AFT Awards: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This is the fourth category of the 1st Annual AFT Television Awards to be announced. Episodes listed in parantheses for actors and shows indicate a great sample of their work, however I look at the entire season when choosing my nominees and winners. Nominees are listed in alphabetical order.

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

ETHAN EMBRY AS DECLAN, BROTHERHOOD (Matthew 22:10)
Embry stands out in a remarkably solid cast of actors in this great new mob drama set in Providence. As a cop in a town of criminals, most of whom he grew up with and calls his close friends, Declan was a character that could have gone either way, memorable or completely forgettable, but Embry gives him just the right ambivalence to serve as a compelling character. He is excellent the entire season, and only gets better as it goes along.

G.W. BAILEY AS LT. PROVENZA, THE CLOSER (To Protect and Serve)
Bailey is continually excellent as the eternally sardonic and pessimistic Lt. Provenza. His relationship with Chief Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) is the most enticing of all to watch, especially in the finale. His unexpected friendship with Lt. Flynn is also entertaining, and "To Protect and Serve" is a great showcase for Bailey.

MICHAEL WETHERLY AS TONY, NCIS (Friends & Lovers)
In an uneven season of "NCIS", Tony DiNozzo stays in the spotlight and remains a great character to watch. Wetherly's performance only gets better as he embarks upon his first serious relationship, and his comedic timing is matched by his dramatic skill, and "Friends & Lovers" provides a great mix of both.

WILLIAM FICHTNER AS MAHONE, PRISON BREAK (Manhunt)
After being the best part of ABC's cancelled show "Invasion" from last year, Fichtner joins the cast of "Prison Break" and anchors a wildly uneven season. From his first moments in the intense season premiere, Fichtner really brings the tortured Mahone to life and provides a perfect complement to the subtle and understated Michael (Wentworth Miller).

WALTON GOGGINS AS SHANE, THE SHIELD (Haunts)
After five seasons of a steady performance as the hotheaded and often ignorant Shane, Goggins excels in this season as he comes to terms with the mistakes he has made and continues to make. His scenes with Michael Chiklis are particularly excellent, and Goggins really makes Shane's sort of "Southern hick" nature work to both his advantage and his detriment.

And the winner is...
WILLIAM FICHTNER, PRISON BREAK

Next: To be announced