Emmy Category Analysis: Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

By Abe Friedtanzer

Sydney Sweeney as Cassie in Euphoria

Not a single one of last year’s nominees in this category was eligible this time around. Only two nominees this year have been nominated before for these roles (despite a few other eligible previous nominees like Chrissy Metz, Millie Bobby Brown, and Fiona Shaw):  Two-time winner Julia Garner, looking to make it three for three for the final season of Ozark, and Sarah Snook, back for the juggernaut nominations leader Succession. There’s plenty of new competition, though, that could make the outcome interesting.

Brief descriptions of the nominees below - click on the episode titles for spoiler-filled reviews…

Jung Ho-yeon as Player 67 and Lee Yoo-mi as Player 240 in Squid Game

NOMINEES:

• Patricia Arquette - Severance - Episode: “What’s for Dinner” (Season 1, Episode 8)

  • Description: In the penultimate installment of the season, Harmony is forced to deal with an unexpected turn of events and a shifting power dynamic.

• Julia Garner - Ozark - Episode: “Sanctified” (Season 4, Episode 7)

  • Description: In the midseason finale, Ruth goes on the warpath following a devastating loss.

• Jung Ho-yeon - Squid Game - Episode: “Gganbu” (Season 1, Episode 6)

  • Description: Player 67 teams up with Player 240 in a game of marbles, only to learn that the rules are not what they both thought.

• Christina Ricci - Yellowjackets - Episode: “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi” (Season 1, Episode 10)

  • Description: Misty makes a public appearance at the reunion and makes a decision about what to do with her houseguest.

• Rhea Seehorn - Better Call Saul - Episode: “Hit and Run” (Season 6, Episode 4)

  • Description: Kim notices someone is tailing her and has an enlightening conversation with Mike.

• J. Smith-Cameron - Succession - Episode: “The Disruption” (Season 3, Episode 3)

  • Description: Gerri navigates her new position and deals with troubling developments.

• Sarah Snook - Succession - Episode: “Chiantishire” (Season 3, Episode 8)

  • Description: Shiv reels from an all-too-honest conversation with her mother.

• Sydney Sweeney - Euphoria - Episode: “Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys” (Season 2, Episode 3)

  • Description: Cassie puts on a show as she finds herself tormented by Nate’s unwillingness to acknowledge her in public.

Rhea Seerhorn as Kim and Jonathan Banks as Mike in Better Call Saul

ANALYSIS:

This is an exciting moment for Seehorn, who somehow was snubbed on the five (!) previous occasions but the generally lackluster performance by Better Call Saul and the fact that its current slate of episodes make it eligible one last time next year suggest that the nomination is the reward. Fans of J Smith-Cameron are surely delighted that she’s here alongside Snook. Sweeney is a double nominee this year, also contending for The White Lotus. It’s worth noting, too, that Arquette has a strong Emmy history, winning previously for Medium. She also won for The Act, and that same year she was nominated for Escape at Dannemora, another collaboration with Severance director Ben Stiller. In short: they love her. 

J. Smith-Cameron as Gerri and Sarah Snook as Shiv in Succession

At the start of this calendar year, Snook took home both the Golden Globe and the Critics Choice Award, though the only person in this category she was up against was her costar Smith-Cameron, and only in the latter race. Since Smith-Cameron’s role is much smaller than Snook’s, who some would argue is a lead, I don’t think the two of them risk canceling each other out. While Arquette, Ricci, and Sweeney are popular on their shows, their lead costars are likelier to prevail. Ho-yeon, on the other hand, poses a serious threat since she did manage the improbable, defeating Snook and a handful of big stars (Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Elisabeth Moss) at the SAG Awards. Her submission, whether relevant or not, is also superb, since it shows a different side of her character.

Still, it's hard to imagine anyone beating Garner. Not only is she a double nominee, also contending for Inventing Anna this year, but she has an incredible episode submission reminding voters of her intense and phenomenal work. What's more her character plays a memorable role in the series finale making her a surefire frontrunner.

Julia Garner as Ruth, screaming at Jason Bateman's Marty in Ozark

Will Win: Julia Garner - Ozark
Should Win: Julia Garner - Ozark
Spoiler: Jung Ho-yeon - Squid Game

 Complete list of Emmy nominations

Who do you think will win the drama supporting actress prize? Who are you rooting for?

MORE ANALYSIS

• Supporting Actress - Limited Series
• Guest Acting - Comedy Series
• Guest Acting - Drama Series

• Writing/Directing -  Comedy Series
• Writing/Directing - Drama Series

Comments

[Ryan T.]

For Seehorn, the nomination is definitely the reward. BUT also hers IS the only role which is STILL currently airing (Better Call Saul's series finale is next week) just as voting starts. This week's episode alone was a masterclass from her and critics/fans can't stop talking about it.

So even if she has another chance next year, this year is likely her best chance to pull off a win. It WILL be tough and unlikely, but hope springs eternal. I'll be rooting for her.

[Peggy Sue]

Julia Garner will win her third, undeservedly.

Funny how Seehorn finally got nominated for a season in which she had nothing to do. She could win if the voters saw her breakdown scene last Monday. I hate when a season is separated in two parts.

My heart belongs to Sydney Sweeney who gave us everything this season. We, the actressexuals, are forever grateful.

[Finbar McBride]

Will win: Julia Garner, Ozark
Should win: Jung Ho-yeon, Squid Game

[ScottC]

I'm always Team J. Smith-Cameron, but I don't think either Succession actress will win. That said, I don't think it's an easy call who will win. Probably Jung Ho-yeon or Julia Garner, but I'm curious to see how the awards take (or don't) to the Yellowjackets actresses.

[NATHANIEL R]

Abe --- ugh. I enjoyed the article! ugh about Julia Garner three-peating. I will always hate that about the Emmys. What is the point in denying other brilliant actors to pile more prizes on someone doing a role that you've awarded them for multiple times already. I get your reasoning as to why she'll win and i think she's the safest best for Ozark on Emmy night but it still makes me sad. Especially given the caliber of performances nominated here.

Peggy Sue -- My heart is also with Sydney Sweeney for this prize. What feverish commitment! Though I wouldn't be too mad about a surprise win for J Smith Cameron in the (very) unlikely even that that happens.

[Paranoid Android]

All here for Rhea Seehorn! She's definitely the media favorite and I do think her concurrent episodes will help her immensely. I can see a very narrow path if she squeaks through the middle -- a Succession split, voters avoiding rewarding prior winners Arquette/Garner, more famous than Ho-yeon, etc.

[thevoid99]

I'm rooting for Syd. She's awesome. She's funny, she can act out her rage, she's also a damn good mechanic. What straight man wouldn't want a woman that is beautiful but also likes sports and to fix cars? She didn't put a curse on the Red Sox in that game against the Blue Jays where they lost BIG. No. It was the Red Sox who got distracted and lost their mind and the Blue Jays took advantage.

[G.Shaq]

Sweeney is the new Pfeiffer. Fight me. Let's hope she doesn't get snubbed the same.