By Spencer Coile
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Like in year’s past, Game of Thrones came back into the Emmy conversation by steamrolling the competition with an historic nomination count of 32. Amidst a plethora of technical categories and despite its middling reception for its eighth and final season, the HBO juggernaut still managed to score a whopping four nominations in the Supporting Actress in a Drama Series race. With The Handmaid’s Tale largely ineligible this Emmy cycle, it felt inevitable that another show would swoop in and dominate this category, a trend that's been growing given the new nomination procedures.
Still, this does not guarantee that the Iron Throne secures an easy victory. With two first-time Emmy nominees outside of Game of Thrones (can you believe Fiona Shaw has never been nominated?!) in scene stealing roles, might this race be more unpredictable than we once thought?
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominees:
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Gwendoline Christie as “Brienne of Tarth” on Game of Thrones: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”
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Julia Garner as “Ruth Langmore” on Ozark: “The Gold Coast”
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Lena Headey as “Cersei Lannister” on Game of Thrones: “The Bells”
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Fiona Shaw as “Carolyn Martens” on Killing Eve: “Nice and Neat”
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Sophie Turner as “Sansa Stark” on Game of Thrones: “Winterfell”
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Maisie Williams as “Arya Stark” on Game of Thrones: “The Long Night”
Will Win: I recently finished Game of Thrones and I completely understand the criticisms of its final season. It plays rushed, almost like a parody of its previous seasons. But that is through no fault of the four nominees here. That said, Sophie Turner’s nomination feels like the reward when you compare her role to the others. Maisie Williams, while getting one of the most satisfying arcs in “The Long Night,” is sidelined until her “big” moment. And despite being the most nominated actor in this category, if Lena Headey couldn’t win for much stronger seasons, does she really stand much of a shot with a glorified cameo?
Fiona Shaw is quite a foil to Sandra Oh’s intensity on Killing Eve, but the series' Emmy narrative is still more about Oh than anyone else. There is something to be said for Gwendoline Christie, who submitted herself when HBO wouldn’t, and was then nominated. Brienne is an incredibly sympathetic character with a touching scene in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” However, vote-splitting might prove to be a challenge for the Game of Thrones women. Quietly lurking, though, is Julia Garner on Ozark. After scoring nominations from Critics’ Choice and SAG, Garner’s momentum keeps growing. I’m guessing it’s enough to snatch that trophy.
Should Win: It really is a shame Headey didn’t have more to do in the final season of Game of Thrones. Any other year, she would have been my vote. When all is said and done, one of the best television scenes this year came from Gwendoline Christie - and she barely said a word in it. She gave a complete, beautiful performance and if my beloved Indya Moore couldn’t get in for Pose, I’m hoping Christie can pull an upset.
Could Spoil: Again, they didn’t get a lot to do, but Maisie Williams still was center-stage for one of the most buzzed about TV moments this year and Lena Headey could be seen as overdue in this last chance for the statue.
In other words, this race is a mess! But the best mess, because it's a real race. Whoever wins, it will be their first Emmy, so we can celebrate any victory.