FYC: Underrated Players on Emmy-Noticed Series
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 1:15PM
Team Experience is sharing FYCs as the Television Academy votes on Emmy nominations (voting closes on June 24th). Here's Abe Fried-Tanzer
There are so many deserving series and performers that never stand a chance at the Emmys simply because voters don’t seem to notice their existence. The best recent example of an extremely talented cast almost entirely missing the Emmy radar is Parenthood, which squeaked out one lone acting bid – for guest actor Jason Ritter – over the course of its six seasons. While it hasn’t received that level of acclaim, Billions is another instance of a show with tremendous awards potential that hasn’t picked up any to date. But then there are shows that do manage to earn accolades, yet the enthusiasm doesn’t extend to all players. John Krasinski never got nominated for The Office despite three costars being nominated, and he’s not the only one to be ignored even though Emmy voters were clearly watching his show.
Here are five underrated players from shows Emmy voters do watch that deserve to break through this year...
Timothy Simons as Jonah Ryan, Veep
Simons has been doing fantastic work for a few years as the dim-witted former White House liaison to the Vice President’s office. In the show’s final season, he created a portrait of a mix between an adult baby and our real-life president as Jonah spewed whatever outlandish notions came to his mind, unworried and unaware of any potential fallout. Waging a war on “Muslim math” and permanently misunderstanding the difference between half-siblings and step-siblings were highlights of a formidable and frightening campaign. Simons was certainly more praiseworthy than two-time nominee Matt Walsh, whose character was relegated to less clever and relatable subplots this season.
Sam Richardson as Richard Splett, Veep
On a show populated with truly terrible people, Richard was the only truly good one. The starry-eyed, hopelessly optimistic and polite campaign aide stumbled into so many positions of power he didn’t ask for simply by being entirely honest at every turn. Portraying Richard is no easy feat, but Richardson made him so incredibly likeable and hilarious, eagerly volunteering for every crappy assignment because it was simply in his nature. Costar Tony Hale has already taken home two Emmys for playing the bag-carrying punching bag Gary. Give Richardson a turn for playing the real heart of this show.
Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher, Shameless
It took William H. Macy until season four to break through with Emmy voters, in part because of confusion about whether the show was indeed a comedy or a drama, and there are so many other supporting players on this show worthy of acclaim, including Jeremy Allen White and Cameron Monaghan. But there’s a reason that Rossum was able to secure a raise back in 2016 to put her salary above Macy’s to compensate for it being lower previously: she’s incredible as the bold young matriarch of the family, never one to back down from a fight. Her final year on the show was as excellent as always, and it’s about time she finally earned the respect she’s been due since season one.
Susan Kelechi Watson as Beath Pearson, This Is Us
This is a show about the five core members of the Pearson family, but those who inhabit their orbits are often just as fascinating. Watson has always been a strong player, more than holding her own in scenes with the primary characters. In season three, however, she leaned in fully to a plotline centered on her dreams and her resilience, and the result was fantastic. Beth became one of the most triumphant and sympathetic elements of the show, and Watson deserves a lot of credit for making her feel so genuine.
Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler, Better Call Saul
Seehorn is at a disadvantage, to a degree, because, unlike nominated costars Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks, her character didn’t originate on Emmy obsession Breaking Bad. Snce her debut on this show, she’s made Kim into a wholly worthwhile love interest for Jimmy, following the rules and covering for her good friend when he consistently broke them. As time has gone on, Kim has become even more tremendously watchable as she contemplates crossing the line more often, and Seehorn is at her most formidable when she conveys the giddy excitement Kim has at playing with fire. She may just be able to ride the wave of enthusiasm for the show that’s expected to do very well at the Emmys this year.
Mark these great ensemble standouts and any other unsung supporting heroes down on your Emmy ballots!
Reader Comments (17)
GOOD LORD Rhea Seehorn is SO GOOD on Better Call Saul. Her unleashing all her (AND Jimmy's) pent-up fury on Howard in episode 2 remains a highlight of the television year. She has always been good, but she just keeps on topping herself every season, and I hate that the television academy has yet to recognize her.
Thank God for mentioning Rhea Seehorn. She should have two Emmys by now!
Dancin' Dan: She should have become a fixture from S1, honestly. Gilligan has actually said "She's the next show", so...c'mon! Do it!
YES!!!! Someone who is rooting for Emmy Rossum as she has been overdue for some recognition from the Emmys.
Can you do a post about Schitt's Creek? Ok thanks bye! : )
Marin Hinkle has a chance of being continuously overlooked for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I'd nominate her over Alex Borstein (although they're both great).
Rhea! Seehorn!
Gwendoline Christie has deserved to be the default nominee for Game of Thrones over Peter Dinklage for seasons. She does not have much to do in the last season but she still dominates what she gets.
LaKeith Stanfield has been doing soulful and specifc work in Atlanta and he has alwaqys been my MVP.
Same goes for Zach Woods on Silicon Valley. He has been MVP for seasons.
As much as I love Richard Splett on "Veep," he's not the heart of the show. He's an innocent naif with a nice supporting role, but if there's a heart to this caustic comedy, it's Tony Hale's Gary. Not for nothing, he had the most important scene in the final minutes of the series.
Seehorn plays the richest female character in the Breaking Bad universe, and it's her quiet desperation that keeps the heart of the show with her and Jimmy, not the violent criminals
I absolutely agree with each and every one of the names that you listed here.
I will co-sign on Gwendoline Christie. She's one of this season's MVP's. I never noticed it but she made me realize this season how much I love Brienne as a character, one of the few truly honorable characters in "Game of Thrones".
Rhea Seehorn is so great. There's a scene where she lingers over a comma, semi-colon, or colon on a brief, and I have never felt so seen.
I love Sam Richardson - has anyone else seen his goofy show "Detroiters", with Tim Robinson? It's basically "Broad City" but with dudes - i.e. they are terrible people but love each other deeply and are always committed to their friendship.
Also Susan Kelechi Watson. She's always been so good.
Yeah, here to co-sign on Rhea Seehorn, who's just doing incredible work on Better Call Saul. Given that Kim Wexler is surrounded by characters we know the endgame for already, she's the one most able to surprise.
Gwendoline Christie is I don't think entered this year, and likewise Atlanta missed the eligibility window so LaKeith is out.
I know that if Emmy voters notice one international show, it's likely to be Fleabag, but Keeley Hawes should absolutely be in the race for Guest Actress for Bodyguard (and it's such different work to her role on Line of Duty) and Suranne Jones for her characterful, bracing turn on Gentleman Jack.
Audra McDonald should also be having an easier time getting a nomination for her wonderful work on The Good Fight this season, but that seems unlikely (the less said about Michael Shannon's performance the better).
Parenthood! I’m still bitter they never nominated anyone from the core cast.
Anthony Carrigan for "Barry" - such a weird, specific, wholly believable character. (I know this thread is mostly dead).