Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.
Kate Burton as Vice President Sally Langston, Scandal (A Door Marked Exit)
Burton was previously nominated in this category in 2006 and 2007 for “Grey’s Anatomy.” Now, she’s back as the heavily Christian, Southern Vice-President of the United States, who is having a tough time in her submitted episode after making a deadly mistake. She’s certainly committed to this performance, but it’s a pretty over-the-top, deranged turn that I don’t expect will win over enough voters.
Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing, The Newsroom (Red Team III)
Fonda is back after being nominated for this role last year. I wrote in my review of this episode that Fonda “stopped by to chew some scenery,” which is definitely true of her emphatic and entertaining scene. Big-name actors have won this award with less, and so Fonda is definitely in the running if voters want to honor her.
Allison Janney as Margaret Scully, Masters of Sex (Brave New World)
Janney is no stranger to the Emmy Awards, having taken home four trophies out of six previous nominations. She’s also recognized this year as a nominee for her work in “Mom.” She has a dynamite submission in this category, as her relatively repressed character finally steps out of her shell as she is told that she’s not the right fit for a sex study but finds fulfillment elsewhere. I think she’s the firm frontrunner.
Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes, House of Cards (Chapter 14)
Mara was snubbed last year in the supporting race for her performance as a nosy journalist who realized she had to sleep her way to a good story, and it’s fitting that she’s recognized for the one episode in which she did appear this season. While it would be great to see her rewarded with a win, overdue nominations based on lesser material like this rarely ever result in deserved victory.
Margo Martindale as Claudia, The Americans (Behind the Red Door)
Martindale won an Emmy in 2011 for her work on “Justified” and was nominated for this role last year. This is one show I’ve checked into only to see Martindale’s performance come Emmy time, and while she’s certainly good, I think seeing more of her role might be necessary to fully appreciate her talent. Her submitted episode finds her acting scared, which we’re told is rare but don’t have the opportunity to truly understand or know based on her very limited screen time.
Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell, Game of Thrones (The Lion and the Rose)
This is Rigg’s seventh career Emmy nomination and her second for this role. She has won once before, for her performance in “Rebecca” in 1997. Rigg has a fabulous recurring role on her show, though her submitted episode, which features the Purple Wedding, doesn’t give her too much screen time. She does make the most of her scenes with Tywin and Sansa, but it’s not enough for a win.
Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who will win (based on individual episodes): Janney or Mara
Who will win: I think Janney has this in the bag.
Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
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