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.

Adrien Brody as Josh Aaronson, Succession (Lion in the Meadow)
It’s good to see Brody back in awards contention two full decades after his surprise Oscar win for “The Pianist” since he hasn’t done all that much of note since that breakout. He was also a part of another HBO hit, “Winning Time,” this season, though that show isn’t the overall Emmy nominations leader. Brody has the second most substantial part of the four men nominated from his show, getting quality screen time with both Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong as a man with plenty of power on his own turf. A win is a distinct possibility.

James Cromwell as Ewan Roy, Succession (Retired Janitors of Idaho)
Cromwell has five previous nominations, three in this category and one for this role, and his lone win was for “American Horror Story: Asylum” in the supporting race. He’s the only returning nominee from his show, and while his screentime is again limited, his lines are so fantastic and his delivery is even better. He shares an episode submission with Nicholas Braun, and the whole plot about his inheritance and Greenpeace is fantastic. Cromwell definitely has name recognition in his favor, but I think his part is overall too minimal.

Colman Domingo as Ali, Euphoria (Ruminations: Big and Little Bullys)
Domingo is absolutely fantastic, and after being technically eligible last season for anchoring one of his show’s two special episodes, it’s wonderful to see him recognized here. He exudes such a spectacular relatability and influence as Ali, Rue’s sponsor, who sees her making the same mistakes he did and wants to reach her on a level that she’ll understand, not just say what he’s supposed to. In a field with one show dominating, I think Domingo has a sincere chance to stand out and triumph.

Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini, Succession (Retired Janitors of Idaho)
Moayed has been a recurring part of this show for a while, and I’m sure that, in addition to it being incredibly popular, his additional role on another series nominated this season, “Inventing Anna,” didn’t hurt. I probably would have chosen him for that show instead, however, since he is a worthwhile guest star but one whose appearances are often fleeting and not really what I think of when I consider this category. He also has the lowest profile of any of the nominees from his show, so I think he’s the least likely of any of these men to win.

Tom Pelphrey as Ben Davis, Ozark (You’re the Boss)
This is the definition of a makeup nomination, but given how much Pelphrey deserved to be honored for season three of his show, I’m all for it. Ben appears only in a short flashback scene at the start of his submitted episode, but it’s a great reminder of just how talented he is and how he should have won in the supporting category when he was a regular part of the show. I also had the chance to interview him and he was wonderful. Like Domingo, he stands a good chance since I think voters will have a tough time picking between the men of their preferred show in this category.

Alexander Skarsgård as Lukas Matsson, Succession (All the Bells Say)
Skarsgård was previously nominated – and won – for his role on Big Little Lies. He’s playing someone less overtly terrible here, but it’s just as riveting a performance. The fact that he’s going to have an increased role in season four only helps the case for a win, especially since I think he’s the easy pick from his show. But there will still be vote-splitting, making him the best bet to win from the series but still hardly a guarantee.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Domingo or Skarsgård
Who will win: I’ll pick Domingo over Pelphrey and Skarsgård.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 5/6

I would have thought that, even if his show got snubbed elsewhere, past winner Ron Cephas Jones would be a sure thing for “This Is Us.” But instead, the nominations leader scored a whopping four nominations, with recurring player Arian Moayed (Succession), along on the surprisingly well-received “Inventing Anna,” honored along with Adrien Brody (Succession), Alexander Skarsgard (Succession), and returning nominee James Cromwell (Succession). It’s good to see a makeup nod for Tom Pelphrey (Ozark), whose brief season four return was a callback to the season three starring role that should have won him an Emmy. And, along with its first Best Drama Series nod, the spectacular Colman Domingo (Euphoria) is here for one hell of a performance.

Who should win? Domingo
Who will win? I think Domingo can win this with so much “Succession” forcing voters to choose between its guests.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 12th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Don Cheadle, Charles Dance, Timothy Olyphant, Courtney B. Vance, Carl Weathers

The competition: One of last year’s nominees is eligible again this year for the same role on a different show: Timothy Olyphant (The Book of Boba Fett), and it’s also possible that Mark Hamill (The Book of Boba Fett) or Pedro Pascal (The Book of Boba Fett), who surely came close to nominations last year for “The Mandalorian,” could show up here too. But the show that’s likely to produce multiple bids is one HBO hit, with Adrien Brody (Succession), past nominee James Cromwell (Succession), and Alexander Skarsgard (Succession) likely to garner votes. Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) is a past winner and sure to be back again, and past nominee Martin Short (The Morning Show) is another strong possibility. Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) may benefit from a chance to make up for his unforgivable supporting actor snub two years ago. Other possibilities include Jonathan Majors (Loki) and Richard E. Grant (Loki), which would be great to see, and I hope that Colman Domingo (Euphoria) gets the recognition he deserves.

The predicted nominees: Brody, Cromwell, Domingo, Jones, Pelphrey, Skarsgard

The predicted winner: I think Jones wins again.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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.

Don Cheadle as Colonel James Rhodes, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (New World Order)
I barely remember Cheadle from the pilot episode of the Disney+ series that earned four other nominations, all in technical categories, and I don’t think I’m alone. His inclusion is likely due to the popularity of the MCU in general and the fact that, prior to this year, he was a ten-time nominee who has yet to win. Season three of “Black Monday” wasn’t yet eligible this Emmy season for him to earn his third consecutive bid, so consider this an opportunity for Cheadle to be a nominee even if a win is very far outside the realm of possibility.

Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten, The Crown (Gold Stick)
This nomination is in part makeup for Dance being snubbed for season three, in which he was a recurring presence. Dance, who was also a fixture of the Emmy-beloved “Game of Thrones,” has three previous nominations, two as narrator for “Savage Kingdom” and one for “Bleak House” back in 2006. He’s a sentimental part of the season four premiere, and there’s a great degree of nostalgia to his role, so he would be an easy choice for an ultra-popular series.

Timothy Olyphant as Cobb Vanth, The Mandalorian (Chapter 9: The Marshal)
Olyphant was previously nominated for season two of “Justified” and for producing the “Deadwood” movie. He’s an absolute blast in a pitch-perfect role on the Disney Plus “Star Wars” series, showing up as a legitimate good guy who proves to be an unexpected ally for the title character. I would be absolutely ecstatic if he won since he’s so entertaining, but I’m not sure it’s going to happen.

Courtney B. Vance as George Freeman, Lovecraft Country (Whitey’s on the Moon)
Vance won an Emmy five years ago for “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” and now he’s back with his second nomination. For its first few episodes, Vance was an integral part of the HBO period horror series, and he’s clearly having fun with the role, providing dramatic guidance and comic relief. Next to costar Michael K. Williams, who sadly died this week, Vance is probably his show’s best shot at a major win. It would be hard to argue with him being deserving as a winner.

Carl Weathers as Greef Karga, The Mandalorian (Chapter 12: The Siege)
This is the first Emmy nomination for Weathers, who has been acting for nearly half a century. I’m a bit surprised to see him classified in this category since he feels like the closest thing to a series regular next to star Pedro Pascal, but I suppose he doesn’t appear in all the episodes. He’s a deeply endearing character, though it’s possible that sharing scenes and onscreen sentiment with Gina Carano might not be good for him. It would be a fitting tribute to his legacy of work, and his episode submission gives him some good material that I don’t think will be enough to propel him to a win.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Olyphant
Who will win: I think it’s ging to be Vance over Dance and Olyphant, but I’m not too sure.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 3/5

I correctly guessed that there would be two representatives from a certain sci-fi series, but I only picked Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian), who I’m overjoyed to see included, not Carl Weathers (The Mandalorian), who honestly is a fine choice even if I really do think of him as closest to a series regular. I don’t know why Don Cheadle (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) needs to be here, and I’m glad that both Charles Dance (The Crown) and Courtney B. Vance (Lovecraft Country) got recognized for very worthwhile and memorable appearances.

Who should win? Olyphant
Who will win? I see this going to Dance but how amazing would it be if Olyphant won?

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 13th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Jason Bateman, James Cromwell, Giancarlo Esposito, Ron Cephas Jones, Andrew Scott, Martin Short

The competition: It’s always good to look at past nominees in this category as a starting point. Giancarlo Esposito has been promoted to the supporting category for “The Mandalorian,” where he’s expected to be nominated. This is the first time in his show’s history that two-time Emmy winner Ron Cephas Jones isn’t on the ballot, but a nominee from two years ago, Michael Angarano (This Is Us), could return. Similarly, Dan Bucatinsky (Rebel) had another meaty role on a soapy ABC drama that won him this prize in 2013, for “Scandal,” and he could return again too. Speaking of past nominees, T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) is reprising an Emmy-nominated role, while Don Cheadle (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Courtney B. Vance (Lovecraft Country) and Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian) are both back in different parts. Fans of this season’s likely Best Drama Series champ have the opportunity to reward sentimental favorite Charles Dance (The Crown), while those who really love nostalgia might vote for Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy) or Mark Hamill (The Mandalorian). Other high-profile possibilities include Carl Weathers (The Mandalorian), Titus Welliver (The Mandalorian), and Bill Burr (The Mandalorian), and anyone paying attention to popular shows should recognize the talent of Tony Goldwyn (Lovecraft Country) and Corey Stoll (Ratched), though I’m doubtful either will merit a spot. It would also be great to see Norm Lewis (Pose) nominated for a very moving hour of his show.

The predicted nominees: Dance, Hamill, Lewis, Olyphant, Vance

The predicted winner: If he’s nominated, I think Hamill wins for sentiment’s sake.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the thirteenth category of the 14th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2019-2020 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Damson Idris, Kumail Nanjiani, Samuel Roukin, Jeremy Allen White, Bradley Whitford

Emmy nominees: Jason Bateman, Ron Cephas Jones, James Cromwell, Giancarlo Esposito, Andrew Scott, Martin Short

Finalists: Christopher Meloni (The Handmaid's Tale), Gil Bellows (The Handmaid's Tale), Harry Lloyd (Legion), John Ortiz (The Handmaid's Tale), Clancy Brown (The Crown), Ștefan Iancu (Killing Eve)

The nominees:

Mark Lewis Jones (The Crown)
James Cromwell (Succession)
Martin Short (The Morning Show)
Timothy Omundson (This Is Us)

The winner:

Timothy Spall (Perpetual Grace, LTD) completely nailed the notion of taking yourself far too seriously, backing up DeLoash’s no-nonsense attitude with an attitude that made his unbelievable criminal record feel all too believable.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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.

Jason Bateman as Terry Maitland, The Outsider (Fish in a Barrel)
Bateman earned his third consecutive bid in the lead actor category for “Ozark” this year, with two previous nominations for “Arrested Development” and a directing win last year for “Ozark.” He’s nominated for the pilot episode of a show many predicted to do better in major categories, playing someone much more villainous without the endearing nature of Marty Byrde. Typically, the goodwill that comes from this kind of double nomination would favor the more popular show, and so while a win is possible here, it’s not as likely as Bateman triumphing for his better known role.

James Cromwell as Ewan Roy, Succession (Dundee)
Cromwell won on his fourth nomination in 2013, for “American Horror Story: Asylum,” and this marks his third career bid in this category after previous nominations for “Six Feet Under” and “ER.” Cromwell was expected to be nominated last year but missed out, and now returns for a brief appearance in a season two episode of his show. His screentime may be limited, but he quickly and effectively conveys what it’s like to be the brother of a soulless magnate with a witty and instantly unforgettable performance. His show’s buzz could propel him to a win despite how much shorter his turn is than all five other nominees here.

Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, The Mandalorian (Chapter 8: Redemption)
Esposito is the second double nominee in this category, recognized with his third bid for playing Gus Fring on “Better Call Saul” and previously on “Breaking Bad.” Esposito is the lone acting representative from the freshman Disney Plus “Star Wars” series, appearing in its final two episodes as a villain who, to his credit, stands out from most of the rest of the characters on the overrated show. If Alec Guinness couldn’t win an Oscar for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first-ever installment of the series, I don’t see Esposito winning an Emmy here.

Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill, This Is Us (After the Fire)
This is Jones’ fourth consecutive nomination. He was considered a supporting actor for season one of the NBC drama, then won this prize for season two. His season four episode finds him in a recreated history, one that also serves as the submission for his costar and onscreen son Sterling K. Brown. He’s far from the most prominent player in the episode, but, unlike the last two years, he has no internal competition in this race, so maybe he could pull off another win.

Andrew Scott as Chris Gillhaney, Black Mirror (Smithereens)
Scott was inexplicably snubbed last year for his role in the Emmy-sweeping comedy “Fleabag,” and now he’s contending for one episode of the popular anthology series, which, after winning the Best TV Movie award three years in a row, has now been forced to compete as a regular drama series. Fortunately, Scott’s talents are on full display in his seventy-minute episode, and he’s really more of a lead than a guest. I think his strong performance and sentiment from last year should propel him to a win.

Martin Short as Dick Lundy, The Morning Show (Chaos is the New Cocaine)
The last time Short was nominated for an acting Emmy, in 2010 for “Damages,” I wanted him to win. He has two Emmys, one for producing AFI’s “A Tribute to Mel Brooks” in 2014 and as part of the writing staff for “SCTV Network 90” in 1983. Short was memorable as a friend of Steve Carell’s disgraced anchor who provided an interesting mirror in which he could examine his actions. I was happy that Short was included in this list, and there’s a distinct possibility he could win if voters can truly appreciate the impressive performance from the notable comedian.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Cromwell or Short
Who will win: I think Scott can win.

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 2/6

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting, though I suppose it makes some sense. Though their shows were absent elsewhere, Andrew Scott (Black Mirror) and Jason Bateman (The Outsider) got in, along with Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian), representing his show’s only major nomination outside of Best Drama Series. Only past winner Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) scored for his show, and an expected nominee last year, James Cromwell (Succession), made the cut this time. Rounding out the list is Martin Short (The Morning Show), a terrific choice who I actually suspected might crack the lineup.

Who should win? I haven’t seen Scott and Esposito in their shows, so more commentary after that. For now, I’d choose Cromwell or Short.
Who will win? I think Cephas Jones wins again.

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the ninth category of the 13th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2018-2019 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Cameron Britton, Ethan Embry, Desmond Harrington, Wentworth Miller, Pepe Rapazote

Emmy nominees: Michael Angarano, Ron Cephas Jones, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael McKean, Glynn Turman, Bradley Whitford

Finalists: None

The nominees:

Kumail Nanjiani (The Twilight Zone)
Samuel Roukin (Counterpart)
Jeremy Allen White (Homecoming)
Damson Idris (The Twilight Zone)

The winner:

Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale) delivered a sardonic turn as a sane man living in a man world who most closely resemble an incredulous audience.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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.

Michael Angarano as Nick Pearson, This Is Us (Songbird Road: Part One)
This is the first nomination for Angarano, who portrays the younger brother of his show’s patriarch, Jack. This category has been won by other members of his cast the past two years, but both have been older actors. In his submitted episode, the reason for Nicky’s anguish is revealed, and those who have watched more of the show may have stronger reasons to vote for him than those who only watch this episode. It’s a good performance, but hardly in the same league as the rest of these nominees.

Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill, This Is Us (A Philadelphia Story)
Jones is the defending champion in this category, winning last year after a nomination in the supporting category for season one of the show. His victory was based on an episode that didn’t include all that much content, so obviously sentiment for the character helped him considerably. That may be true again, but no one has ever won multiple awards in this category for the same role. His presence in this year’s hour symbolized a connection for his son to his past, an effective one that could encourage voters to reward one of the more endearing elements of his show.

Michael McKean as Chuck McGill, Better Call Saul (Winner)
This is the clearest of a makeup nomination, like the one Elizabeth Mitchell got for “Lost” and then Jimmi Simpson got last year for “Westworld,” after a strong series regular performance is only honored for the guest gig that follows. This is McKean’s first Emmy nomination, and reappearing in a flashback as the main character’s brother doesn’t do justice to his tremendous turn in the third season that should have earned him a bid. That doesn’t mean he won’t win, since that would be a worthwhile way to reward a show that has yet to win a single award despite 22 previous nominations.

Kumail Nanjiani as Samir Wassan, The Twilight Zone (The Comedian)
This is Nanjiani’s first Emmy nomination after starring for five years on past Best Comedy Series nominee “Silicon Valley.” He’s now the only representative from the newest version of the classic mystery thriller anthology series. In its first episode, he plays a comedian who realizes that his jokes have a greater power than he could imagine. I think it’s a formidable, fantastic turn that so tremendously matches the tone of his show, and he did manage to get nominated, but I think a win, however deserving, would be surprising in the company of other actors on more respected and beloved series.

Glynn Turman as Nate Lahey, Sr., How to Get Away with Murder (It Was the Worst Day of My Life)
Turman is a past winner in this category, taking home a trophy for playing Blair Underwood’s father in “In Treatment” in 2008. This turn, his second career nomination, doesn’t really compare to that powerful performance, but Turman is still very good as a criminal seeking exoneration in his submitted episode. Star Viola Davis won an Emmy for the first season of her show, so maybe Turman could too, but his work isn’t likely to stand out among this crowd.

Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence, The Handmaid’s Tale (Postpartum)
Whitford is an Emmy favorite, having won a supporting trophy for his work on “The West Wing” with two additional nominations and a comedy guest acting prize for “Transparent” out of two bids. Now, he is nominated for his appearance in one of the last three “hanging” episodes of season two of his show. His turn as a high-ranking but unusual commander in a totalitarian state is immensely watchable, and given his Emmy track record and his continued performance in season three, I think he has a great shot to win.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Nanjiani or Whitford
Who will win: I think Whitford takes it.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 4/6, missing Angarano and Turman

I did pretty well here, though I picked the wrong version of a “This Is Us” character in Griffin Dunne when Nicky’s younger portrayer Michael Angarno (This Is Us) got nominated instead alongside last year’s winner Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us). I’m all for the makeup nomination received by Michael McKean (Better Call Saul). I’m also happy about Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale), and I couldn’t be more ecstatic that Kumail Nanjiani (The Twilight Zone) made the cut, apparently the only recognition for the new anthology reboot. Knowing that he was on the ballot, I should have expected that past winner Glynn Turman (How to Get Away with Murder) would be nominated, and I’ll have to check out his performance on a show I don’t usually like.

Who should win? I need to watch Turman’s work, but otherwise I’d probably vote for Nanjiani with Whitford and McKean as close runners-up.
Who will win? I think Whitford wins unless Turman does.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 16th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: F. Murray Abraham, Cameron Britton, Matthew Goode, Ron Cephas Jones, Gerald McRaney, Jimmi Simpson

The competition: Most of last year’s nominees didn’t even have their shows air this past season. Only “This Is Us” is back, and the winner from two years ago, Gerald McRaney, didn’t return to the show. Last year’s winner Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) is eligible again and likely to repeat, and he might be joined by Griffin Dunne (This Is Us) and previous nominee Denis O’Hare (This Is Us). He surely came close to a nomination when he was eligible in the supporting race, and Michael McKean (Better Call Saul) should be able to secure makeup recognition now that he’s in this category. Two past winners for “The West Wing” who have additional wins for other roles, Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Alan Alda (The Good Fight), may both show up here, as could other previously-nominated actors like Christopher Meloni (Pose), Tituss Burgess (The Good Fight), and James Cromwell (Succession). I’m not sure how well the anthology series will go over with voters, but comic actors Kumail Nanjiani (The Twilight Zone), Adam Scott (The Twilight Zone), or Chris O’Dowd (The Twilight Zone) could score here. I’m rooting for an underappreciated member of the “Shameless” cast who stood out in an unforgettable role on a new show this year: Jeremy Allen White (Homecoming).

The predicted nominees: Cromwell, Dunne, Jones, McKean, Nanjiani, Whitford

The predicted winner: I think this goes to Whitford.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the ninth category of the 12th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2017-2018 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: James Callis, Brett Dalton, Hamish Linklater, Sean Maguire, Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Emmy nominees: F. Murray Abraham, Cameron Britton, Ron Cephas Jones, Matthew Goode, Gerald McRaney, Jimmi Simpson

Finalists: Peter Mullan (Westworld)

The nominees:
Cameron Britton (Mindhunter)
Ethan Embry (Sneaky Pete)
Wentworth Miller (The Flash)
Desmond Harrington (Sneaky Pete)

The winner:

Pepe Rapazote (Narcos) made an immediate impression by commanding one scene so incredibly, almost ripping it away from everyone else in it, and every subsequent appearance showed the same controlling energy.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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 (All In)
Abraham was nominated for this same role back in 2015. He appears in just one scene of his submitted episode, angrily expressing his frustration with his current position as a potential return to favor was offered to him. It’s a very brief appearance, and whereas I said that he could win three years ago because his show was coming back into favor with Emmy voters, it’s barely on the nominations list this year. Count him out.

Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper, Mindhunter (Episode 2)
Here we have a highly unusual inclusion: an unknown actor without many credits to his name earning his first-ever awards bid for a freshman series that probably almost got in for Best Drama Series but ended up placing nowhere else in any category. Britton was eerily excellent as the world’s politest serial killer, eager to share his exploits with anyone who would listen. I do know that John Lithgow won this award for playing a serial killer almost a decade ago, and I’m pretty sure both Michael Emerson and Charles S. Dutton won did the same. Those shows were up for Best Drama Series and a handful of other awards, so this would be a first, but based on the quality of the performance, I doubt anyone would be truly shocked.

Matthew Goode as Antony Armstrong-Jones, The Crown (Matrimonium)
This is the first Emmy nomination for Goode, who appeared on both “The Good Wife” and “Downton Abbey” previously. He’s far less likeable here than he’s been in other projects, but the performance is still very good as his already slimy suitor turns out to be less honest than even viewers knew. It’s a subtler performance that I couldn’t see winning unless the show really did explode in popularity, which I don’t think it will this year.

Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill, This Is Us (A Father’s Advice)
Jones was nominated last year in the supporting category back when he was a series regular. His submitted episode is the season two premiere, though I couldn’t find any mention of his appearance in my review. Reading a letter to his son and showing up in a flashback with Beth aren’t all that substantive, and if he couldn’t win last year for a knockout episode, I don’t think he’ll score this time either.

Gerald McRaney as Dr. Nathan Katowski, This Is Us (The Car)
McRaney won this award last year, and he’s the only immediate returning nominee. The sentimental doctor showed up again right after Jack’s death to comfort Rebecca and tell her about the relationship that they had, which should pull the heartstrings in exactly the way that fans of his show have come to expect. He’ll probably triumph again unless another endearing nominee from his show above eclipses him.

Jimmi Simpson as William, Westworld (Reunion)
I’m very happy to see Simpson, who I first found compelling in “Virtuality,” a show that never got picked up beyond its pilot, finally earning accolades. This is a classic case, in my mind, of an actor being recognized for previous work, as Elizabeth Mitchell was years ago with a big for “Lost” in its final season. Simpson was terrific in season one and continues to be great, but I don’t know that his performance in a strong look at how this world got created will stand out nearly as much.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Britton
Who will win: It may well be McRaney again, but I’m going to hedge my bets on Britton taking home the award on the merits of his performance alone.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 4/6, picking Michael C. Hall and Peter Mullan over Abraham and Britton

My inkling that “The Good Fight” wouldn’t factor into the main Emmy races was correct, and the result is a very interesting list here. Last year’s winner in this category Gerald McRaney (This Is Us) and last year’s supporting nominee Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) are the sentimental favorites. F. Murray Abraham (Homeland) is a strong actor on an ailing show whose episode I didn’t see. Matthew Goode (The Crown) was a memorable presence in a recurring role in his show, and I’m thrilled that Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), who should have earned a supporting nomination last year, finally landed some awards attention. His show didn’t manage a single other nomination, but Cameron Britton (Mindhunter) clearly made an impression as a serial killer who really liked to talk.

Who should win? Without having seen Abraham’s episode, I’d probably pick Britton. Who will win? It could be McRaney again, but I think Britton takes it.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, July 12th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Hank Azaria, Brian Tyree Henry, Gerald McRaney, Ben Mendelsohn, Denis O’Hare, BD Wong

The competition: Count on last year’s winner, Gerald McRaney (This Is Us), to return, especially since he’s the only one of these six men in contention in this category again. He’ll likely be joined by previous supporting actor nominee Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us), eligible now in this category. One past nominee for the same role, F. Murray Abraham (Homeland), is back in the running, while Emmy favorites including Beau Bridges (Homeland), Nathan Lane (The Blacklist), Michael J. Fox (Designated Survivor), Alan Alda (The Good Fight), and Michael C. Hall (The Crown) could garner votes even if their show’s don’t usually host nominees. Sylvester Stallone (This Is Us) and Matthew Goode (The Crown) could contend as well, and the least-known votes-getter is sure to be Cameron Britton (Mindhunter), who has a better shot at ending up here if his show does well in other categories. HBO’s megahit, which didn’t even have anyone to submit in this race last year, has four legitimate contenders this time, with Peter Mullan (Westworld) and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) having an edge over Ben Barnes (Westworld) and Hiroyuki Sanada (Westworld).

The predicted nominees: Goode, Hall, Jones, McRaney, Mullan, Simpson

The predicted winner: I think that McRaney wins again.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

This is the ninth category of the 11th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2016-2017 season. Finalists and semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Josh Charles, John Carroll Lynch, Ian McShane, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jonathan Pryce

Emmy nominees: Hank Azaria, Gerald McRaney, Brian Tyree Henry, Ben Mendelsohn, Denis O’Hare, BD Wong

Semi-finalists: Brett Cullen (Narcos), Bruno Bichir (Narcos), Eric Lange (Narcos), Gregg Henry (Supergirl), Hank Azaria (Ray Donovan), Jeff Kober (Timeless), Lonnie Chavis (Supergirl), Michael Gaston (The Leftovers), Stacy Keach (Ray Donovan), Ted Levine (Ray Donovan)

Finalists: Sam Strike (Timeless) and Colman Domingo (Timeless) made two historical figures on opposite sides of the law - Clyde Barrow and Bass Reeves - memorable and endearing. Dylan Walsh (Longmire) struck a villainous chord as an enemy without any fear of the stoic sheriff. Rich Sommer (Masters of Sex) wore his discomfort with the public nature of his condition on his face, making one patient very relatable. Danny Strong (Billions) showed what it looks like to celebrate excessively and prematurely and then be completely crushed by defeat only seconds later.

The nominees:

Brett Dalton (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) made a welcome return as a far purer version of the man he once was, an eager hero without an ounce of evil in him. Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Sneaky Pete) was a formidable element of the law who wasn’t about to messed with, and a fierce match for the title character. Sean Maguire (Timeless) made Ian Fleming into a real-life James Bond. Hamish Linklater (Legion) was a mysterious figure throughout his appearances with an intense determination to understand the incomprehensible.

The winner:

James Callis (12 Monkeys) was born to play the man who may have witnessed it all but was also quite bored with the mundane and repetitive nature of time travel, something that only the charismatic Callis could convey.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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.

Hank Azaria as Ed Cochran, Ray Donovan (Norman Saves the World)
Azaria has actually won six Emmys out of twelve previous nominations, mostly for voice work on “The Simpsons” but most recently for this same performance last year when, like this year, he returned for a brief guest stint following his season two recurring role. Azaria knocked out a would-be repeat winner, Reg E. Cathey, last year, though he has history on his side with Charles S. Dutton, who won back-to-back trophies in this category for different shows in 2002 and 2003. Azaria’s guest spot was great, allowing him to pump up the exaggerated franticness of his character, and he’d be a fitting recipient of another award.

Brian Tyree Henry as Ricky, This Is Us (Memphis)
I firmly believe that first-time nominee Henry is here only because of enthusiasm for the show on which he actually stars, “Atlanta,” which managed a handful of nominations but not one for him. I don’t remember much of him in his submitted episode, which is already likely to win Emmys for stars Sterling K. Brown and Ron Cephas Jones. As a relative of Randall’s that he meets for the first time, Henry is a friendly face and a kindred spirit, but his performance pales in comparison both to his role on “Atlanta” and the other two men from his show nominated here.

Gerald McRaney as Dr. Nathan Katowski, This Is Us (The Big Day)
I’ve been a fan of McRaney’s since he starred in an important paternal role on “Jericho,” and seen him in the likes of “Longmire” and “House of Cards” since then. McRaney’s moderately grumpy doctor was a fan favorite from the pilot of this show, and it makes complete sense that he would submit the episode that allowed him an unexpected focus in flashback as he struggled to move past the death of his wife. If this category was predictable, which it rarely is, I think he’s easily got the best shot.

Ben Mendelsohn as Danny Rayburn, Bloodline (Chapter 32)
Mendelsohn took home the supporting actor trophy for this role last year though, regrettably, the Australian actor wasn’t present to accept it. Moved to the guest category, Mendelsohn is now the lone representative of his show, with costar Kyle Chandler missing out on a third consecutive nod for the show’s final season. Danny is a haunting, influential presence in his submitted episode, which finds Chandler’s John spiraling out of control and hallucinating. There’s no reason to think that Mendelsohn might not win again.

Denis O’Hare as Jessie, This Is Us (Last Christmas)
O’Hare, a terrific actor, has two previous Emmy nominations in the supporting miniseries/TV movie category, both for “American Horror Story.” I remember him best from his scenery-chewing role on “True Blood,” and here he tones down the aggression and the creepiness to play the boyfriend of William, Randall’s father, and he’s introduced in this episode. It’s a decent submission but he’s hardly the most prominent guest star on his own show or in this category.

BD Wong as Whiterose, Mr. Robot (eps2.3_logic-b0mb.hc)
It’s appalling to me that, not only did Rami Malek get snubbed after pulling off a win last year, but the entire series, which is one of the most fascinating things on television these days, is relegated to just one semi-major bid in Wong’s guest turn after he got left off last year. The longtime “Law and Order: SVU” cast member earns his first Emmy nomination for playing a powerful, mysterious influence with a dual identity. He could easily win since it’s a compelling performance, but I do wish that the show would earn more accolades for those actors I consider to be its best assets.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Azaria or McRaney
Who will win: Judging based on the episodes, I’d say McRaney would be ahead of the pack, but I’ve learned that such things are foolish since the guest categories are always hard to predict. Wong could win, but I’ll go with Mendelsohn.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

My predictions: 4/6, picking Beau Bridges and Mark Margolis over Wong and Henry

My expectation that two past nominees in this category would return didn’t pan out, though one expected nominee from last year, BD Wong (Mr. Robot), finally showed up this year. He’s hardly representative of all of the greatness on this show, but at least it’s something. Two Emmy winners last year, Hank Azaria (Ray Donovan) and Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline), are back, and either of them could easily win again this year. Gerald McRaney (This Is Us), an actor I’ve seen in a number of shows over the years, earns his first Emmy nomination for an extremely sentimental turn, joined by past nominee Denis O’Hare (This Is Us) and first-time nominee Brian Tyree Henry (This Is Us), who I think is here much more because of his starring role on “Atlanta” than his guest work on this clearly well-received show.

Who should win? I haven’t seen McRaney’s work this season. Otherwise, I’d choose Azaria.
Who will win? I think it will be McRaney, though it could be any of them.