If anything, this may be the hardest category of the night to unfold, considering that many of the heavy favorites – such as John Turturro, Jesse Plemons, and Tim Blake Nelson, of all people – didn’t get a nomination at all. Trying to figure out who’ll win is going to be tough for voters, much less the experts. But here goes
Yahiya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen: 4-1. For Playing: Cal Adar, Angela’s husband… and that’s all I’ll say. Pro: If you haven’t seen the series, there’s very little I can give away to explain why Abdul-Mateen deserves to win. If you’ve seen the series more than once, you realize there are layers upon layers to his performance that not even the character was aware of until near the end – and then everything took on a new level. I give extra credit in my choices as to who should win based on incremental things like this, and given the layout of this category, he’s my personal favorite. Con: A lot of his performance was so mannered and understated that it’s possible a lot of voters may have missed the nuances. That might end up working against him, even though he’s surging in the polls.
Jovan Adepo, Watchmen: 13-2. For Playing: The young Will Reeves. Pro: I’m willing to bet almost everything that Adepo earned his nomination for the episode ‘This Extraordinary Being’ the story that told Will’s backstory viewed by Angela under the influence of Nostalgia. If that is the case, it’s really hard to argue the choice considering that this episode got a lot of nominations and may have been the greatest technical episode of the series, which given everything the show accomplishment is remarkable in itself. And learning the whole truth of Will’s past and the backstory of so much was truly remarkable performance. Con: There were a lot of good performers who deserved nominations for this series – Nelson and Don Johnson are just the more obvious of the two. And for a category that’s supposed to deal with the whole rather than an individual, I have some objections to his presence here. I don’t think it’ll work for a win.
Tituss Burgess: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: 11-2. For Playing: Titus Andromedon, Kimmy’s unlikely bestie. Pro: Is it a shock or not? Burgess did get the lion share of the Emmy nominations when this show was in its original run, and may be the most undervalued actor in its entire cast. He should have won at least one Emmy for his work when the series was running on Netflix, and this may be the best chance to make it up to him. Con: How many times has a comedy series or movie been acknowledged in this category at all? The Emmys has strict rules, drama in drama, comedy and comedy, and never the twain shall meet. Burgess slipped through a loophole in those unofficial rules. I don’t think it’s big enough to give him a win
Louis Gossett Jr., Watchmen: 9-2. For Playing: Will Reeves in the present. Pro: Now this Will I have absolutely no problem being nominated. Gossett is one of the greatest undervalued actors in history, and watching him tell his story to his utterly flummoxed granddaughter – and realizing over the course of the series that he actually knew far less about the plot then anybody else in the show – featured Gossett doing some of his best work in a very long time. I honestly wouldn’t mind if he added an Emmy to his trophy case. Con: Too many Watchmen actors in this category and it doesn’t help matters his younger self is one of the nominees. That could really hurt his chances.
Dylan McDermott, Hollywood: 13-2. For Playing: Ernie West, a gas jockey hoping to make it big. Pro: McDermott has always been one of my favorite actors, going all the way back to The Practice. It was a little shocking to see him end up under Ryan Murphy’s cast of players, but maybe not considering how his good looks have always hidden darkness. He’s never been recognized for any of his work; I wouldn’t mind him triumphing here. Con: There were a lot more deserving actors from this series alone who deserved nominations. I’m not sure McDermott has the pull to get him there.
Jim Parsons, Hollywood: 39-10. For Playing: Henry Wilson, an aspiring producer. Pro: We’re all so used to Parsons work as Sheldon that we’re always surprised to see that there’s a real great actor under that face. When he’s given the opportunity, he shines and he really got a good one as this repressed agents stuck trying to lead an equally repressed client acknowledge him. A real change of pace. Con: Doesn’t Parsons have enough Emmys already? He got four in 5 years for playing Sheldon Cooper. Is it necessary to give the prize to the one nominee who already has a shelf full?
PREDICTION: With no clear frontrunner, I’m going to give the edge to Abdul-Mahteen – then again, he probably already knows if his character will win… has won… is winning… I’ve said too much.
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