Emmys: 20 Supporting Actors Who Stole the Show

Clockwise from top left: Billy Crudup, Janelle James, Tadanobu Asano, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Michael Cyril Creighton, Sandra Oh, Luke Macfarlane, Aja Naomi King and Riley Keough.

Courtesy of Apple TV+ (4); Courtesy of ABC; Courtesy of HBO; Patrick Habron/Hulu; Courtesy of Disney; Katie Yu/FX

Tadanobu Asano

Shōgun (FX on Hulu)

The ways in which I’m like my character I’m like Kashigi Yabushige in the sense that he goes “all out” during every interaction on the show. Similarly, when I’m performing, I just go for it.

And the ways that I’m not The fact that I’m not going to boil someone alive in real life — we are definitely not the same in that way.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck Woody Harrelson.

The show on which I’d like to guest star The cooking show with Paris Hilton! 

Sarayu Blue 

Expats (Prime video)

The ways in which I am like my character We don’t have many similarities, but I’d say our sarcastic humor? My husband says the one moment he sees me in Hilary is in episode four, when she realizes she miscalculated her mother’s arrival date. It makes me laugh because it’s so true. The whole, “Shit, shit, shit,” of it is very me.

The scene that kept me up at night The hospital scene with Hilary’s father, when she finally lets it all out. It’s one of the most raw, vulnerable moments for her, and for me.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck Sandra Oh. I met her at an event recently and she spoke to me as though she knew me. It was likely because she’s so gracious, because I absolutely would’ve remembered if I’d met her before. I’ve been mesmerized by her since the second I first saw her light up a screen.

Michael Cera

Life & Beth (Hulu)

The scene that kept me up at night The scene where I’m diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. I didn’t want this to be played for melodrama or be over-the-top. It’s a diagnosis that countless people get every day, people of all ages and at all junctures of life, and what I wanted us to concentrate on was how it can be a helpful diagnosis to receive, to understand yourself, or your loved one, better, and begin to work toward things in a different and more efficient way.

What my character’s spinoff would look like It would be essentially a farm-to-table gardening/cooking show.

Who should play me in a biopic Milo Machado-Graner [the kid in Anatomy of a Fall].

Carl Clemons-Hopkins 

Hacks (HBO/MAX)

The ways in which I’m like my character We share many physical traits, and we both have brilliant, beautiful, fun-loving mothers.

And the ways I’m not Pretty much every way imaginable. Love him, but I’m a different bitch.

What my character’s spinoff would look like Tales of an international real estate mogul. Hijinks, sexy mischief, yachts on the Mediterranean.

The show I never missed as a teen The Practice.

Who should play me in a biopic [Actor has yet to be born.]

Common 

Silo (Apple TV+)

The ways in which I’m like my character My character’s name is Robert Sims. When he believes something, he believes it, and he’s committed to it and will go to whatever heights because of his beliefs and is willing to sacrifice a lot of things. When I believe in something, I’m going to give it my whole heart and soul and be committed to it. We also both care about our families, and he believes what he’s doing is for the people, and I really believe that that’s me at the core. I want to do things that really uplift people.

The co-star I’d call to bail me out of jail I would call Tim Robbins. He’s an advocate for the people and he does real work with incarcerated people. He doesn’t just let things that society is saying or the news is reporting just be law, and that means he would be adamant about bailing me out, because you know I wouldn’t be in there without a real purpose. Some of my other co-stars are very busy. Rebecca [Ferguson] is probably doing Dune 3 or something.

The show on which I’d love to guest star Saturday Night Live. And also The Morning Show because they have a great cast. I actually like Fargo, too, but I would like to be a lead in that, so let’s say Saturday Night Live. It would be amazing to be on SNL and perform music, too. Y’all hear me out there, right?

Michael Cyril Creighton 

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

The ways in which I’m like my character Like Howard Morris, I love sweaters and animals. I have terrific bone structure and crave the acceptance of my neighbors and peers with every fiber of my being. We’re both very persistent and very particular.

And the ways I’m not My mood swings are only half as extreme as Howard’s. Howard’s acting skills are lacking and I would humbly say I’m a very proficient actor, with occasional moments of earth-shattering excellence. Additionally, Howard names his cat Evelyn, whereas I have a dog named Sharon.

What my character’s spinoff would look like Howard yodeling his way through Europe, solving mysteries by using his expertise in library science to crack cases. It would feel noir and campy. It could be animated.

Billy Crudup 

The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

The ways in which I’m like my character I don’t feel that I’m anything like Cory, except we can both be pompous jackasses!

And the ways I’m not He has better hair. He has more expensive clothes. He’s extraordinarily astute and can entertain many ideas at the same time. He doesn’t typically buy into the drama of life. He can multitask at a very high level. He sings.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck Jason Bateman, who is surprisingly shorter than you would think. 

Dakota Fanning

Ripley (Netflix)

The scene that kept me up at night Any scene where I had to speak fully in Italian with Italian actors! I would pop out of bed and say the lines just one more time on the nights leading up to shooting them. I wanted to speak quickly, and as fluently as possible, so I just practiced and practiced.

What my character’s spinoff would look like I have never thought about that! Does Marge keep traveling? She says she thinks she’s going home to Minnesota at the end of it all, but I bet she would get back out there after a little time in her small town.

The show on which I’d love to guest star The time has run out for this dream, but Succession. 

Janelle James 

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

The ways in which I’m like my character I’m a hustler baby and I like clothes. Oh, and being beautiful.

What my character’s spinoff would look like Ava runs an MLM [multi-level marketing] scheme and/or cult for other wannabe fabulous bitches.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck The Golden Bachelor.

Who should play me in a biopic Ari Lennox and, according to the internet, Jaime Pressly. 

Joe Keery

Fargo (FX on Hulu)

The scene that kept me up at night The first day of work always keeps me up. It was the scene with Jon [Hamm] and Sam [Spruell] at Tillman Ranch right before my character Gator gets his wrist broken.

The show on which I’d love to guest star Survivor.

The show I never missed as a teen Even Stevens.

Who should play me in a biopic Are they holding an open call? Do I need to do an accent for the tape?

Riley Keough

Under the Bridge (Hulu)

The ways in which I’m like my character The part of her that’s able to be very empathetic and have conversations that can be uncomfortable as a means to find a more whole understanding of human beings and of people’s actions, I relate to.

And the ways I’m not I am not as good of a writer as she is.

The show I never missed as a teen Sex and the City, and I loved Bewitched.

Who should play me in a biopic Odessa Young. 

Aja Naomi King 

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

The scene that kept me up at night In episode six, there was this large-scale protest scene that is a pivotal moment in my character’s storyline. So much was leading up to this protest that was Harriet’s idea, and it is something that she passionately advocated for even though it caused tension not only in her marriage but also in her friendship with Elizabeth [Brie Larson]. The actual act of performing this scene, and I still get chills thinking about it, meant so much to me because I could see it in my head. I wanted to convey so much with very little or no language, and I knew what I wanted it to feel like. That the vulnerability and fear and irrepressible desire to be seen and heard would somehow show through in my body language and facial expression, that you could read the years of her being entirely fed up and not willing to take it anymore, that somehow all that lived history and an almost desperate desire to fight would be clear with just a look.

The show on which I’d like to guest star I would pay good money to guest star on Abbott Elementary. The show is brilliant and every single actor on it is amazing.

Luke Macfarlane

Platonic (Apple TV+)

The ways in which I’m like my character Charlie, like me, is a family man. I’m raising a daughter in Los Angeles.

And the ways I’m not I have never been a particularly jealous person. Charlie is rocked by his wife’s [Rose Byrne] friendship with Will [Seth Rogen].

The scene that kept me up at night I had to do the Coyote Ugly dance with Seth on his bar. Seth was Gene Kelly. I was not. I was working with our choreographer leading up to the day and I just knew, this is not sticking.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck I saw Yo-Yo Ma in West L.A. and asked him to sign some sheet music I had and stammered out, “I play cello, too.” He was gracious.

Cynthia Nixon

And Just Like That (HBO/MAX)/The Gilded Age (HBO/MAX) 

The scene that kept me up at night The scenes that keep me up at night are the ones in which I have to cry. I am a pretty emotional performer, but still when I read in the script that my character is expected to cry and I know that big old camera is going to be in my face, I am tortured.

The show on which I’d love to guest star Only Murders in the Building.

Who should play me in a biopic Alison Pill. Dakota Fanning.

Sandra Oh 

The Sympathizer (HBO)

The ways in which I’m like my character A liberated and sexually free lady pushing against authority.

And the ways I’m not How free is any woman?

What my character’s spinoff would look like Ask Viet Thanh Nguyen — he’s writing a third book.

Who should play me in a biopic Bowen Yang.

Busy Philipps 

Girls5eva (Netflix)

The ways I’m not like my character Unlike Summer, I’m a person who has a lot of confidence in what makes me unique and have always been very firmly rooted in who I am in my core. Also, I’ve never had hair extensions.

What my character’s spinoff would look like RHONY.

The co-star I’d call to bail me out of jail Paula Pell.

Who should play me in a biopic Reneé Rapp, obviously!

Kali Reis 

True Detective (HBO/MAX)

The ways in which I’m like my character I relate to my character, Navarro, in a few ways and was very intrigued by the ways where we are so different. Being from a mixed background of Wampanoag and Cape Verdean, I immediately related to the lack of full acceptance by her own community. Navarro’s true strength is in her vulnerability, and I’ve found so much healing personally in being vulnerable in telling my story. She also has this insatiable craving to fight for justice and what’s right — even when it means people won’t understand her motives. She and I are natural protectors. Navarro is highly intuitive and goes with her gut feeling and intuition instead of always thinking in the practical. Navarro enjoys her own company and is a “lone wolf,” as am I.

What my character’s spinoff would look like I’ve built a whole backstory, and I would love to do a prequel followed by a “what if Navarro is alive” spinoff dramedy where Danvers and Navarro go on vacation.

Who would play me in a biopic Zendaya.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez 

Loot (Apple TV+)

The scene that kept me up at night The ones O-T Fagbenle and I shared. Romance is one thing, and chemistry is another. Thank goodness O-T and I have outstanding chemistry on and off set, but that still made me quite nervous because I’m an overachiever and I always wanted to make sure I was giving as much to him as he was giving me to me.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck Leonardo DiCaprio. I saw him sitting at a table, not too far across from me, and I didn’t even know how to go up and say hello to him, even though I’ve met him before. I’m still in awe that I’m now sharing spaces with him.

The shows I never missed as a teen Degrassi, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and X-Men.

JB Smoove

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO/MAX)

The ways in which I’m like my character If Leon is nothing else, he’s resourceful. He would use a funnel to make funnel cake. That’s not what a funnel is for, but if you poured that batter through that funnel, you could use it to perfectly shape a funnel cake! Leon can make sense where there seemingly is none. Leon is the type of person who would thrive in a zombie apocalypse. He’s the MacGyver of surviving, and I like to think that’s who I am. In real life, I’m an undeterred problem-solver; I see answers where other people see questions.

And the ways I’m not Leon is reckless as hell. Leon leaps before checking to see how high. He keeps it fast and loose. That’s not necessarily a bad quality, because sometimes with high risks come high rewards. On the other hand, sometimes high risks can get you no rewards and fucked up!

Who should play me in a biopic That’s easy … me! First of all, it ain’t easy being me! Secondly, I look just like me! And now that Curb is over, I happen to have an opening in my schedule!

Russell Tovey 

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX)

The ways in which I’m not like my character I’d like to think of myself as thoughtful, kind and sensitive to other people’s feelings — John is a sex-addicted narcissist who tramples on all those around him, putting his own needs above all others’. I am fairly confident this wouldn’t be how people describe me.

The last celebrity who had me starstruck I went a bit giddy around Demi Moore, for sure, and Gus Van Sant — we went to the Whitney Museum together to look at art, an experience I’ll always remember.

The show on which I’d like to guest star The Bear. 

This story first appeared in the May 29 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.