filmtoppings
The seven nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series come from just four series. HBO Max’s The Pitt leads the pack with four nominees, with Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif, and Sepideh Moafi all celebrating their first-ever Emmy nominations, while Katherine LaNasa is again nominated for the same series after winning in the category last year. Past Emmy winners Allison Janney (The Diplomat) and Julianne Nicholson (Paradise), plus first-time nominee Karolina Wydra (Pluribus), are also nominated alongside them.
Taylor Dearden
Nominated For: The Pitt
Past Emmy History: N/A
Hidden Gem: Sweet/Vicious
Taylor Dearden has come a long way from her acting debut in an episode of Breaking Bad directed by the show’s star and her father, Emmy winner Bryan Cranston. Before The Pitt, she also had supporting roles on American Vandal, For All Mankind, and even a minor voice appearance in the Invincible special “Atom Eve”.
Dearden delivers a standout turn as resident Dr. Mel King, a gentle, focused, smart, and neurodivergent doctor. Mel gives us many of the show’s best moments and emulates the warmest of vibes. She cares deeply for her patients and her sister, while never judging or holding grudges against her colleagues.
Fiona Dourif
Nominated For: The Pitt
Past Emmy History: N/A
Hidden Gem: When We Rise
Fiona Dourif has appeared in Oscar-winning and nominated films such as Tenet and The Master, as well as recurring roles in series such as Shameless and The Blacklist. She earns her first career Emmy nomination as Dr. Cassie McKay.
Dourif brings wit and emotional resilience to her character as she navigates intense institutional pressure. We saw the character interacting with her ex-husband and son in the previous season, and here, her motherly instincts play into the events of the second season in a less direct but still very powerful manner.
Allison Janney
Nominated For: The Diplomat
Past Emmy History: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – The West Wing (2000 Winner, 2001 Winner), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – The West Wing (2002 Winner, 2003, 2004 Winner, 2006), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Mom (2014 Winner, 2015 Winner, 2016), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series – Masters of Sex (2014 Winner, 2015, 2016), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Mom (2017, 2018, 2021)
Hidden Gem: The Way, Way Back
Television royalty Allison Janney is a legend of film and television, from her Oscar win for I, Tonya to even well-known voice performances like Finding Nemo. She thrives in major genre productions like The Creator, as well as more independent, character-based dramas like The Way, Way Back.
Janney is a notable member of the cast of Netflix’s acclaimed series starring Keri Russell, and commands every frame in The Diplomat as President Grace Penn.
Katherine LaNasa
Nominated For: The Pitt
Past Emmy History: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – The Pitt (2025 Winner)
Hidden Gem: Imposters
LaNasa had starred in series like Truth Be Told, Two and a Half Men, and Dynasty before this series marked her breakout role in the limelight and immense awards love. Returning after her Emmy win for the show’s debut season, Katherine LaNasa anchors The Pitt as veteran Charge Nurse Dana Evans. LaNasa brings unwavering gravitas and deep empathy as the heartbeat of the hospital floor.
Sepideh Moafi
Nominated For: The Pitt
Past Emmy History: N/A
Hidden Gem: Black Bird
Acclaimed actress (and opera singer) Sepideh Moafi has starred in a number of TV series such as Black Bird, The Deuce, and Class of ’09. She makes an immediate impact in The Pitt as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, having joined the main cast in the second season.
Moafi delivers a striking performance defined by subtle authority and fierce dedication under immense pressure. Her rational, empathetic side often counters Dr. Robby’s flawed reactions under pressure, and her unforgettable work later in the season makes us feel closer to Dr. Al-Hashimi than ever.
Julianne Nicholson
Nominated For: Paradise
Past Emmy History: Past Emmy History: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Mare of Easttown (2021 Winner), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series – Hacks (2025 Winner), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Paradise (2025)
Hidden Gem: Togo
Emmy winner Julianne Nicholson has starred in films like Kinsey, Black Mass, I, Tonya, Blonde, and even the titular comedian/musician’s mother in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. On the TV side, she was recognized by many in a recurring role in Boardwalk Empire, and a pivotal moment in her career came in the form of her 2021 Emmy win for the outstanding Mare of Easttown.
She shines in Hulu’s Paradise, playing the enigmatic Sinatra, the leader of the titular community that serves as the series’ setting. Nicholson makes the character unpredictable by allowing her to have a human side as a mother and a human being dealing with grief, while not quite underscoring the ruthlessness of her decisions and leadership.
Karolina Wydra
Nominated For: Pluribus
Past Emmy History: N/A
Hidden Gem: Europa Report
Though Wydra had appeared on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and True Blood, as well as a minor role in Crazy, Stupid, Love and a starring role with Sharlto Copley in the sci-fi thriller Europa Report, Polish-American actress Karolina Wydra is finally receiving her flowers for the widely acclaimed Pluribus.
Earning a breakout nomination for Apple TV’s Pluribus, Wydra’s performance as Zosia balances mysterious allure with complex emotional depth; the layers are utterly breathtaking, including not being allowed to mirror any of co-star Rhea Seehorn’s emotional responses. It’s the kind of performance where you can’t even spoil what exactly she’s supposed to be playing without getting too much into essential plot details.
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