The Don’t-Not-Consider List

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Emmy voters are people just like us – they have their preferences and simply can’t watch every single TV show out there. Even though fewer shows were made recently due to the strikes, there’s still a huge number competing for Emmy awards this spring. That’s where ‘For Your Consideration’ campaigns come in – they help voters learn about the shows and actors in the running. Interestingly, the shows and stars already well-known usually get the most attention from these campaigns, even though they don’t really need the extra promotion. For example, everyone already knows that Jean Smart or Noah Wyle are Emmy contenders this year, so they don’t need billboards to remind anyone.

As a TV critic, I get it – Emmy season always seems to focus on the same handful of shows. It’s frustrating, honestly, because it shuts out so much great work. I’m just as guilty of predicting the frontrunners myself! That’s why I make it a point each year to look beyond the usual suspects – the critically acclaimed hits and even the shows that didn’t quite land. I want to highlight performances that deserve attention, even if they come from shows that premiered ages ago or were considered failures. Because once the awards predictors decide a show has no chance, it almost never gets a fair look, and that’s a real shame.

I’ve been noticing a lot of great performances that don’t seem to be getting the Emmy attention they deserve, so my colleagues and I put together a list. We focused on actors who haven’t been nominated for this specific role before, and who aren’t currently predicted to be frontrunners. We really think these performances deserve a look! Emmy voting doesn’t even start until June 11th, so there’s still time to catch up. We’re hoping Emmy voters will at least give them a chance – don’t just dismiss them out of hand!

Malin Akerman, The Hunting Wives

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Great television acting isn’t always about intense, dramatic roles. Sometimes, the most enjoyable performances are simply the most fun to watch. Malin Akerman’s portrayal of Margo Banks in The Hunting Wives is a perfect example. She expertly balances the show’s blend of drama and comedy, never appearing overly serious but also avoiding obvious silliness. While Britney Snow, as the main character, needs to seem captivated by the world of wealthy Texas wives, Akerman creates that world. She fully commits to a flamboyant Southern accent, playfully seduces Snow with a dramatic pool entrance, handles guns with ease, and even sports a noticeable wig without ever acknowledging it. Akerman consistently looks like she’s genuinely enjoying herself, but she avoids over-the-top performance that would undermine the show’s tension. Ultimately, no matter how over-the-top things get, she allows viewers to fully embrace and enjoy the show’s wildness. This isn’t a showy, prestige-driven performance, but it’s a skillfully executed technique perfectly suited to the genre, and that deserves recognition. — Jason P. Frank

Rose Byrne, Platonic

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Rose Byrne has been receiving a lot of recognition lately – awards for her film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and a Tony nomination for Fallen Angels. However, it’s a shame she’s not getting enough attention for her hilarious performance in Platonic. Reuniting with her Neighbors director and co-star, Seth Rogen, Byrne proves just how talented she is as a comedic actress. The show’s second season gives her plenty of opportunities to shine as her character’s event-planning business clashes with a disastrous wedding planned by her best friend. In a landscape filled with dramatic actresses trying their hand at comedy, Byrne stands out as a true comedic force, with a knack for finding the funniest way to deliver a line or gesture. Her chemistry with Rogen is fantastic, just like in the Neighbors movies. It was a mistake for Apple to downplay the show after its first season, hoping for an Emmy nomination for Byrne with Physical instead. This year, though, Platonic deserves to be recognized. — Joe Reid

Sabrina Impacciatore, The Paper

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

The new show could easily have been another forgettable reboot relying on nostalgia, quickly dismissed like yesterday’s news. It does follow the familiar formula of the original – we see characters reminiscent of Stanley, Jim and Pam’s developing relationship, the dynamic between office and warehouse staff, and Oscar playing a similar role. However, the show’s brilliance lies in its unexpected choice for the new manager: Esmerelda Grand, a beautiful but delusional Italian woman. This role was perfectly suited for Sabrina Impacciatore, the Italian actress known for her moving performance in White Lotus. She delivers lines in a uniquely surprising and hilarious way, and is incredibly charming even when she’s being mischievous. Impacciatore plays Esmerelda as someone completely out of place in the ordinary city of Toledo, yet convinced she’s in charge. She’s admitted to often being confused during script readings, and even bases the character on Tweety Bird! Whatever her process, Impacciatore manages to bring something fresh and original to a well-worn format, delivering what many consider the best comedic performance on television this season. — Rebecca Alter

Daniel Ings, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Sometimes, simple attractiveness isn’t enough to describe the captivating Daniel Ings, who plays Ser Lyonel Baratheon – nicknamed the “Laughing Storm” – in HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Ings brings a mischievous energy to every scene, making him a joy to watch. The show, adapted from George R.R. Martin’s “Dunk and Egg” stories, serves as a bridge between seasons of House of the Dragon. Because it’s a shorter series, characters come and go quickly, which is unfortunate because Ings is a standout performer who elevates the entire show. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms succeeds in making Westeros feel vibrant and populated with complex, relatable people simply trying to find happiness in a difficult world, and Lyonel Baratheon – brought to life by Ings – embodies that perfectly. He brings a sense of energy, life, and the feeling that something exciting is always happening just beyond what we see. — Nicholas Quah

Guz Khan, Bait

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Guz Khan has been the standout performer this year, particularly in the series Bait. The show follows Shah, an actor played by Riz Ahmed, whose audition for James Bond dramatically alters his life, bringing both opportunity and hardship. He gains public attention but also becomes a target of prejudice and hate. Shah’s cousin, Zulfi, brought to life by Khan, is his closest confidant, unafraid to challenge him. Khan portrays Zulfi as a charismatic, quick-witted, and optimistic character who dreams of creating a ride-sharing service for Muslims. He’s a hustler who refuses to be defined by societal expectations. Their scenes together are dynamic, with Ahmed playing a more reserved role allowing Khan’s Zulfi to shine with confidence and street smarts, all while subtly confronting the stereotypes he faces daily. Khan’s presence is captivating in every scene – he doesn’t steal focus, but his powerful personality is simply impossible to ignore. According to Roxana Hadadi, if Emmy voters actually watched Bait, Khan would be a guaranteed winner.

Leighton Meester, I Love LA

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

It’s surprising Leighton Meester hasn’t even been nominated for an Emmy, considering her memorable role as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl. While she’s won Teen Choice Awards, Emmy recognition has eluded her. Her current show, I Love LA, might be too niche for Emmy voters, but Meester’s performance is strong enough to warrant attention. She plays Alyssa, a talent agent and mentor, in the HBO comedy, perfectly embodying the millennial “girlboss” aesthetic. However, she’s challenged by Maia, a Gen Z employee who forces Alyssa to confront her outdated methods and a surprisingly chaotic personal life. Meester delivers a hilarious and convincing performance as a woman desperately trying to maintain a facade of success. She’s a fantastic supporting character in I Love LA’s satirical look at ambition, proving she’s still a talented actress even if her character isn’t thriving. — Fran Hoepfner

Ken Leung, Industry

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

The departure of Ken Leung as Eric Tao from the show Industry leaves a significant void. The series is filled with flawed characters seeking fulfillment through finance, but consistently finding it lacking – a clear statement by the creators about the emptiness of the financial world. Eric Tao perfectly represented this internal conflict. From the start, he was a compellingly broken character, aware of the moral failings of those he served, yet driven by the work itself. Despite achieving immense wealth, he remained deeply unhappy, a contrast Ken Leung brilliantly portrayed through subtle expressions and body language. A particularly poignant moment is his honest admission to Harper Stern that nothing feels as exhilarating as his successes in the market. With Tao’s exit halfway through the fourth season and his return for the final season uncertain, this is likely the last chance for the Emmys to acknowledge Leung’s outstanding performance, and it’s a role truly deserving of recognition.

Alfred Molina (or, honestly, anyone), The Boroughs

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

While many are quick to compare The Boroughs to a nostalgic, older version of Stranger Things, the show rises above that simple comparison thanks to its incredibly talented cast. They skillfully handle the show’s complex mix of tones and make even the less-convincing special effects believable. Alfred Molina is a strong contender for recognition, particularly if The Boroughs is entered as a Limited Series – he’s been nominated for supporting roles previously for The Normal Heart and Feud: Bette and Joan. However, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, and Clarke Peters are equally deserving of supporting actor nominations, and Alfre Woodard could easily be nominated as Lead Actress. A complete sweep of the acting categories is probably unlikely, but it would be a well-deserved acknowledgement of what makes the series truly special – its phenomenal performances.

Camila Morrone, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Haley Z. Boston’s limited series, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, is enjoyable but a bit uneven – it might have worked better as a film. Despite the simple premise – a wedding doomed to a dark fate – Morrone’s performance as Rachel is surprisingly strong. She skillfully portrays a character burdened by a complex past and uncertain future. Morrone avoids typical horror stereotypes, creating a nuanced and unpredictable character that keeps viewers guessing. She also shares compelling chemistry with the entire main cast. Unfortunately, Emmy voters often overlook horror performances, but Morrone deserves recognition as this year’s breakout TV star. — J.R.

John Slattery, Vladimir

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

The Netflix series based on Julia May Jonas’s novel is a bit of a divisive experience – people will either love it or hate it. If you enjoy shows with a distinctive, self-aware narrator and don’t mind a bit of self-indulgence, you’ll probably be fine. But it’s not designed to appeal to everyone. What is universally appealing? John Slattery’s performance. He casually wanders through the series, enjoying cocktails and obsessively checking on his lettuce, and it feels completely natural. Slattery is brilliant at delivering strong performances that still feel effortless, as if he’s always been there, yelling about lettuce, and the show just happened to be filmed around him. It’s remarkable that he can play a character accused of harassment and still be so enjoyable to watch. It’s baffling, but he’s fantastic. — Kathryn VanArendonk

Kate O’ Flynn, Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Katie Dippold’s new show is the best debut of the year – a clever and entertaining blend of classic horror tropes. What makes it so promising is its large and quirky cast of characters living in a strange New England town. Among them, Kate O’Flynn truly shines as Patricia, a character who’s both the mayor’s assistant and the driver of a bookmobile called the “Pattiwagon.” Patricia is a fascinating mix of familiar horror archetypes – a bit like Carrie, a final girl, and a witch – a lonely outcast who seems capable of both vulnerability and something much darker. This tension is especially compelling in the fourth episode, “Beach Reads,” where a book disguised as self-help inspires a party that almost turns into a dangerous ritual. This episode perfectly captures the show’s unique blend of humor, creepiness, and oddness, and O’Flynn delivers a remarkable performance. Like many residents of the town, Patricia starts as a comedic character but gradually becomes much more complex, and O’Flynn skillfully portrays this transformation. I hadn’t seen O’Flynn’s work before, but I’ve heard she’s also excellent in the show My Lady Jane, and I’m eager to watch it. Her performance in Widow’s Bay is so captivating that it makes me want to see everything she’s ever done.

Semi-Related Thoughts

Emmy Campaign Tactic No. 374: Nostalgia

Keke Palmer cleverly reminded Emmy voters about her performance in The Burbs during The Hollywood Reporter‘s comedy actress roundtable. She did this by referencing the infamous 2007 viral video, “2 Girls, 1 Cup.” THR‘s annual event, which brings together potential Emmy winners, included Lisa Kudrow alongside Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), Rachel Sennott (I Love L.A.), Ashley Padilla (Saturday Night Live), and Palmer. The conversation, sparked by Padilla discussing a particularly edgy Groundlings show, led Palmer to jokingly suggest someone was creating content similar to the notorious, and now somewhat legendary, viral video – a reference to a Brazilian scat porn video that gained widespread attention in the late 2000s.

When someone mentioned ‘2G1C,’ the conversation around the table quickly turned to memories of millennials growing up with early internet culture – specifically, the strange and often crude memes that were popular at the time. Lisa Kudrow seemed either confused by the reference or didn’t want to discuss it, and she started a separate conversation with someone else. This highlighted how quickly Taylor Palmer can become a trending topic, even while promoting a lesser-known show. Whether she’s making thought-provoking statements about a famous song or distancing herself from controversial figures, Palmer consistently generates buzz, making an Emmy win seem likely in the future.

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2026-05-30 01:57