Before voting for the Emmy winners begins Aug. 17, Television Academy members are encouraged to watch all of the nominees’ episode submissions. While the guest stars’ choices in drama and comedy were publicly available on the nominating ballots, Gold Derby can now share supporting acting episode submissions.
Read on for everything to know about the Emmy episode submissions for Best Drama Supporting Actress.
Taylor Dearden (The Pitt)
Episode: “5:00 P.M.”
Character: Dr. Mel King
Recap: The arrival of ICE agents has the trauma center’s staff on edge. Meanwhile, Mel wrestles with her mixed feelings about her autistic sister Becca’s life choices.
Emmy history: This is Dearden’s first nomination.
Fiona Dourif (The Pitt)
Episode: “5:00 P.M.”
Character: Dr. Cassie McKay
Recap: Busy with another case, Cassie isn’t present for the passing of Roxie, the terminal cancer patient that she’s befriended.
Emmy history: This is Dourif’s first nomination.
Allison Janney (The Diplomat)
Episode: “Amagansett”
Character: President Grace Penn
Recap: Kate seeks to help Grace deal with allegations that could result in her impeachment, as the president seeks to mend relations with the U.K.
Emmy history: This is Janney’s 16th career nomination; she was nominated for and won two Best Drama Supporting Actress statuettes in 2000 and 2001 for The West Wing, and received four nominations for Best Drama Actress for the same series in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006, winning in 2002 and 2004. She was nominated for three Best Comedy Supporting Actress statuettes for Mom in 2014, 2015, and 2016, winning that category in 2014 and 2015, and received three nominations for Best Comedy Actress for the same series in 2017, 2018, and 2021. Additionally, she received three nominations for Best Drama Guest Actress for Masters of Sex in 2014, 2015, and 2016, winning in 2014.
Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
Episode: “1:00 P.M.”
Character: Dana Evans
Recap: The trauma center deals with issues related to overcrowding, as well as cases involving a heart attack, suspected schizophrenia, and mercury poisoning.
Emmy history: This is LaNasa’s second nomination; she was nominated for and won Best Drama Supporting Actress in 2025.
Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt)
Episode: “9:00 P.M.”
Character: Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi
Recap: Baran tells Robby about her history with seizures, and later argues with him over her elevation to senior attending. Informed that he plans to block that appointment, she leaves the trauma center and breaks down in tears.
Emmy history: This is Moafi’s first nomination.
Julianne Nicholson (Paradise)
Episode: “Exodus”
Character: Sinatra Redmond
Recap: Redmond’s past participation with Link’s AI quantum supercomputer is revealed. In the present day, she learns that the machine has predicted the date of her death.
Emmy history: This is Nicholson’s fourth career nomination; she was nominated for and won Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actress for Mare of Easttown in 2021, and was nominated for and won Best Comedy Guest Actress for Hacks in 2025. She was previously nominated for Best Drama Supporting Actress for Paradise in 2025.
Karolina Wydra (Pluribus)
Episode: “Charm Offensive”
Character: Zosia
Recap: Zosia reveals key details about the Others to Carol, and the two consummate their attraction.
Emmy history: This is Wydra’s first nomination.
