Emmys 2025: Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees!

Shrinking's deep bench of male supporting players — a roster that includes Harrison Ford, Michael Urie and Brett Goldstein — found themselves completely shut out at last year's Emmys. We suspect — no, make that we hope — the Academy will right that egregious wrong this year.

The 2025 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series field is insanely competitive, however. To wit: Our Dream Emmy short list only has room for two of the three aforementioned scene-stealers from the Apple TV+ comedy.

Scroll down to check out all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren't predictions; they're wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a "Hell, yes!," "Um, no" or "How could you leave off so-and-so?!"

For the record, 2025 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 12-23, and unveiled on July 15. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 14, on CBS.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees

Who He Plays: Grade-A college d-bag Peter

His Best Performance This Season: "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" (Season 1, Episode 5)

What We Thought About It: Peter is self-absorbed. Manipulative. Toxic. Yet DiMarco kept us from writing off the character as a lost cause. As he opened up to girl-on-the-side Carmen while playing Slut Slayer: Berlin, his portrayer showed us glimmer after glimmer of the sweet guy that he could be if only he'd outgrow his obnoxious man-child phase. And did anyone not go weak-kneed when he fixed Carmen with that look — you know the one — and called her special? Wait, were we as gaslit as she was? Either way, kudos to DiMarco for constantly keeping us wondering how we feel — and should feel — about Peter. — Charlie Mason

Who He Plays: Good-hearted and well-intentioned talent manager Jimmy LuSaque Jr.  

His Best Performance This Season: "A Slippery Slope" (Season 4, Episode 9)

What We Thought About It: The straight man to... whatever the heck Kayla is, Downs continuously shined as Jimmy, a manager often pushed to his limits by his wacky co-manager and egotistical clients. Watching the actor work between Meg Stalter and Julianne Nicholson brought out his season's best work, including one particular scene where Kayla and Jimmy attempted to revive a blitzed Dance Mom with cocaine so she could perform on Deborah's show. In fact, Downs' delivery of, "Nobody's boofing anybody!" is still living rent-free in our brains, a perfect example of the tone and talent the actor brings to the table. — Nick Caruso

Who He Plays: Cantankerous therapist (but secret big softie) Paul Rhoades

His Best Performance This Season: "The Last Thanksgiving" (Season 2, Episode 12)

What We Thought About It: "While the gang shared what they were thankful for during Thanksgiving, Paul broke his typical norm to tell his friends and colleagues that he was done hiding his 'failed, fragile body' from them. Ford grew visibly emotional, employing deep, sporadic breathing and a shaky voice as his character came clean. With teary eyes, Paul admitted he was a 'lucky guy' and that he knew he'd make it through since he had people to lean on. Ford sold the heaviness of Paul's admission like the legend he is, and by the time he reclaimed his seat, there wasn't a dry eye in the house." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, Dec. 28, 2024]

Who He Plays: Baby Billy Freeman, the Gemstone siblings' eccentric uncle

His Best Performance This Season: "For Jealousy Is the Rage of a Man" (Season 4, Episode 7)

What We Thought About It: Earlier this spring, HBO viewers could experience the full range of Goggins' talents when new White Lotus episodes (where he played moody vacationer Rick) would roll right into new Gemstones outings, reminding us that Goggins' comedic and dramatic capabilities are equally robust. Throughout Gemstones' final season, there was no scene Goggins didn't elevate with his impossible-to-replicate line readings and herky-jerky physicality. Episode 7 put all of Baby Billy's most hilarious traits on display, particularly when he urged Jesse and Judy to fund Teenjus reshoots. "I ain't askin' for the world here. I'm just askin' for an eight ball and two million dollars!" he cried — a ridiculous request only made more entertaining by Goggins' desperate delivery. — Rebecca Luther

Who He Plays: "Teen" aka Billy Maximoff aka Wiccan

His Best Performance This Season: "Familiar by Thy Side" (Season 1, Episode 6)

What We Thought About It: "As mild-mannered bar mitzvah boy William Kaplan, Locke had us feeling we were watching a complete stranger, but with just a hint of the character's impossible destiny. Then, after the life-changing car crash, you could not help but root for William to solve the puzzle of his new identity. ... But as has been the case all season long, Locke really sparked opposite Kathryn Hahn — first, as Billy Maximoff playfully teased 'Agnes' about her chosen cop persona, but especially when Billy and Agatha confronted each other back on the Road, about who they are and what they plan to do about their adversarial dynamic." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, Oct. 19, 2024]

Who He Plays: Richie, grump with a heart of gold

His Best Performance This Season: "Violet" (Season 3, Episode 4)

What We Thought About It: "[Richie's] not done growing yet, and Moss-Bachrach tugged on our heartstrings in Season 3's fourth episode as Richie reckoned with his ex-wife Tiff getting remarried. Moss-Bachrach brought out Richie's tender side as he tucked his daughter into bed, promising her a hundred candles for her birthday. But Richie's guard went back up as Tiff's fiancé Frank sought his blessing, with Moss-Bachrach's face tightening in anger as he tried to keep his cool. ... Richie has come a long way, but he still has a long way to go, and Moss-Bachrach has made every step of his journey utterly fascinating and ultimately inspiring." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, June 29, 2024]

Who He Plays: Brian, recovering narcissist and Jimmy's best friend

His Best Performance This Season: "In a Lonely Place" (Season 2, Episode 6)

What We Thought About It: "The actor's physicality had us in stitches as his character Brian attempted to explain to Alice why he'd been privately meeting with the man who killed her mother. Urie harnessed his character's twitchy anxiety as he unleashed a 90-second-plus hyperactive monologue that rambled (in a good way!) about having a baby, Louis' sad life and the darkness of Requiem for a Dream. (Also, his Brett Goldstein impression? A+.) Later, the actor was able to meet the energy of co-stars Lukita Maxwell and Goldstein, exuding a sweet softness as the trio reflected on the past and shared stories." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, Nov. 16, 2024]

Who He Plays: Abbott Elementary teacher Gregory

His Best Performance This Season: "Girard Creek" (Season 4, Episode 12)

What We Thought About It: "Gregory's peculiar and simplistic food preferences are well known on Abbott Elementary, so when the teacher was presented with frou-frou appetizers during this week's episode, his reaction was priceless. Williams dug into the most ridiculously hilarious side of Gregory, who treated ahi tuna and deviled quail eggs like dangerous enemies. When a waiter brought over shrimp ceviche in watermelon cups, Williams let loose as Gregory was sent over the edge, throwing down his napkin of food and declaring himself 'a freak.' And that was before he was offered sea urchin and comically dodged the waiter, running away like a flailing child." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, Feb. 1, 2025]