The nominees are: The Good Wife's Dylan Baker; Masters of Sex's Beau Bridges; House of Cards' Reg E. Cathey; Downton Abbey's Paul Giamatti; Mad Men's Robert Morse; and Scandal's Joe Morton.
1. BEAU BRIDGES - MASTERS OF SEX (SHOWTIME)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "MANHIGH"
Bridges is an Emmy favorite with three wins and more than a dozen nominations. He's the frontrunner in this race though because of how wonderful he is on the Showtime drama. The series only really needs to tell the story of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson but he kept stealing focus as university provost Barton Scully who's struggling in his personal life and in his marriage. It was a stunning piece of subtle acting that was a pleasure to watch every week. Lately, Bridges likes to go big and broad - just look at his work on The Millers. But here, it's the exact opposite which is a very pleasant surprise.
2. JOE MORTON - SCANDAL (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER"
It's always so rewarding when a veteran character actor finds that role that truly allows them to dig deep and unearth new acting depths. It seemed like every episode in the show's third season Morton was being given an epic monologue that he always delivered with such conviction. It was amazing to watch every week. His episode allows him that moment but it also further illuminates his relationship with his daughter before the season later went off the rails. A great performance that deserved the nomination and may be enough to win.
3. ROBERT MORSE - MAD MEN (AMC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "WATERLOO"
It's still so confusing why Morse is allowed to compete in this category since he's a contracted regular on Mad Men. Furthermore, the first half of Season 7 was a much more active season for him which then ended in a big way. In other years, it would seem like he didn't deserve to win. This year, however, he finally got to sing and dance. That was a highlight of the season and may be just fresh enough in the minds of voters to finally give him the trophy this year.
4. PAUL GIAMATTI - DOWNTON ABBEY (PBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "EPISODE EIGHT"
I have no clue what Giamatti did on Downton Abbey this season. But he's Paul Giamatti! He's the kind of movie star this category loves to recognize because they did something on TV. Plus he's an Emmy winner elsewhere. I think the top three are more deserving but he could be a big spoiler in the race.
5. REG E. CATHEY - HOUSE OF CARDS (NETFLIX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHAPTER 22"
Much like Morton, it's nice seeing a respected character actor get his dues and recognition from the academy. However, he had one good episode on this season of House of Cards - and that of course is his episode submission. But I just don't feel compelled by him enough to think what he did this year deserves a win.
6. DYLAN BAKER - THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "TYING THE KNOT"
I really enjoy whenever Baker pops up on The Good Wife. That's such a fun character that could easily be overused but hasn't quite reached that point yet. His one episode this season wasn't really about him at all though. He was a nice little distraction but he didn't really do anything.
1. BEAU BRIDGES - MASTERS OF SEX (SHOWTIME)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "MANHIGH"
Bridges is an Emmy favorite with three wins and more than a dozen nominations. He's the frontrunner in this race though because of how wonderful he is on the Showtime drama. The series only really needs to tell the story of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson but he kept stealing focus as university provost Barton Scully who's struggling in his personal life and in his marriage. It was a stunning piece of subtle acting that was a pleasure to watch every week. Lately, Bridges likes to go big and broad - just look at his work on The Millers. But here, it's the exact opposite which is a very pleasant surprise.
2. JOE MORTON - SCANDAL (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER"
It's always so rewarding when a veteran character actor finds that role that truly allows them to dig deep and unearth new acting depths. It seemed like every episode in the show's third season Morton was being given an epic monologue that he always delivered with such conviction. It was amazing to watch every week. His episode allows him that moment but it also further illuminates his relationship with his daughter before the season later went off the rails. A great performance that deserved the nomination and may be enough to win.
3. ROBERT MORSE - MAD MEN (AMC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "WATERLOO"
It's still so confusing why Morse is allowed to compete in this category since he's a contracted regular on Mad Men. Furthermore, the first half of Season 7 was a much more active season for him which then ended in a big way. In other years, it would seem like he didn't deserve to win. This year, however, he finally got to sing and dance. That was a highlight of the season and may be just fresh enough in the minds of voters to finally give him the trophy this year.
4. PAUL GIAMATTI - DOWNTON ABBEY (PBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "EPISODE EIGHT"
I have no clue what Giamatti did on Downton Abbey this season. But he's Paul Giamatti! He's the kind of movie star this category loves to recognize because they did something on TV. Plus he's an Emmy winner elsewhere. I think the top three are more deserving but he could be a big spoiler in the race.
5. REG E. CATHEY - HOUSE OF CARDS (NETFLIX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHAPTER 22"
Much like Morton, it's nice seeing a respected character actor get his dues and recognition from the academy. However, he had one good episode on this season of House of Cards - and that of course is his episode submission. But I just don't feel compelled by him enough to think what he did this year deserves a win.
6. DYLAN BAKER - THE GOOD WIFE (CBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "TYING THE KNOT"
I really enjoy whenever Baker pops up on The Good Wife. That's such a fun character that could easily be overused but hasn't quite reached that point yet. His one episode this season wasn't really about him at all though. He was a nice little distraction but he didn't really do anything.
