2021 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Bailey "Bridgerton"

Giancarlo Esposito "The Mandalorian"

O-T Fagbenle "The Handmaid's Tale"

John Lithgow "Perry Mason"

Tobias Menzies "The Crown"

Anthony Ramos "In Treatment"

Bradley Whitford "The Handmaid's Tale"

Michael Kenneth Williams "Lovecraft Country"

Other Contenders - John Benjamin Hickey "In Treatment", Chris Sullivan "This is Us", Justin Hartley "This is Us"

Commentary - The only nominee last year eligible to return is Bradley Whitford, who is sure to make the cut again. He is an Emmy-winning favorite, and a constant nominee for his role in The Handmaid's Tale. Giancarlo Esposito is set to return this year, but not for Better Call Saul, but for The Mandalorian, which he was nominated last year in Guest, and has bumped up to supporting. The Crown is so popular, I think Tobias Menzies, who also has the distinction of playing the late Price Philip, which can only help, will get in this race. A lot of folks are predicting both John Benjamin Hickey and Anthony Ramos for In Treatment. I don't know if the show is popular enough to bring them both in. Hickey is a previous nominee for The Big C, but Ramos is the more popular choice right now with Hamilton and In the Heights. I am saving a spot for him, with Hickey as the number 9 slot waiting to pounce. John Lithgow is a perennial favorite, and I think Perry Mason is going to do better than folks are predicting. Michael Kenneth Williams is a legend, he is fantastic in Lovecraft Country, and the cancellation occurred after Emmy voting ended. I think he gets in, and he should win this award. In the final slot, I have moved in  

O-T Fagbenle, whose buzz for The Handmaid's Tale is immense. I would also watch out for the This is Us guys, both of whom could easily take a spot.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Gillian Anderson "The Crown"

Helena Bonham Carter "The Crown"

Ann Dowd "The Handmaid's Tale"

Emerald Fennell "The Crown" 

Tatiana Maslany "Perry Mason"

Wunmi Mosaku "Lovecraft Country"

Yvonne Strahovski "The Handmaid's Tale"

Samira Wiley "The Handmaid's Tale"

Other Contenders - Aunjanue Ellis "Lovecraft Country", Dominique Jackson "Pose", Indya Moore "Pose", Sarah Paulson "Ratched", Judy Davis "Ratched", Nicola Coughlan "Bridgerton", Erin Doherty "The Crown", Adjoa Andoh "Bridgerton" 

Commentary - Gillian Anderson has won every major precursor leading up to the Emmys, she is the front runner and we know Helena Bonham Carter will join her in the race. I think The Handmaid's Tale, after a down year, will rebound due to lack of competition, and Dowd, Wiley, and Strahovski will all return to the race. Wunmi Mosaku should be in the mix, and I'm hoping voters have taken notice of her talent in Lovecraft Country. The last two slots are definitely up for grabs. I put in Tatiana Maslany, a recent Emmy favorite, and Emerald Fennell because Emmy voters love themselves some Oscar winners. But I could see Aunjanue Ellis getting in (and secretly hoping she does), or the two women from Pose (also secretly hoping), the two Bridgerton women (I would not be mad, both are great), Erin Doherty (a worthy nod, if it happens), and the two women from Ratched (love them both, but that show was atrocious).