3:40 PM PDT, August 20, 2013
The 2013 Emmys are closing in, and ET is breaking down your list of contenders! This week, we turn our attention to the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama category.
Along with the Starks, and "Khaleesi" Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister -- played by Peter Dinklage -- has become one of the far-and-away Game of Thrones fan-favorites.
If there's one thing Game of Thrones has come to be known for, it's an absolute willingness to suddenly and abruptly kill off the most beloved characters. This undoubtedly has anxious Thrones viewers (who choose not to read the books) worried about the fate of the most conflicted and cunning Lannister.
While this compelling attachment Dinklage has cultivated might not do him well in the Thrones universe, it certainly will during Emmy season, where he is already an early favorite to win his second Supporting Actor statuette on three nominations for the fantasy series.
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Peter Dinklage - 'Game of Thrones'
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The 2013 Emmys are closing in, and ET is breaking down your list of contenders! This week, we turn our attention to the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama category.
Along with the Starks, and "Khaleesi" Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister -- played by Peter Dinklage -- has become one of the far-and-away Game of Thrones fan-favorites.
If there's one thing Game of Thrones has come to be known for, it's an absolute willingness to suddenly and abruptly kill off the most beloved characters. This undoubtedly has anxious Thrones viewers (who choose not to read the books) worried about the fate of the most conflicted and cunning Lannister.
While this compelling attachment Dinklage has cultivated might not do him well in the Thrones universe, it certainly will during Emmy season, where he is already an early favorite to win his second Supporting Actor statuette on three nominations for the fantasy series.
Along with the Starks, and "Khaleesi" Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister -- played by Peter Dinklage -- has become one of the far-and-away Game of Thrones fan-favorites.
If there's one thing Game of Thrones has come to be known for, it's an absolute willingness to suddenly and abruptly kill off the most beloved characters. This undoubtedly has anxious Thrones viewers (who choose not to read the books) worried about the fate of the most conflicted and cunning Lannister.
While this compelling attachment Dinklage has cultivated might not do him well in the Thrones universe, it certainly will during Emmy season, where he is already an early favorite to win his second Supporting Actor statuette on three nominations for the fantasy series.
Aaron Paul - 'Breaking Bad'
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Although featured in movies such as Mission: Impossible III and The Last House on the Left, and a role on HBO series Big Love, Breaking Bad has been somewhat of a name-maker for Aaron Paul.
Playing the burn-out Jesse Pinkman has landed Paul two Emmys on three nominations as a supporting actor, and he has locked up another nod this Emmy season.
Given Paul's track record, along with the hype surrounding the AMC series' final season, it stands to reason that another Emmy might be awaiting him this fall.
Playing the burn-out Jesse Pinkman has landed Paul two Emmys on three nominations as a supporting actor, and he has locked up another nod this Emmy season.
Given Paul's track record, along with the hype surrounding the AMC series' final season, it stands to reason that another Emmy might be awaiting him this fall.
Mandy Patinkin - 'Homeland'
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While most of the Homeland craze has been directed towards the show's leads, Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, one unsung hero of the Showtime series has been Mandy Patinkin.
Patinkin, who earned his sole Emmy in 1995 for Chicago Hope, did not personally receive an Emmy nod for Homeland last year, during the show's Emmy debut, during which it won six of its nine nominations.
Given the continued buzz of the series and his character Saul's significant development during the hit second season of the program, don't be surprised if Mandy Patinkin is part of another Emmy clean-up for Homeland this fall.
Patinkin, who earned his sole Emmy in 1995 for Chicago Hope, did not personally receive an Emmy nod for Homeland last year, during the show's Emmy debut, during which it won six of its nine nominations.
Given the continued buzz of the series and his character Saul's significant development during the hit second season of the program, don't be surprised if Mandy Patinkin is part of another Emmy clean-up for Homeland this fall.
Jim Carter - 'Downton Abbey'
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Despite a long career in TV and film, Downton Abbey has been Jim Carter's first project to garner significant award season attention (save for Shakespeare in Love in 1998).
Carter's role as Downton's faithful butler has translated now to two Emmy nominations.
Pulling off a win in the Supporting Actor in a Drama category might be difficult, given the pedigree of his competitors -- fan favorites such as Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), and Mandy Patinkin (Homeland).
Given Carter's own new-found notoriety however, like the surprise hit that his PBS series became, it'd be smart not to rule out an upset in this category.
Carter's role as Downton's faithful butler has translated now to two Emmy nominations.
Pulling off a win in the Supporting Actor in a Drama category might be difficult, given the pedigree of his competitors -- fan favorites such as Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), and Mandy Patinkin (Homeland).
Given Carter's own new-found notoriety however, like the surprise hit that his PBS series became, it'd be smart not to rule out an upset in this category.
Jonathan Banks - 'Breaking Bad'
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Jonathan Banks' first, and prior-to-now last Emmy nomination, was for CBS' Wiseguy in 1989.
While his role as Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad finds himself off the force, and on the other side of the law, it has made a big enough impact to once again earn Banks Emmy recognition.
With the huge success of the series and his strong performances last season, there's a good chance that being "bad" may pay off for the 66-year-old actor this time around.
While his role as Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad finds himself off the force, and on the other side of the law, it has made a big enough impact to once again earn Banks Emmy recognition.
With the huge success of the series and his strong performances last season, there's a good chance that being "bad" may pay off for the 66-year-old actor this time around.
Bobby Cannavale - 'Boardwalk Empire'
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When Bobby Cannavale joined Boardwalk Empire, the HBO series had already earned itself quite a reputation.
Led by Steve Buscemi, the acclaimed program has earned several Emmys and even more nominations. With this nod, Cannavale can now count himself among the many recognized for his tenure in the seedy underbelly of Atlantic City.
But whether or not Cannavale can win remains to be seen. Indeed, despite consecutive nominations, Buscemi himself is still without a Lead Actor Emmy.
Cannavale does have an Emmy of his own, which he earned as a guest actor on Will and Grace, but this nomination marks his first as a series regular in a supporting role.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Drama
Led by Steve Buscemi, the acclaimed program has earned several Emmys and even more nominations. With this nod, Cannavale can now count himself among the many recognized for his tenure in the seedy underbelly of Atlantic City.
But whether or not Cannavale can win remains to be seen. Indeed, despite consecutive nominations, Buscemi himself is still without a Lead Actor Emmy.
Cannavale does have an Emmy of his own, which he earned as a guest actor on Will and Grace, but this nomination marks his first as a series regular in a supporting role.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Drama