Emmys 2021: Supporting Actress In A Limited Series — Our Dream Nominees

By Team TVLine June 10, 2021 9:30 am EST

Courtesy of Disney+; HBO; Netflix

This year's limited series logjam is causing congestion well beyond Emmy's lead acting races. The supporting categories are just as crowded, so much so that we had to make some painful cuts on the Dream Emmy front.

In any other year, Jean Smart's performance as Kate Winslet's spitfire of a mother in HBO's Mare of Easttown would have undoubtedly made our wish list for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. But in 2021? There's no room at the inn! (We recognized Smart in the Lead Actress in a Comedy contest for her revelatory Hacks work, so we'll sleep just fine tonight, thank you very much.)

Scroll through the list below to review all seven 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, 2021 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 17-28, and unveiled on July 13. The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 on CBS.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

JESSIE BUCKLEY, FARGO

Courtesy of FX

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: FX's crime anthology always serves up a Midwestern buffet of top-notch performances, but Season 4 belonged to Buckley, who made us giggle and then made us shiver as bloodthirsty nurse Oraetta Mayflower. Wrapping up her murderous intentions in a sweet, aw-shucks façade, Oraetta was more Anton Chigurh than Marge Gunderson, and Buckley's cheerfully eccentric work earned her a spot among Fargo's most unforgettable characters yet.

KATHRYN HAHN, WANDAVISION

Courtesy of Disney+

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Just as Hahn's nosy neighbor Agnes predicted in WandaVision's premiere, the Disney+ series was a gas, thanks in large part to Hahn's scene-stealing work as Wanda's fellow mischief-maker. Yes, Hahn gifted us with that winking meme, but her limitless comedic skill made Agnes a standout of every episode, no matter the decade. And when Agnes was at last revealed to be the sorceress Agatha Harkness, Hahn seemed to revel in her character's villainous behavior, creating an adversary for Wanda who was as fun to watch as she was formidable to battle.

KEELEY HAWES, IT'S A SIN

Courtesy of HBO Max

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: The AIDS epidemic made many villains as well as heroes, and Hawes masterfully embodied the villainous side as suburban mom Valerie Tozer, whose son Ritchie was dying of the disease. Trying to put on a happy face while reinforcing the era's rampant homophobia, Valerie kept Ritchie's closest friends away from him during his final days, and Hawes shined in the miniseries' finale, putting an unmistakably human face on some unforgivable behavior.

MARIELLE HELLER, THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT

Courtesy of Netflix

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: While we were overjoyed to see the tragically orphaned Beth Harmon be adopted, "To what end?" we had to wonder, since Heller's Alma Wheatley and husband Allston treated the teen with, at best, indifference. After Allston bailed and Beth matured into a chess prodigy, Heller doled out precious increments of curious interest (if not maternal love), but it endeared Alma enough to us that her unchecked alcoholism grew worrisome. Alma was far from a perfect parent, but as portrayed by Heller, she was someone we definitely wanted in Beth's corner.

T'NIA MILLER, THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR

Courtesy of Netflix

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: From the moment Victoria Pedretti's Dani arrived at Bly Manor, Miller exuded a palpable warmth as the titular estate's housekeeper, Hannah Grose. But as the Netflix horror-drama played out, Hannah's ghost story became the most tragic of all as Miller infused her character with a profound longing, particularly for a future with Bly's resident chef, Owen. As Hannah navigated her own dizzying, disorienting memories throughout Episode 5 — then ultimately discovered her life had been cut short — the actress conveyed a sense of regret so acute, we could hardly stand to watch as her hope was snuffed out.

JULIANNE NICHOLSON, MARE OF EASTTOWN

Courtesy of HBO

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: After lying low through Mare of Easttown's first six episodes, Nicholson blew the roof off the joint in the HBO whodunit's finale, delivering one searing tour-de-force after another. The Masters of Sex actress' depiction of a mother in crisis (after — SPOILER ALERT! — her son was arrested for murder) was so authentically raw and heartbreaking, it took our breath away.

WERUCHE OPIA, I MAY DESTROY YOU