Emmys 2025: Supporting Actress In A Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees!

Last year, performers from just two series — The Morning Show and The Crown — dominated Emmys' Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category, gobbling up six of the seven nominations. Neither program is in the running this year (the former is between seasons and the latter is kaput), but a similar scenario is expected to play out nonetheless, this time with Severance and The White Lotus.

Our plea to voters: Consider spreading the wealth beyond those two fine shows.

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

Who She Plays: Thailand vacationer Laurie Duffy

Her Best Performance This Season: "Killer Instincts" (Season 3, Episode 7)

What We Thought About It: "When Laurie confronted Jaclyn about the betrayal, both Jaclyn and Kate turned on her for being so miserable, and Coon's shocked face let us see how deeply their words wounded her. But her face turned defiant as Laurie unloaded on them, calling Kate fake and Jaclyn vain. ... Coon then flipped a switch from drama to comedy and showed off her screwball chops as Laurie met up with Valentin and went home with his friend Aleksei for a round of athletic sex. ... Even among a stacked cast, Coon is in a class by herself." [Performer of the Week winner, April 5, 2025]

Who She Plays: Imperial Security Bureau officer Dedra Meero

Her Best Performance This Season: "Who Are You?" (Season 2, Episode 8)

What We Thought About It: "The eighth episode of Andor Season 2, which depicted the Ghorman Massacre, packed a dramatic punch, as did the performances by Gough and Kyle Soller. ... Gough showed us the toll that Dedra's ambition was starting to take on her; you believed she was truly worried when Syril fled into the crowded plaza. With Dedra's private breakdown at episode's end, Gough revealed a new layer to a complicated woman." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, May 10, 2025]

Who She Plays: Gemma Scout, Mark Scout's not-dead-after-all wife and Lumon Industries guinea pig

Her Best Performance This Season: "Chikhai Bardo" (Season 2, Episode 7)

What We Thought About It: "It turns out that Gemma has been turned into a lab rat for Lumon's severance technology, and Lachman wore Gemma's desperation on her face as she wearily entered countless rooms to perform countless menial tasks. Plus, we got to see Mark and Gemma fall in love in flashbacks, and Lachman found a vital spark inside Gemma — one that was sadly missing from her present-day scenes. At one point, Gemma nearly escaped, but Mr. Milchick stopped her, and our hearts just about broke watching Lachman collapse in sobs as Gemma found herself back inside Lumon again." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, March 1, 2025]

Who She Plays: Emergency department charge nurse Dana Evans

Her Best Performance This Season: "5:00 P.M." (Season 1, Episode 11)

What We Thought About It: It was once Dana was ambushed by an irascible patient, and her light was nearly extinguished, that LaNasa shone brightest. Dana tried to convince herself that she was OK — that she could pick herself up and continue to be the stoic mama bear her patients and her Pitt crew so desperately needed — but she was not OK, and she could no longer pretend that decades of ingratitude hadn't worn her down. As she admitted to herself (and to Robby) that she was hurt, LaNasa made those emotional wounds, and Dana's suddenly flappable spirit, as evident as the gnarly bruise under her left eye. — Ryan Schwartz

Who She Plays: Underground bunker mastermind Samantha "Sinatra" Redmond

Her Best Performance This Season: "Sinatra" (Season 1, Episode 2)

What We Thought About It: "The Mare of Easttown alum used every color in her palette to portray first Samantha's impressive confidence as a businesswoman, then her stubborn anger at her son's plight and then finally, her bottomless grief at suffering a loss that no amount of money can fix. Nicholson was mesmerizing as Samantha choked back tears and argued that time is supposed to heal all wounds, but 'time is actually making it worse, because it's taking me further away from when he was here.'" [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, Feb. 1, 2025]

Who She Plays: Mon Mothma, the esteemed senator from Chandrila (and a covert backer of the nascent rebel movement)

Her Best Performance This Season: "Harvest" (Season 2, Episode 3)

What We Thought About It: Across Season 2's early episodes, Mon juggled hosting her daughter's wedding with the plotting of a rebellion. But when Tay Kolma pulled Mon aside to voice his concern that, in funneling funds for her, he took on a greater risk than imagined, a shakedown was afoot. Luthen firmly flagged his concerns about Tay, and O'Reilly showed us the fear within Mon, that a longtime friend was a loose end to be excised. Mon proceeded to lose herself to drink and the thrum of the wedding reception — "dancing to stop from screaming," as showrunner Tony Gilroy put it — and O'Reilly invited us to spiral along with her. — Matt Webb Mitovich

Who She Plays: The ill-fated Alexandra, former British Royal and eventual Dutton wife

Her Best Performance This Season: "A Dream and a Memory" (Season 2, Episode 7)

What We Thought About It: "Schlaepfer heaved huge, relieved sobs as Alex fell into her husband's arms, communicating the character's intense surrender after a season full of tragedy, turmoil and terror. But even that was surpassed when we got to witness the grace and elegance with which she handled Alex's decision to forego surgery in order to focus on her newborn baby. As Alex's body started to fail, Schlaepfer crystallized everything we love about the character — her wit, her grit, her profound and unwavering devotion — as she denied the doctors' requests, speaking quietly but resolutely as she held her tiny son to her chest." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, April 12, 2025]

Who She Plays: Perpetually sunny resort guest Chelsea

Her Best Performance This Season: "Amor Fati" (Season 3, Episode 8)

What We Thought About It: "Wood was practically glowing in this week's finale as Chelsea reunited with her beloved man — and she nearly levitated with happiness when Rick told Chelsea he planned to spend the rest of their lives together. Alas, the rest of their lives wasn't very long, and Wood let us see Chelsea's desperation as she begged Rick not to seek revenge against Jim... and then let us see Chelsea's heartbreak as she took a fatal bullet in the crossfire." [Performer of the Week Honorable Mention, April 12, 2025]