My Emmy Ballot: Supporting Performances

Like every year, narrowing down the supporting categories to just six names each is like pulling teeth. The sheer number of actors to choose from is already staggering, but even narrowing it down to only shows I watch and to those who I think deserve a nomination, it's still a lot of people. I've forced myself to a maximum of two nominations per show per category or else Supporting Actress in a Drama would just be filled with ladies from Orange is the New Black. That said, feel free to check out my alternate lists, because it's an embarrassment of riches.

Disclaimer: Only performances I have seen are qualified and I'm going to honor the category the actors have chosen to submit themselves in, even when I don't agree.

Supporting Actor, Comedy
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Jaime Camil, Jane the Virgin
Noel Fisher, Shameless
Hugh Laurie, Veep
Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation

Braugher, Offerman, and Fisher had made previous shortlists of mine and they're here again because they're just too damn good. Laurie is back on TV since his House days and was a great addition to an already ridiculously hilarious ensemble. Burgess is the fabulous heart of his show even while singing Pinot Noir songs and dressing up as a lion or a robot. But if I only had one ballot, I would probably give it to new-to-me actor Camil who is an absolute and utter hammy delight with a character that could've easily been one-dimensionally grating. #rogeliomybrogelio

Alternates: Timothy Omundson (Galavant), Andrew Rannells (Girls), Raul Castillo (Looking), Brett Dier (Jane the Virgin), Cameron Monaghan (Shameless), Zach Woods (Silicon Valley), Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) and Lamorne Morris (New Girl)

Supporting Actress, Comedy
Yael Grobas, Jane the Virgin
Melora Hardin, Transparent
Marsai Martin, black-ish
Andrea Navedo, Jane the Virgin
Amanda Peet, Togetherness
Chelsea Peretti, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Peretti is the only repeat name on my list and it's because there's been a lot of fantastic new shows this season. Peretti is of course back because she's my soul mate obviously. Hardin is pleasantly unrecognizable in a role that plays against type while Grobas, like Camil and MANY of the other characters on the show, really does a lot of a tricky character. Her co-star Navedo is the show's secret weapon as its her relationship with her daughter that's the real heart of the show. Peet has never been better in a naturalistic role that really suits her and finally, Martin is too adorable for words. Literally... too adorable.

Alternates: Anna Chlumsky (Veep), Judith Light (Transparent), Kate McKninnon (Saturday Night Live), Bernadette Peters (Mozart in the Jungle), Lauren Weedman (Looking), Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory), Ivonne Coll (Jane the Virgin) and Jane Krawkowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)

Supporting Actor, Drama
Matt Czuchry, The Good Wife
James D'Arcy, Agent Carter
Joshua Jackson, The Affair
Allen Leech, Downton Abbey
Conrad Ricamora, How to Get Away with Murder
Jussie Smollett, Empire

Looking at this list, I think I've just come up with my dream orgy, but let's pretend I didn't just write that and move on. Czuchry may not have had to do a lot in the back half of the season, but he was given a lot in the first half including a prison storyline that the actor handled superbly. Leech probably plays the only likable character on that show and a lot of that has to do with his great chemistry with everyone. Jackson is electric as the cuckold husband while Ricamora is just too precious. D'Arcy and his chemistry with leading lady Hayley Atwell is definite highlight of the show and finally Smollett is the epitome of a breakthrough.

Alternates: Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul), George Blagden (Vikings), Vincent Kartheiser and Jay R. Ferguson (Mad Men), Matthew Goode (The Good Wife), Tom Hardy (Peaky Blinders), Jack Falahee (How to Get Away with Murder) and Burn Gorman (TURN: Washington's Spies)

Supporting Actress, Drama
Carrie Coon, The Leftovers
Ann Dowd, The Leftovers
Molly Parker, House of Cards
Charlotte Rampling, Broadchurch
Lorraine Toussaint, Orange is the New Black
Samira Wiley, Orange is the New Black

As I said above, I had to limit it to just two actors per show per category or else this category would just be full of Orange is the New Black players. I narrowed it down to Toussaint (whose villain dominated the season) and Wiley (whose flashback gave me the most emotion). I also had to double up with The Leftovers because Dowd's character was an absolute scene-stealer and Coon's character was such a badass. Parker in the meantime was able to expertly demand the screen's attention even in the presence of lead Kevin Spacey. Finally, Rampling is just excellent in the role of a barrister with a whole town's expectations on her shoulders. With all of this said, just look at the wonderful names below that missed the cut. I'm especially sad I had to leave off Hendricks/Jones for their final season.

Alternates: Lana Parilla (Once Upon a Time), Christina Hendricks and January Jones (Mad Men), Melissa McBride (The Walking Dead), Hayden Panettiere (Nashville), Kate Mulgrew, Barbara Rosenbalt and Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black) and Holly Taylor (The Americans)

The next couple of posts (leading performances and programs) should be slightly easier compared to this post!