By Spencer Coile
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Historically announced with the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Show, Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series is a category often filled to the brim with brilliant performances -- making it no less memorable than the main stage categories. Won in the past by the likes of Allison Janney, Margo Martindale, Carrie Preston, and other incredible actresses of strage and screen, the soon-to-be winner will be joining prestigious company.
Fortunately, the nominees for the category this year are (for the most part) equal parts memorable and thoughtful -- leaving a lasting impact on their series. Let's dive into this year's nominees and determine who will and should win...
Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series Nominees:
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Alexis Bledel as "Ofglen" in The Handmaid's Tale: "Late"
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Laverne Cox as "Sophia Burset" in Orange is the New Black: "Doctor Psycho"
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Ann Dowd as "Patti Levin" in The Leftovers: "The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother)"
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Shannon Purser as "Barb Holland" in Stranger Things: "Jolly Holly"
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Cicely Tyson as "Ophelia Harkness" in How to Get Away with Murder: "Go Cry Somewhere Else"
Alison Wright as "Martha" in The Americans: "The Soviet Division"
Will Win: In many ways, each actress brings something unique to their characters. Purser's nomination is really her reward -- Barb, while an Internet phenomenon, is by no means the type of character that pulls out a win. Cox and Tyson offer beautiful glimpes of humanity, but after weak Emmy showings this year for the shows that house them, they will likely not earn the gold. Wright is stunning on The Americans, turning Martha into a sympathetic and loveable person. After being put through the ringer for so many seasons, there was something so satisfying in watching her find a happy(ish) ending in this season. Still, after missing out in Drama Series, is The Americans a strong contender here? Similarly, Dowd brings necessary antagonism to her role as Patti on The Leftovers, but perhaps the show getting recognized by the Emmys at all is its prize.
That leaves Alexis Bledel. She is on a hit series that has thirteen nominations total (including as a frontrunner in Best Drama Series). And perhaps most imporantly: she's good. She does not speak a word of dialogue in her entire submitted episode, but expresses anger, hurt, defiance, fear, and love in a short amount of time all through her eyes. It is impressive and heartbreaking and feels like an easy victory.
Should Win: Again, there is such artistry on display in this category. Aside from Purser (who is totally fine, but just that), no winner here would be upsetting. Still, Bledel's performance has been etched in my mind since first seeing "Late," and that is enough to want to see her win.
Could Spoil: The Americans has a great track record in this category, so maybe Wright could pull ahead. Dowd is also nominated in Drama Supporting Actress and will likely not win there either. Perhaps they will reward her here instead?
Your turn. Who do you think will win? But more significantly, who do you want to win in this undersung often brilliant category?