Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

F. Murray Abraham as Dar Adal, Homeland (Long Time Coming)
Abraham has been recurring on his show for a while now, and in the season finale he returned with a major part that redefined his role on the series. He’s always been a subtle performer who has made his character very mysterious, and that’s definitely the case in this episode. The show may have returned to favor this year with voters, so Abraham could benefit strongly from that renewed affection.

Alan Alda as Alan Fitch, The Blacklist (The Decemberist)
Alda is a respected actor who most recently won an Emmy for his work as a presidential candidate on “The West Wing.” Alda is talented, to be sure, but his minimal performance as a politician who has to face the consequences of his actions in a tragic way isn’t much to write home about, due largely to the quality of the show. I don’t see him winning.

Beau Bridges as Barton Scully, Masters of Sex (Parallax)
Bridges was nominated last year for this part and has earned a handful of other nominations (and wins) in this and other categories over the past few decades. Bridges submitted the season premiere of his show in which he undergoes shock therapy in an attempt to forcibly change his sexuality and struggles with the repercussions of it. It’s a formidable performance and one that contains deep emotion. Bridges could easily win.

Reg E. Cathey as Freddy, House of Cards (Chapter 34)
Cathey was nominated last year for a recurring performance, and now he’s recognized again for his one major appearance this season. Seeing Freddy in his new role and then watching how casually the president interacted with him was compelling, but I don’t think that this appearance is substantial enough for him to take home a trophy.

Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning, The Good Wife (Red Zone)
Fox wasn’t nominated last year but was for this role the three years before that, and he won this award back in 2008 for “Rescue Me.” He’s back in his submitted episode as the devious Louis Canning, who uses his physical condition to gain sympathy from the judge. It’s not a big part but a fabulous example of his work as always that’s definitely among the most entertaining in this bunch.

Pablo Schreiber as Pornstache, Orange is the New Black (40 Oz of Furlough)
Schreiber was one of the most outlandish parts of his show as a series regular back when it was considered a comedy, and now he’s recognized as a dramatic guest actor for returning in a particularly ferocious display of power. Schreiber is great, but I don’t think he’ll impress from within this field for this episode.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who will win (based on individual episodes): Fox or Bridges
Who will win: I think it will be Bridges.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series