Before Emmy Gold: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

With TV taking on a new shape in 2025, the Emmys have become a challenging award show to predict the winners for. The competition in today’s awards has entered a severely unpredictable environment. It makes this year’s Emmy’s an exciting new avenue to celebrate the best in television. One of the most competitive categories this year is Lead Actor in a Drama series.
In Before Emmy Gold, we take a step back to look at this talented group of actors. This involves taking a look back at their best and most underrated performances before their 2025 nominations. This year, I’m taking a look back at each of their careers, and the performances this year that earned them the gold. For 2025, this includes a retrospective on performers Sterling K. Brown, Gary Oldman, Pedro Pascal, Adam Scott, and Noah Wyle.

Sterling K. Brown

Nominated for: Paradise

Previous Nominations: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson (2016, winner), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series –This Is Us, (2017, winner), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – This is Us (2018, nominated), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – This Is Us (2020 nominated), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Brooklyn 99 ( 2018 nominated), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – This Is Us (2020 nominated), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2020 nominated) Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series This Is Us (2021, nominated), Outstanding Narrator – Lincoln Divided We Stand (2021, Won), (Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Invincible (2024, nominated)

Hidden Gems: Waves, 2016

This is Us did more than just make Sterling K. Brown a household name. It gives audiences the chance to see his dramatic heft as a performer. Looking back nine years since the start of This is Us, Brown has proved himself as a versatile performer. From more serious turns like 2016’s Waves, his supporting comedic turns in Brooklyn 99 to Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, to 2025’s Paradise gave him room to show more tools in his acting paintbox.
His work in Paradise once again showed an entirely different side of the actor. While the dramatic heft was present, it showcased a subtle comedic tinge. Granted, that is not the most fascinating part of the performance. Paradise gave him the added layer of being an action star. Some may consider that an easy task, which is the furthest thing from the truth. The performance gives both fragility and strength, making him someone audiences care for. No matter the heightened situations, he makes Xavier Collins feel like a real person.

Gary Oldman

Nominated for: Slow Horses
Previous Nominations: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series – Friends  (2001 nominated), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Slow Horses (2024 nominated)

Hidden Gems: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, 2011

What is there to say about Gary Oldman that has not already been said? Having a 40-year career has proven his versatile talent as a performer. From his Oscar-winning role in 2018’s Darkest Hour to larger-than-life performances in 1994’s Leon: The Professional and 1997’s The Fifth Element, it’s hard to take your eyes off him. That’s what makes his role in Slow Horses all the better.

Looking back on his career, Slow Horses just might be one of my favorite Oldman performances. His role as master spy, Jackson Lamb, can be best described as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The character’s flatulent, crude, rude, and profane exterior hides an entirely different side. Lamb is always the most intelligent man in the room, three steps ahead of his opposition. That even includes his team of ‘Slow Horses’, whom he cares more about than he’d ever admit. Not only is it an entertaining performance, but one that surprises viewers with each new episode.

Pedro Pascal

Nominated for: The Last of Us

Previous Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – The Last of Us (2023, nominated), Outstanding Guest Actors in a Comedy Series – Saturday Night Live (episode: Pedro Pascal/Coldplay), Outstanding Narrator – Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World (2023, nominated)

Hidden Gems: Freaky Tales, 2025

Pedro Pascal’s career can best be described as a rocket ship in continuous blastoff. Once he blasted off, there was no going back. From his breakout turn in Game of Thrones as Oberyn Martell audiences couldn’t wait to see more of him. Now, after superhero films like Fantastic Four, and smaller-scale films like Freaky Tales and Materialists, it shows that Pascal can do it all.
His performance as Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us showed another side altogether. Not only does he nail the ferocious protector persona, but he also portrays someone wrestling with grief. It’s a performance that requires serious emotional range, something some modern actors simply aren’t capable of. No matter the emotion, Pascal knows how to say so much by saying so little. His eyes tell a story in ways that speak volumes. Add in moments of tenderness with Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, and it’s simply a one-of-a-kind role.

Adam Scott

Nominated for: Severance

Previous Nominations: Outstanding Drama Series – Severance (season one, 2022, nominated), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Severance (episode: “Good News About Hell”)

Hidden Gems: (Sleeping with Other People, 2015)

Severance has catapulted Adam Scott into a new stratosphere of fame. But, let’s not forget his prosperous career beforehand. Primarily a comedic actor, Scott has had a staying power in that space. His cult hit show Party Down is still talked about today, praising his “straight man” sensibilities. After his debut in Parks and Recreation season 2, Scott became more than just a “straight man”. He existed as an endearing goofball that audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with. While effective, it wasn’t until Severance released in 2022, that Adam Scott got to showcase new acting abilities.

Scott’s performance in Severance (especially in season 2) flips his “straightman” persona on its head. Starting the series as an everyman, he has to portray his character (Mark Scout) as someone living a lie. It allows Scott to deliver a newfound emotionality, as secrets begin to be unveiled. It’s a rare feat to where audiences sympathize and relate to Mark’s story. He’s an everyman simply going to work (like us all), but a darkness begins to take shape. Scott takes viewers on a journey, compelling us from start to finish. Applying that reliability amidst the tense, funny, and dark story, makes it easily earn its place amongst his Emmy-nominated competition.

Noah Wyle

Nominated for: The Pitt

Previous Nominations: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER (1995), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER (1996), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER (1997), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER (1998), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER (1999)

Hidden Gems: Falling Skies, 2011

While known for his role in ER, Noah Wyle has been in the industry for decades. From numerous TV show appearances (The Librarians and Falling Skies) to the occasional film role, Wyle knew how to keep audiences attention. His chameleonic quality as an actor made him slip into roles with ease. Viewers always believed him and engaged with him, no matter the genre he found himself in. When The Pitt released in January of this year, Wyle took that chameleonic quality in a new direction.

His performance in The Pitt is more than just someone acting. Wyle morphs into someone that feels like a real doctor. Dr. Michael Robinavitch (or Dr. Robby) feels like someone you may actually meet in the medical field. Not only real as in feeling like a real doctor, but someone with understandable emotional pain and human flaws. It’s a balance that makes him consistently engaging. The show’s quick pacing certainly helps, but Wyle’s portrayal serves as an anchor. He’s a reliable sense of calm in the series, until his own emotions reach a boiling point. When that happens viewers stay so invested emotionally, every story beat in the series packs a punch. It makes his role have a genuine humanity, unlike anything else I’ve seen on TV this year.