2014 Emmy Contenders: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

2014 Contenders
Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau "Game of Thrones"
Kit Harrington "Game of Thrones"
Aaron Paul "Breaking Bad"
Dean Norris "Breaking Bad"
Jon Voight "Ray Donovan"
Mandy Patinkin "Homeland"
Tracey Letts "Homeland"
F. Murray Abraham "Homeland"
Jim Carter "Downton Abbey"
Brendan Coyle "Downton Abbey"
Rob James-Collier "Downton Abbey"
Josh Charles "The Good Wife"
Alan Cumming "The Good Wife"
Matt Czurchy "The Good Wife"
Chris Noth "The Good Wife"
Michael Kelly "House of Cards"
Gerald McRaney "House of Cards"
Walton Goggins "Justified"
John Slattery "Mad Men"
Vincent Kartheiser "Mad Men"
Ben Feldman "Mad Men"
Sam Waterston "The Newsroom"
Dev Patel "The Newsroom"
Thomas Sadoski "The Newsroom"
John Gallagher Jr. "The Newsroom"
Jeffrey Wright "Boardwalk Empire"
Michael Kenneth Williams "Boardwalk Empire"
Noah Emmerich "The Americans"
Freddie Highmore "Bate's Motel"
Mads Mikkelsen "Hannibal"
Laurence Fishburne "Hannibal"
Michael Gaston "Turn"
Peter Krause "Parenthood"
Craig T. Nelson "Parenthood"
Alexander Ludwig "Vikings"
Clive Standen "Vikings"
David Morrissey "The Walking Dead"
Jeff Perry "Scandal"
Tony Goldwyn "Scandal"

Commentary - This past episode of Game of Thrones put Peter Dinklage in the spotlight, the result of which may earn Dinklage another Emmy. But after Emilia Clarke broke through last year, I wonder if maybe one of the other cast members, maybe Nikolaj Costar-Waldau or Kit Harrington, both of whom have had baity material this year. No matter what happens though, Dinklage is definitely one to watch for. And of course you cannot forget about Aaron Paul. He has won this category twice, and I'm sure most people are still lingering on the last half season of Breaking Bad. But he will face some internal competition from Dean Norris, who has the material this year to make a final breakthrough for the show. The only real stand alone here (meaning no internal competition) is Jon Voight. He won the Golden Globe this year because he's an Oscar-winning legend, and the HFPA are star whores. But he is also a respected veteran actor in a bright new role, so even the less star-hungry Television Academy could recognize his performance. Other than that it is best to look at the contenders grouped by their show. The Good Wife has had a resurgent season, and Josh Charles whose character had a shocking narrative this year, is sure to be given a second look. But I wonder if some of the other wonderful actors on the roster can get some love to. If Emmy voters are paying attention, then The Good Wife could surprise us all and clean up in the acting categories. Homeland got Mandy Patinkin in last year, but I just don't know if voters are going to embrace the show this year. They always seem to be slow to changes in terms of nominations, but the quality has dipped tremendously, and so it could drop out of nods significantly. Or it could continue to excel at least another year until Emmy voters finally wise up. Mad Men used to clean up in this category, but it looks like this might be a year where it completely missed the boat. Jim Carter got in again last year to much surprise, proving that Downton is still potent with older voters. We, as the blogging community, can continue to ignore him all we want to, but don't be surprised if he (or the other co-star submitted, not sure yet which one they'll pick) continues to be recognized. Finally, don't discount the guys from Boardwalk Empire (Bobby Cannavale even won last year as Boardwalk did much better than expected), The Newsroom, Hannibal, Scandal, Parenthood, House of Cards, oh and Walton Goggins for Justified or Freddie Highnmore for Bates' Motel (turns out there were more stand alone contenders).