthy of an Emmy nomination. He should've been nominated for the second season of Game of Thrones. I agree that Giancarlo should've won over Aaron Paul for Face/Off though.
Having just watched The Morning Show, I agree Crudup is likely going to win. While I preferred Duplass over all, Crudup had the more showier role.
As much as I love Jeffrey Wright, I think Kieran Culkin was amazing in 'Succession'.
I watched all of 'The Morning Show', and I barely remember it.