Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Hope Davis as Sandi Furness, Succession (Retired Janitors of Idaho)
Davis was previously nominated for “In Treatment” and then again the following year for playing Hillary Clinton in “The Special Relationship.” When I spoke with her last year about her role in “Your Honor,” she mentioned that she was going to have a role on this show. Ultimately, it wasn’t much of a part, and while her line delivery is always great, I’m a bit surprised that she’s here since this is not one of her more memorable performances.

Marcia Gay Harden as Maggie Brener, The Morning Show (Testimony)
Harden was previously nominated for “The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler” and for guest-starring on “Law and Order: SVU.” She has a strong recurring role on this show, joining stars Reese Witherspoon and Billy Crudup to round out its three total nominations, playing a journalist and author who sticks by her right to get a good story, regardless of who gets hurt in the process. I don’t think it’s a part that will win her this prize, but it’s good to see her honored for consistent strong work.

Martha Kelly as Laurie, Euphoria (Stand Still Like the Hummingbird)
Kelly is a fantastic actress who also appeared in this season of “Hacks,” and I had the pleasure of meeting her briefly at the recent Hollywood Critics Association TV awards. She takes a very humorous demeanor and turns it into something both hilarious and terrifying as a drug dealer with a vested interest in the success – and reliability – of her employees. She gets solid screen time opposite Zendaya in her submitted episode, and a win for her very much could happen.

Sanaa Lathan as Lisa Arthur, Succession (What It Takes)
I’m a big fan of Lathan from her work on shows like “Boss” and “The Affair,” and while I’m thrilled that she’s now an Emmy nominee, there’s not all that much to remember from her role as a lawyer on a show full of big performances, enough to fill half this category. I’d love to see her be crowned an Emmy winner someday, but this part just isn’t enough to get her there.

Lee Yoo-mi as Ji-Yeong, Squid Game (Gganbu)
This is a wonderful choice and exciting inclusion, a foreign-language nominee from a show that broke Emmy records for an international series. And Yoo-mi is terrific, playing a rare purely nice person who accepts the nature of the game that she’s forced to play and has excellent scenes opposite Jung Ho-yeon. While it’s true that voters may not know her name, she stands out so much in this episode and other parts of the series, which I think will be enough to propel her to a win.

Harriet Walter as Caroline Collingwood, Succession (Chiantishire)
Walter was nominated for this role two years ago, and now she’s back with a comedy guest acting bid for the second most-popular show with Emmy voters, “Ted Lasso, to go along with this one. Walter makes a very distinct impression in season three in the penultimate episode, and those who have been watching will also remember her part in the finale. If Yoo-mi doesn’t win here, I think Walter has a very good shot to represent her show for a fierce and unforgiving turn.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Yoo-mi or Kelly
Who will win: I’m going with Yoo-mi.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

My predictions: 3/6

Enthusiasm for the nominations leader extended to this category, with returning nominee Harriet Walter (Succession) joined by Sanaa Lathan (Succession) and Hope Davis (Succession). One new series managed a bid in the form of Lee You-mi (Squid Game), whose work I have yet to really see. Marcia Gay Harden (The Morning Show) is a bit of a surprise for a show that otherwise didn’t perform all that well, and Martha Kelly (Euphoria) is a spectacular inclusion I wasn’t sure was going to happen.

Who should win? From what I’ve seen, Kelly.
Who will win? I think this will probably go to You-mi but could go to Kelly too.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress 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: Alexis Bledel, Claire Foy, McKenna Grace, Sophie Okonedo, Phylicia Rashad

The competition: This category seems to be relatively empty to me. It’s possible that one HBO juggernaut will dominate this race, with past nominee Harriet Walter (Succession), Hope Davis (Succession), and Sanaa Lathan (Succession) all in contention. Recurring players Jennifer Morrison (This Is Us) and Alexandra Breckenridge (This Is Us) are possible, as is Jordana Spiro (Ozark). Martha Plimpton (The Man Who Fell to Earth), Lee Yoo-mi (Squid Game), Jacki Weaver (Yellowstone) may show up, as could Marcia Gay Harden (The Morning Show) or Rosario Dawson (The Book of Boba Fett). I sincerely hope there will be room for the spectacular Martha Kelly (Euphoria).

The predicted nominees: Breckenridge, Davis, Kelly, Morrison, Spiro, Walter

The predicted winner: I think Walter might win.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Alexis Bledel as Emily Malek, The Handmaid’s Tale (Testimony)
Bledel is one of two performers on her show to have been nominated for all four seasons, the other being Samira Wiley. She won this prize for season one of her show then competed as a supporting actress for season two before returning to this race in season four. She does have a more substantial role in season four, and her submitted episode shows her confronting demons of her past in a very different and less public way than the series’ protagonist. It would be easy enough for Bledel to win again, especially considering how spectacularly her show performed this year.

Claire Foy as Princess Elizabeth, The Crown (48:1)
Foy was nominated for the first two seasons of her show, winning for the second. She makes a surprise return appearance in season four in a flashback to Elizabeth’s twenty-first birthday. It’s a brief turn but a memorable one, especially because it highlights how much Foy and Olivia Colman deliver similar performances. At the height of her show’s popularity, I could definitely see Foy winning as part of that.

McKenna Grace as Esther Keyes, The Handmaid’s Tale (Pigs)
This is Grace’s first nomination, and it’s remarkable to see what she’s capable of at such a young age. She just turned fifteen earlier this year, and the material she’s working with is so horribly disturbing and mature, yet she turns in an incredibly forceful and unforgettable look at someone whose innocence has been irreversibly corrupted, turning her into a resilient and determined fighter. The season premiere more than demonstrates her extraordinary work. I think Grace wins this, and I can’t wait to see what she does with the rest of her career.

Sophie Okonedo as Charlotte Wells, Ratched (The Dance)
I’m so happy to see Okonedo here because I like her and I really liked her show, and I also got to “interview her” for AwardsWatch. She’s enormously talented, and it’s hard to believe this is her first Emmy nomination. She is front and center in her submitted episode, which finds her portraying many personalities. It’s the most challenging of all the roles represented in this category, and she approaches it with skill and poise. My only concern is that Emmy voters don’t seem to be fond of the show, which poses a definite problem considering she’s up against actresses whose series are all up for Best Drama Series.

Phylicia Rashad as Carol Clarke, This Is Us (I’ve Got This)
This is Rashad’s fifth career Emmy nomination and her third consecutive bid for this role. She was previous nominated for “A Raisin in the Sun” and “The Cosby Show.” The part she plays is even more relatable than ever before, as a grandmother who ends up staying with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren for much longer than anyone would like during the pandemic. Rashad is always great, but I think her real-life support for her former costar Bill Cosby’s release from prison will prevent her from being celebrated with an honor like this.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Grace or Okonedo
Who will win: I give the edge to Grace over Okonedo due to the Emmy hauls for their respective shows.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

My predictions: 3/5

It’s a shame that Rosario Dawson and Katee Sackhoff couldn’t get in despite appearing on the most-nominated show of the year. Instead, past winner Claire Foy (The Crown) showed up, along with two returning nominees in this category, Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us). I’m so happy that McKenna Grace (The Handmaid’s Tale) made the cut for a performance I worried would be ignored, and I’m also pleased that Sophie Okonedo (Ratched) is here for one hell of a memorable turn.

Who should win? Grace
Who will win? I’m not sure. I think maybe Okonedo.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress 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: Alexis Bledel, Laverne Cox, Cherry Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson, Harriet Walter

The competition: Two of last year’s nominees are eligible again this year, both vying for their third nominations in this category, Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us). Bledel faces internal competition from two actresses who had meatier roles this season: McKenna Grace (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale). Past Emmy winner Claire Foy (The Crown) may contend again for reprising her role in a flashback, while two other Emmy favorites, Laverne Cox (The Blacklist) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), may show up for new roles. Though she died in September, Diana Rigg (All Creatures Great and Small) may be back posthumously for a guest spot following four nominations in this race for “Game of Thrones.” I’d hope that voters would be paying close enough attention to one of their favorite high-profile programs to reward the fantastic talent that is Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian), Katee Sackhoff (The Mandalorian), and Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian), and that they’re watching an underappreciated series with a handful of excellent contenders: Noma Dumezweni (Pose), Jackée Harry (Pose), Anna Maria Horsford (Pose), and Angelica Ross (Pose). Though they’ve both never been nominated for Emmys before, it’s very possible that Gretchen Mol (Perry Mason) and Sophie Okonedo (Ratched) finally get recognized this time around.

The predicted nominees: Bledel, Brugel, Dawson, Grace, Rashad

The predicted winner: I think Dawson could win if she gets nominated.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the fourteenth 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 Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Nina Arianda, Alexa Davalas, Jessica Lange, Sanaaa Lathan, Phylicia Rashad

Emmy nominees: Alexis Bledel, Laverne Cox, Cherry Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson, Harriet Walter

Finalists: Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid's Tale), Sophia Bush (This Is Us), Pamela Adlon (This Is Us)

The nominees:

Rachel Hilson (This Is Us)
Kerry Condon (Ray Donovan)
Cherry Jones (Succession)
Jennifer Morrison (This Is Us)

The winner:

Annabelle Dexter-Jones (Succession) managed to assert Naomi’s right to exist and to interact with snobby elites, determined to remain her own person while choosing to fulfill certain expectations to keep her family at bay.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Alexis Bledel as Emily Malek, The Handmaid’s Tale (God Bless the Child)
Bledel is one of several performers this year to jump back to her original category. She won this prize for season one of her show then competed as a supporting actress for season two. Now, she’s back here for an episode that once again demonstrates the deftness with which she approaches the deeply traumatic events Emily must endure. Her show no longer has the buzz it once had, but she’s just as terrific as ever.

Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset, Orange is the New Black (God Bless America)
This is the fourth nomination for Cox, who was previously nominated for this role last year, in 2017, and in the comedy guest actress race for the same show and role in 2014. I suggested that her chances were minimal last year given that her show isn’t in contention for anything else, and the minimal and near-cameo nature of her brief return to the show definitely doesn’t merit her inclusion this year. That said, it’s her last chance to win for this part, which has been significant and trailblazing, and last year’s winner had even less screentime, so don’t count her out completely.

Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce, Succession (Tern Haven)
Jones won this award last year for barely appearing in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” her second consecutive nomination for that part, and she also won in 2009 for her supporting role on “24.” This time, she’s here for a more substantial recurring arc as the head of a rival company considering major business dealings with the Roy family. It’s a solid performance that holds up well opposite the rest of the cast. Only one performer – Margo Martindale – has won this award two years in a row, and Charles S. Dutton did it for two separate shows in guest actor. I think Jones is more than capable of pulling off the same feat.

Phylicia Rashad as Carol Clarke, This Is Us (Flip a Coin)
This is Rashad’s fourth career Emmy nomination after a nomination for this role last year and previous bids for “A Raisin in the Sun” and “The Cosby Show.” Even though there were a few serious contenders like Pamela Adlon and Jennifer Morrison who could have joined her, Rashad remains the only female guest performer from her show nominated. Her submission this year is terrific, showing how she interacts with her daughter and son-in-law both when she first meets Sterling K. Brown’s Randall when he is in college and when her daughter opens a dance studio in the present. If voters actually watch her work, she could win, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Hartness, How to Get Away with Murder (Stay)
This is the fifth overall and fourth consecutive nomination for ninety-five-year-old actress Tyson for this role, and she has eleven additional nominations prior to that, dating back to 1974 and including three wins, most recently in 1994. Her submission is the series finale of her show, which isn’t nearly the showcase that she provided last year in an episode that focused much more on her. A win this year would be a tribute to the fact that she’s still acting at her age, which could very well happen.

Harriet Walter as Caroline Collingwood, Succession (Return)
This is Walter’s first Emmy nomination. She plays the ex-wife of Brian Cox’s Logan Roy and mother to three of his adult children, able to exert a different kind of manipulative power over them even though she rarely sees them. She’s good but doesn’t quite compare to the other actors in her scenes, and she’ll likely get a boost from her more significant and worthwhile role on another Best Drama Series nominee, “Killing Eve),” and the limited series “Belgravia.”

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Jones or Bledel
Who will win: I think Jones repeats.

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

My predictions: 4/6, missing Cox and Walter

Four of these women were nominated last year, and a fifth won this award three years ago. The new addition is Harriet Walter (Succession), whose role may not have been substantial but who did have a banner year with additional parts on “Killing Eve” and “Belgravia.” Cherry Jones (Succession) is here for a different show after winning for “The Handmaid’s Tale” last year, and Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us) returns with a consecutive bid. After a nomination for her show’s second season in the supporting race, Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale) is back here for an affecting performance in its third. This marks the fourth bid for Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black), whose show I have to finish since I didn’t get past the premiere episode of the final season because I was overloaded when it debuted, and the fifth for Cicely Tyson (How to Get Away with Murder), still going strong at ninety-five years old. I’ll note for anyone who didn’t watch the nominations announcement this morning that Cox finding out about her bid was the most awkward part since she had to feign surprise when presenter Leslie Jones told her that she got nominated but not for which role (she was also on the ballot for three comedies, including “Curb Your Enthusiasm”).

Who should win? I haven’t watched Tyson or Cox’s episodes. At this point, I’d pick Bledel or Jones.
Who will win? I think Tyson finally wins.

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the tenth 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 Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Jodi Balfour, Kerry Bishé, Lily Rabe, Katee Sackhoff, Lois Smith

Emmy nominees: Laverne Cox, Cherry Jones, Jessica Lange, Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson, Carice van Houten

Finalists: None

The nominees:

Nina Arianda (Billions)
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Apocalypse)
Alexa Davalos (The Punisher)
Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us)

The winner:

Sanaa Lathan (The Twilight Zone) turned in a formidable performance centered on a defiant insistence on survival despite incredible odds.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset, Orange is the New Black (Well This Took a Dark Turn)
This is the third nomination for Cox, who was previously nominated in this category in 2017 and in the comedy guest actress race for the same show and role in 2014. Sophia hasn’t been a big part of the show in a while, hence her classification here, and her return in an impactful episode that finds her making a tough choice is a positive showcase of her talents. A win in this category with zero other bids for the show has plenty of precedent, but it’s worth noting that both of costar Uzo Aduba’s victories came in years when her show was contending for the top prize.

Cherry Jones as Holly Maddox, The Handmaid’s Tale (Holly)
Jones was nominated last year for this role, and this is technically her second nomination for the second season of her show, which is a real feat. Her previous nomination, for “24” in 2009, resulted in a win. Jones made an impression as the main character’s mother in flashbacks, but she’s far from the most memorable part of her episode, which finds a new life named in her honor. A win wouldn’t be a shock, but this isn’t the best indication of her work and wouldn’t be an instance of voters actually paying attention the material in the episode submitted.

Jessica Lange as Constance Langdon, American Horror Story (Return to Murder House)
Lange was previously nominated and won for this role for season one of “American Horror Story,” earning another win for season three and additional bids for seasons two and four. Aside from that, she was nominated four times and won in 2009 for “Grey Gardens.” In her submitted episode this year, she returns to the show to reprise her original role, making an incredible impression when she first appears and then continues to dominate the entire hour. It’s a crowded category but Lange stands out, and not having anyone else from her show nominated may not actually be a demerit considering her historical awards reputation.

Phylicia Rashad as Carol Clarke, This Is Us (Our Little Island Girl)
This is Rashad’s third career Emmy nomination after previous bids for “A Raisin in the Sun” and “The Cosby Show.” She is the first female guest acting nominee for her show, portraying Beth’s mother. Her submitted episode shows a mother with a strong influence on her daughter, who herself is a resilient woman crucial to the show’s storyline. I, and many others, wish that Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays Beth, was nominated, and a victory for Rashad would be one symbolic way to reward her. Rashad is indeed impressive in her own right, and the fact that she hasn’t won an Emmy may surprise voters.

Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Hartness, How to Get Away with Murder (Where Are Your Parents?)
This is the fourth overall and third consecutive nomination for ninety-four-year-old actress Tyson for this role, and she has eleven additional nominations prior to that, dating back to 1974 and including three wins, most recently in 1994. I actually think this may be the strongest submission yet for Tyson, who is truly present in her scenes and makes her aging and ailing mother to star Viola Davis’ character very memorable and important. Absent a clear frontrunner, Tyson could prevail, but that hasn’t helped other similarly respected older actresses in past years.

Carice van Houten as Melisandre, Game of Thrones (The Long Night)
This is the first nomination for van Houten. Diana Rigg was nominated previously for HBO’s hugely popular show in this race, and now van Houten has the chance to win for her memorable turn as a powerful sorceress in one of the more impactful and memorable episodes of its final season. If voters want to reward the show as a whole, she would be a great way to do it, and she could also benefit from the show sweeping all its categories. Being a less-known quantity won’t help her, but anyone who watches her episode won’t soon forget her and her role in it.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Lange or Tyson
Who will win: It’s possible it might be Jones or Lange, but I’m betting on Rashad.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

My predictions: 5/6, missing Cox

This was a good category for me, and I missed one returning nominee for another expected returning nominee. Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) did actually play a small part this past season, and so it’s decent that she’s nominated, joining repeat nominees Cherry Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Cicely Tyson (How to Get Away with Murder), and Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Apocalypse), earning her show its only major nomination following its transition to the drama series races. Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us) becomes the first woman to earn a guest bid for her show, and Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones) scored an expected nomination for a memorable and popular turn.

Who should win? I haven’t seen Tyson or Lange’s work this season, but otherwise I’d probably pick Cox or Rashad.
Who will win? I think Jones wins.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy 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: Tina Fey, Tiffany Haddish, Jane Lynch, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Wanda Sykes

The competition: More than half of last year’s slate is eligible again, and it’s a good bet they’ll all be back. Wanda Sykes (Black-ish) got nominated last year even with pretty much no material, and so she’ll likely be a default nominee, while Jane Lynch (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) had another decently strong showcase on one of the most popular comedies of the season. Maya Rudolph (The Good Place) will probably return, while Molly Shannon (Will and Grace) likely will too, though she’ll face competition from the likes of Blythe Danner (Will and Grace), Minnie Driver (Will and Grace), and Andrea Martin (Will and Grace). For most of the last decade, one to three nominees have come from TV’s most popular variety sketch series, and there are a few possibilities this year, including Sandra Oh (Saturday Night Live), Emma Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Rachel Brosnahan (Saturday Night Live), and Awkwafina (Saturday Night Live). Past nominee Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory) could well earn her fifth nomination for the role for her show’s final season, and she could be joined by a popular Emmy winner, Regina King (The Big Bang Theory). Other contenders could include Ann-Margret (The Kominsky Method), Courteney Cox (Shameless), Fiona Shaw (Fleabag), Kristin Scott Thomas (Fleabag), and Sally Phillips (Veep).

The predicted nominees: Baranski, Lynch, Oh, Phillips, Rudolph, Sykes

The predicted winner: I’m betting on Oh.

Next up: Best Directing for a Drama Series

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress 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: Viola Davis, Kelly Jenrette, Cherry Jones, Diana Rigg, Cicely Tyson, Samira Wiley

The competition: Two of last year’s nominees are eligible again. This would mark the fourth overall and third consecutive bid for Cicely Tyson (How to Get Away with Murder), while Cherry Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale) should be able to secure her second nomination for the second season of her show due to its “hanging episodes” that aired at the very beginning of the eligibility period. Both Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Apocalypse) and Connie Britton (American Horror Story: Apocalypse) were nominated for their anthology series back when each iteration was considered a limited series, and they may well contend for playing the same roles again. Though it has yet to permeate this category, “This Is Us” has racked up five bids in the guest actor race, and three-time Emmy nominee Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us) feels like just the actress to inaugurate the show here. Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones) is the showiest guest from the year’s most talked-about show, and it’s likely she’ll find a place here. I’m still uncertain how the anthology series will play with voters, but it would be great to see either Sanaa Lathan (The Twilight Zone) or a nominee from last year, Zazie Beetz (The Twilight Zone), earn deserved accolades. There are many others who might show up here, though I really don’t know who has the best shot of the rest of the contenders.

The predicted nominees: Britton, Jones, Lange, Rashad, Tyson, van Houten

The predicted winner: I think this goes to Jones in a big victory for a show that didn’t even air a full slate of episodes this season.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the tenth 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 Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd, Jennifer Esposito, Caitlin FitzGerald, Catalina Sandino Moreno

Emmy nominees: Viola Davis, Kelly Jenrette, Cherry Jones, Diana Rigg, Cicely Tyson, Samira Wiley

Finalists: None

The nominees:
Jodi Balfour (The Crown)
Lily Rabe (Legion)
Katee Sackhoff (The Flash)
Lois Smith (Sneaky Pete)

The winner:

Kerry Bishé (Narcos) played someone far more innocent than most in this show’s world, enchanted just enough until the reality of her situation truly set in.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, Scandal (Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself)
Davis managed a clever trick this year, missing out on a fourth consecutive nomination for “How to Get Away with Murder” but managing to get cited for playing the same character on a crossover episode of another show. I’d say that’s a positive thing since this show is a bit more tolerable. It’s a very competitive category, but it’s possible the recent Oscar winner, who took home the Emmy for the first year of her show in 2015, could triumph for an episode in which she barrels her way straight to the Supreme Court. I wouldn’t count on it though.

Kelly Jenrette as Annie, The Handmaid’s Tale (Other Women)
Jenrette was a surprise nominee since most expected Oscar winner Marisa Tomei to get her slot. The young actress was apparently memorable to voters for her portrayal of Luke’s ex-wife in a time where marriage still meant something and June was the one disrespecting it. She is good but I don’t think that she can take the four powerhouse veterans and one other returning nominee in this category.

Cherry Jones as Holly Maddox, The Handmaid’s Tale (Baggage)
Jones was nominated for an Emmy once before, in 2009 for “24,” and she won then. The respected Tony winner played a role well-suited for her as June’s mother in flashbacks, the kind of person who would never have gone quietly when a totalitarian regime took over. Her character makes sense in context with who June became, and though she’s not as terrific as the regular cast members, she’s a well-regarded performer who is sure to earn plenty of votes.

Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell, Game of Thrones (The Queen’s Justice)
This is Rigg’s fourth nomination for this role and her ninth overall. She won an Emmy back in 1997 for the TV movie “Rebecca.” Olenna has always been a character more than capable of controlling events around her, and she gets to do just that as she confronts an impassable obstacle. Rigg, an established actress with a long history of great performances, would be a respectable choice for any voter, but I’m not sure her chances are all that better now than they ever were, and she hasn’t won yet.

Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Hartness, How to Get Away with Murder (I’m Going Away)
This is the third nomination for ninety-three-year-old actress Tyson for this role, and she has eleven additional nominations prior to that, dating back to 1974 and including three wins, most recently in 1994. Playing the mother of the main character whose mental state is deteriorating, Tyson gives a lived-in performance as someone who knows more than she lets on and is surprisingly ready to face what comes. If she hasn’t won yet, I’m not sure why this would be the year, but as she gets older and continues working, I can only imagine people respect her more.

Samira Wiley as Moira, The Handmaid’s Tale (After)
Wiley was nominated in the supporting actress category for this show last year even though I and others thought she should have been cited for “Orange is the New Black.” Now, she’s back in a limited role as the person who made it out, seeing the horrors of what became of our country and now relegated to not be able to do much on the outside in Canada. The way she deals with getting precious little information from back home in her submitted episode makes a good case for her talent, but I’m not sure she can take down the more well-known actresses in this category.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Rigg
Who will win: It’s a battle of the juggernauts, and I’m not sure who to endorse. I guess Rigg is likelier than Jones or Tyson, her closest competitors.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

My predictions: 4/6, picking Jodi Balfour and Marisa Tomei over Davis and Jenrette

Viola Davis (Scandal) pulled off an impressive feat – she got dropped from the best actress field for “How to Get Away with Murder” after three consecutive bids, but managed to score a nomination here for playing the same role on another show, joining her onscreen mother, returning nominee Cicely Tyson (How to Get Away with Murder). Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) is also back for a memorable, tour de force performance on her show. I remembered her from her role on “Grandfathered” but less so for her appearance as a jilted ex in an intense flashback, and it’s not a small thing that Kelly Jenrette (The Handmaid’s Tale) knocked out expected nominee Marisa Tomei to join Cherry Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale) and last year’s supporting nominee Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale) to dominate this category with portrayals of strong women cast into unfortunate circumstances in a dystopian future.

Who should win? I haven’t seen Davis’ or Tyson’s work this year, but I’d probably choose Rigg.
Who will win? Conventional wisdom says Rigg finally wins, but one of the handmaid’s representatives easily could too.

Emmy Predictions: Best Guest Actress 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: Alexis Bledel, Laverne Cox, Margo Martindale, Shannon Purser, Cicely Tyson, Alison Wright

The competition: Last year’s winner, Bledel, has been promoted to the supporting category, and in her absence, three contenders from her show are likely to get nominated: last year’s supporting nominee Samara Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale) and one-shot guest stars Marisa Tomei (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Cherry Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale). Last year’s nominees Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) and Cicely Tyson (How to Get Away with Murder) are on the ballot again, as is three-time nominee Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones). Past nominees Viola Davis (Scandal) and Kerry Washington (How to Get Away with Murder) could take advantage of series crossovers to score new nominations here, and Margo Martindale (The Good Fight), Elizabeth Perkins (This Is Us), and Carrie Preston (The Good Fight) could all benefit from showcases in new roles after earlier career nominations. Pam Grier (This Is Us), Jodi Balfour (The Crown), and Rinko Kikuchi (Westworld) could also siphon votes for memorable guest spots.

The predicted nominees: Balfour, Jones, Rigg, Tomey, Tyson, Wiley

The predicted winner: Everyone seems to think it will be Rigg.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

AFT Awards: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

This is the tenth 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 Actress in a Drama Series

Last year’s nominees: Lauren Ambrose, Kerry Bishe, Judy Greer, Merritt Wever, Alicia Witt

Emmy nominees: Alexis Bledel, Laverne Cox, Ann Dowd, Shannon Purser, Cicely Tyson, Alison Wright

Semi-finalists: Lisa Bonet (Ray Donovan), Sarah Baker (Goliath)

Finalists: Judy Greer (Masters of Sex) left an impression as a previously scorned wife who found just the right way to gloat about the ultimate state of her marriage. Jacqueline Byers (Timeless) infused Bonnie Parker with a sense of authenticity and youthful passion. Christina Brucato (Legends of Tomorrow) made a great case for existence, not to blame for the circumstances of her creation. Anne Dudek (The Flash) was a wonderful fit for her show’s universe, a woman of such consequence without any notion that she would ever be recognized. Calista Flockhart (Supergirl) made a magnificent return to her show that was better than her entire first season gig, swooping in to save the day at exactly the right moment.

The nominees:

Jennifer Esposito (The Affair) wasn’t seen nearly enough, but in every one of her scenes she was loyal, passionate, and relentless. Caitlin FitzGerald (Rectify) felt like she was created just for Daniel, ready to see the world through an entirely different lens without the traditional confines of society keeping her down. Catalina Sandino Moreno (The Affair) moved into a new role and wasn’t about to give it up when it looked like her dominance might be threatened. Ann Dowd (The Leftovers) was back for one final time playing a different character, seamlessly moving with the tone and pace of her memorable episode.

The winner:

Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid's Tale) wasn’t the title character of her show, but her rebellious spirit was emblematic of any semblance of resistance in her dark world, shown both in unbridled joy and in utter devastation.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

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

Alexis Bledel as Ofglen, The Handmaid’s Tale (Late)
This is the first nomination for the former “Gilmore Girls” star, and what a performance this was. Ofglen was already a memorable part of the first two episodes, and to see her brought to trial for being a lesbian and forced to witness the fate endured by her partner was horrific. Bledel is so good in this episode, emoting with her eyes and finally letting out her rage when she’s able to speak. She should win this, hands down.

Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset, Orange is the New Black (Doctor Psycho)
Cox made history three years ago as the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy, and now she’s back in the drama category after her show got reclassified. Cox didn’t appear much in season four, and her submitted episode showed her for the first time in a while, doing poorly in solitary confinement. She’s talented, to be sure, but I don’t think she compares to the other contenders in this category for this particular except of work.

Ann Dowd as Patti Levin, The Leftovers (The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother))
Dowd’s nomination here is welcome but an absurd both that Dowd wasn’t recognized two years ago for the show and that this serves as the single nomination earned by this series over the course of its three seasons. Even though I loved season one much more, Dowd, also nominated this year for “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is still a tour de force in this episode, playing perfectly off Justin Theroux. She’d be a great choice to win, and it could totally happen.

Shannon Purser as Barb Holland, Stranger Things (Holly, Jolly)
I’m not sure that if I had watched this show ahead of time and then heard about Purser’s nomination I would have been surprised, but I’m definitely in shock over her submission. While her presence – or lack thereof – continues to dominate the show going forward, she literally appears in one short scene at the beginning of this episode. While Margo Martindale has won in the past for similar screentime, even she was more prominent.

Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Hartness, How to Get Away with Murder (Go Cry Somewhere Else)
Ninety-two-year-old actress Tyson was nominated for this role two years ago and has eleven additional nominations prior to that, dating back to 1974 and including three wins, most recently in 1994. Her episode is full of meaty material, as she gets to sit in the back of the courtroom as her daughter is on trial and then speak to her after she gets beaten brutally. She even confesses to her daughter’s alleged crimes, though it’s claimed that her memory is fading and she doesn’t know what she’s saying. I thought Tyson would win two years ago and so she could just as easily now, but I wouldn’t rate this performance in the same league as most of the other nominees.

Alison Wright as Martha Hanson, The Americans (The Soviet Division)
Even just from watching a handful of episodes of this show each year, I could tell that Wright was a fan favorite and should have been nominated last year based on the show’s popularity with Emmy voters. Like previous winner Margo Martindale from her show in this category, she appears in just one scene, which finds her trying to speak Russian and learning about a new opportunity. If she won, it would only be out of nostalgia for the show, not anyone watching her episode.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who will win (based on individual episodes): Bledel or Dowd
Who will win: I’m hopeful that Bledel can manage this win as I think that she’s far enough ahead of the rest of the pack.

Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series