2017 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

2017 Nomination Predictions
Jonathan Banks "Better Call Saul"
Jared Harris "The Crown"
Ron Cephas Jones "This is Us"
Michael Kelly "House of Cards"
John Lithgow "The Crown
Jeffrey Wright "Westworld"

Other Contenders - Ed Harris "Westworld", Jon Voight "Ray Donovan", Christopher Eccleston "The Leftovers", Christian Slater "Mr. Robot", Michael McKean "Better Call Saul", David Habour "Stranger Things", Giancarlo Esposito "Better Call Saul", Jeffrey Dean Morgan "The Walking Dead", Justin Hartley "This is Us", Frank Langella "The Americans", Mandy Patinkin "Homeland", James Marsden "Westworld", Joseph Fiennes "The Handmaid's Tale", Mahershala Ali "Luke Cage", Joel Kinnaman "House of Cards', Beau Bridges "Bloodline"

Commentary - This is another one, where there are a lot of spots to fill. Three guys are either out of contention (Game of Thrones duo), or are in another category (Ben Mendelsohn). I think that Michael Kelly and Jonathan Banks are coming back. Kelly is vulnerable as House of Cards has dipped in quality. I also think that Jon Voight is out. He has bounced in and out of this category before, and after the 2016 election season, the notable conservative might face a backlash. That leaves four huge slots. John Lithgow is a shoo-in and probably a favorite to win his like billionth Emmy. Jeffrey Wright seems like a safer bet over Ed Harris, which might confuse some folks, but remember that Wright is a favorite among these voters. Jared Harris is a previous nominee, and will ride a Crown wave. Finally, I think that veteran Ron Cephas Jones pulls a Margo Martindale and rides a wave of support and love for his show to make the cut. He is one of those to really watch for. If he gets in, he could win. Beyond that, I would watch for Ed Harris, who is a beloved veteran, Jon Voight, Christopher Eccleston (who could ride a Leftovers wave), Christian Slater, Michael McKean and Giancarlo Esposito, David Harbour, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Justin Hartley, previous nominee and winner Mandy Patinkin, Joseph Fiennes, Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, and the ever popular Beau Bridges. With so many open slots, there is so much room for a surprise.