Some new stars in the mix make it a little harder for “Succession” to secure one last Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series win at the 2023 Emmys.
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 15 to June 26, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 12. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be presented over two consecutive nights on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with an edited presentation of the ceremonies to be broadcast on FXX at a later date. Finally, the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards take place on Monday, September 18, and air live on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
The State of the Race
It’s hard to believe that Matthew Macfayden is the first and only “Succession” star to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for their work on the show. The cast is so stacked with memorable performances by male actors that one could make the case that even Arian Moayed is owed this Emmy for playing Stewy. Given how Season 4 will be the hit HBO drama’s final one, the biggest question becomes “Will the TV Academy give Macfayden another Emmy, or will it finally go to Kieran Culkin this year?” The latter actor has been the favorite to win this category two seasons in a row, and fell short both times, with Macfayden pulling ahead last spring with a scene-stealing turn in the Season 3 finale. The same thing could happen again where the writing is so great for Cousin Greg in the final stretch of the series that co-star Nicholas Braun, also a two-time nominee, finally wins the Emmy.
All that said, there are a few other dramas voters are sure to watch. “The White Lotus” got some surprise nominations into a jam-packed Limited Series race last year, so expect quite a few of the actors to make the cut in the slightly less competitive 2023 Drama category—especially Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham and Emmy winner Michael Imperioli. “Better Call Saul” ending gives more incentive to nominate stars Giancarlo Esposito and Jonathan Banks one last time for their iconic “Breaking Bad” characters. And to round things out, it is very easy to bet on former winners John Lithgow (“The Old Man”) and Bradley Whitford (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) securing a spot in this category, even if public interest in the latter’s Hulu show has waned.
Current Contenders (In Alphabetical Order):
F. Murray Abraham, “The White Lotus” (HBO)
Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
Nicholas Braun, “Succession” (HBO)
Kieran Culkin, “Succession” (HBO)
Giancarlo Esposito, “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
Tom Hollander, “The White Lotus”
Michael Imperioli, “The White Lotus” (HBO)
Theo James, “The White Lotus” (HBO)
John Lithgow, “The Old Man” (FX)
Matthew Macfadyen, “Succession” (HBO)
Alan Ruck, “Succession” (HBO)
Will Sharpe, “The White Lotus” (HBO)
Stellan Skarsgard, “Andor” (Disney+)
Matt Smith, “House of the Dragon” (HBO)
Bradley Whitford, “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
More Drama Category Predictions:
Outstanding Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
To see IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 75th Emmy Awards click here.
Last Year’s Winner: Matthew Macfadyen, “Succession”
Still Eligible: Yes.
Hot Streak: Not really any possible streaks outside of Macfadyen maybe winning a second year in a row for “Succession.”
Notable Ineligible Series: John Turturro and Christopher Walken, “Severance” (Season 2 was not eligible); Oh Young-soo, “Squid Game” (Season 2 was not eligible); Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show” (Season 3 was not eligible)
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