At the bottom of this page are IndieWire Deputy TV Editor Ben Travers’ predictions for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. This article will be updated throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2021 race. Voting for the 2021 Emmys was held from June 17 through June 28 (with polls closing at 10 p.m. PT). Emmy nominations were announced Tuesday, July 13. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be given out Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12. The 73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Sunday, September 19. CBS is broadcasting the ceremony.
The State of the Race
“Ted Lasso” features a strong overall ensemble, which is well-represented across the 2021 Emmy nominations. The likes of Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, and Juno Temple are all nominated elsewhere (as is casting director Theo Park), but a whopping four nominees are competing against each other in the Best Supporting Actor race: Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, and Nick Mohammed make up half the field in a category that’s eight names deep.
Considering “Ted Lasso” is the favorite in most Comedy categories, the question of “Who will win the Best Supporting Actor Emmy?” splits into a two-parter:
“OK, OK, enough! Which one will win?” Short answer: Brett Goldstein. While Nick Mohammed may have been the fan favorite in Season 1, Jeremy Swift’s Higgins is infinitely lovable, and Brendan Hunt gets extra credit as a series’ co-creator, Goldstein’s Season 2 arc — which shouldn’t technically be a factor yet can’t help but influence voters since it’s airing during voting — is just the kind of standout element TV Academy members may need to make their choice easier. Plus, he’s a writer. And a charming fellow. Again, those shouldn’t be part of the conversation, but they certainly are in a race this tight. Power Rankings: Will Win: Brett Goldstein, “Ted Lasso” Could Win: Kenan Thompson or Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live” Should Win: Brett Goldstein, “Ted Lasso” Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
