Before you make your 2023 Emmy predictions for Best Drama Supporting Actor, take a tour of our photo gallery showcasing the men most likely to land in the lineup. Matthew Macfadyen, who prevailed on his second nomination for “Succession” last year, is the clear one to beat in the current race.
The only other 2022 contenders who are eligible again this year are Macfadyen’s own costars, Nicholas Braun and Kieran Culkin. The remaining five whose shows will not air new episodes in time are Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”), O Yeong-su and Park Hae-soo (“Squid Game”), and John Turturro and Christopher Walken (“Severance”).
Other former nominees looking for recognition this time are “Better Call Saul” duo Jonathan Banks and Giancarlo Esposito and “The Handmaid’s Tale” cast mates O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, and Bradley Whitford. Whitford was honored as a guest performer for the same role in 2019.
After receiving this award for “The Crown” in 2017, John Lithgow is now looking to win for his work on “The Old Man.” Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”) is in a similar situation, since he took this same prize for “The Sopranos” in 2004.
Actors seeking bids for new drama programs include Matt Smith (“House of the Dragon”) and “Andor” cast members Andy Serkis, Stellan Skarsgård, and Kyle Soller.
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Matthew Macfadyen, ‘Succession’ – Season 4
Image Credit: Macall B. Polay/HBO Network: HBO
Role: Tom Wambsgans, the son-in-law of a media conglomerate founder who carves out his own path to success in the company.
Emmys history:
Won for Season 3 (2022)
Nominated for Season 2 (2020) -
Kieran Culkin, ‘Succession’ – Season 4
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Roman Roy, the youngest son of a global media company founder whose future is uncertain.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Seasons 2-3 (2020, 2022) -
F. Murray Abraham, ‘The White Lotus’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Bert Di Grasso, a womanizing widower vacationing with his son and grandson.
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Giancarlo Esposito, ‘Better Call Saul’ – Season 6B
Image Credit: AMC Network: AMC
Role: Gus Fring, a drug kingpin with a professional connection to lawyer Jimmy McGill, aka Saul Goodman.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Season 4 of “Breaking Bad” (2012)
Nominated for Seasons 4-5 of “Better Call Saul” (2019-2020) -
Matt Smith, ‘House of the Dragon’ – Season 1
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of Viserys I, the fifth king of the Seven Kingdoms.
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Nicholas Braun, ‘Succession’ – Season 4
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Greg Hirsch, the great nephew of a global media mogul who teams with his cousin’s husband to rise within the company.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Seasons 2-3 (2020, 2022) -
John Lithgow, ‘The Old Man’ – Season 1
Image Credit: FX on Hulu Network: FX
Role: Harold Harper, an FBI director who is tasked with apprehending a former CIA operative on the run.
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Jonathan Pryce, ‘The Crown’ – Season 5
Image Credit: Netflix Network: Netflix
Role: Prince Philip, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s royal consort from 1952 to 2021.
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Jonathan Banks, ‘Better Call Saul’ – Season 6B
Image Credit: Greg Lewis/AMC Network: AMC
Role: Mike Ehrmantraut, a former police officer who associates himself with shifty lawyer Jimmy McGill, aka Saul Goodman.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Season 5 of “Breaking Bad” (2013)
Nominated for Seasons 1-4 of “Better Call Saul” (2015-2017, 2019) -
Alan Ruck, ‘Succession’ – Season 4
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Connor Roy, the eldest child of a global media mogul who sets his sights on the U.S. presidency.
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Stellan Skarsgård, ‘Andor’ – Season 1
Image Credit: Disney+ Network: Disney+
Role: Luthen Rael, a Rebel Alliance member who hires the titular smuggler for his first mission.
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Tom Hollander, ‘The White Lotus’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Quentin, a wealthy man who befriends a woman whose husband has left her alone in Sicily.
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Michael Imperioli, ‘The White Lotus’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Dominic Di Grasso, a womanizing Hollywood producer vacationing with his father and son.
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Elijah Wood, ‘Yellowjackets’ – Season 2
Image Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Showtime Network: Showtime
Role: Walter, a citizen detective who forms a working relationship with nurse Misty Quigley.
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Theo James, ‘The White Lotus’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Cameron Sullivan, an investments manager vacationing with his wife and a couple of friends.
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Bradley Whitford, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ – Season 5
Image Credit: Hulu Network: Hulu
Role: Joseph Lawrence, a high-ranking commander in a dystopian society.
Emmys history:
Won Best Drama Guest Actor for Season 2 (2019)
Nominated for Best Drama Supporting Actor for Seasons 3-4 (2020-2021) -
Will Sharpe, ‘The White Lotus’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Ethan Spiller, a tech entrepreneur vacationing with his wife and a couple of friends.
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Cole Hauser, ‘Yellowstone’ – Season 5
Image Credit: Paramount Network: Paramount
Role: Rip Wheeler, the foreman at the Dutton family’s Yellowstone ranch.
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Andy Serkis, ‘Andor’ – Season 1
Image Credit: Disney+ Network: Disney+
Role: Kino Loy, an Imperial prisoner who is responsible for overseeing the labors of his fellow inmates.
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Amar Chadha-Patel, ‘Willow’ – Season 1
Image Credit: Amanda Searle/Disney+ Network: Disney+
Role: Thraxus Boorman, a treasure hunter who joins a quest to rescue a kidnapped prince.
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Kyle Soller, ‘Andor’ – Season 1
Image Credit: Disney+ Network: Disney+
Role: Syril Karn, a security serviceman on the hunt for the titular smuggler.
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O-T Fagbenle, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ – Season 5
Image Credit: Hulu Network: Hulu
Role: Luke Bankole, a man who helps his wife as she flees the confines of child-bearing slavery.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Season 4 (2021) -
Max Minghella, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ – Season 5
Image Credit: Hulu Network: Hulu
Role: Nick Blaine, a commander in a dystopian society.
Emmys history:
Nominated for Season 4 (2021) -
Ken Leung, ‘Industry’ – Season 2
Image Credit: HBO Network: HBO
Role: Eric Tao, a managing director at a London investment bank.
