Before voting for the Emmy winners begins Aug. 17, Television Academy members are encouraged to watch all of the nominees’ episode submissions. While the lead and supporting acting episode submissions will be unveiled soon by Gold Derby, the guest stars’ choices in drama and comedy were publicly available on the nominating ballots.
Read on for everything to know about the Emmy episode submissions for Best Drama Guest Actor, in which the contenders include a pair of first-time nominees and three former winners.
Colman Domingo (Euphoria)
Episode: “In God We Trust”
Character: Ali
Recap: Ali is Rue’s longtime sobriety sponsor and mentor who is forced to confront the limits of redemption as devastating grief drives him toward a final act of vengeance against the man responsible for Rue’s death.
Emmy history: This is Domingo’s fourth Emmy nomination; he previously won for Euphoria (2022), and was also nominated for The Four Seasons (2025 and 2026).
Ernest Harden Jr. (The Pitt)
Episode: “7:00 A.M.”
Character: Louie Cloverfield
Recap: Louie is an affable alcoholic and regular “frequent flier” patient in the emergency department. Before treating him, Dr. Langdon admits to Louie he stole his medication last season, sharing his own addiction and recovery. Louie’s death later serves as a poignant moment of reflection for all the medical staff.
Emmy history: This is Harden’s first nomination.
Jeff Hiller (Pluribus)
Episode: “Please, Carol”
Character: Larry
Recap: Larry is an Other, a member of the hive mind formed during The Joining. When Carol needs someone to interrogate about the new normal, she selects Larry. He’s gentle, diplomatic, and enthusiastic about Carol’s writing … but when pressed, he reveals the Others can’t lie, not even to save Carol’s feelings.
Emmy history: This is Hiller’s second nomination; he previously won for Somebody Somewhere (2025).
Jeff Kober (The Pitt)
Episode: “8:00 P.M.”
Character: Duke Ekins
Recap: Duke is Dr. Robby’s motorcycle mechanic and the one person he can speak the truth to about not wanting to be in the world anymore. Duke gets it and holds space for Robby to make a different choice.
Emmy history: This is Kober’s first Primetime nomination; he previously won a Daytime Emmy for General Hospital (2022).
Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses)
Episode: “Scars”
Character: David Cartwright
Recap: David Cartwright has adjusted to life in a care home. He misses his grandson River, who avoids visiting, finding it difficult to see his father figure so diminished. River dismisses his agitated ramblings, not realizing that David has the key to preventing further slaughter.
Emmy history: This is Pryce’s fifth nomination; he was previously nominated for Barbarians at the Gate (1993), Cranford (2010), Slow Horses (2024), and The Crown (2024).
Bradley Whitford (The Diplomat)
Episode: “Amagansett”
Character: Todd Penn
Recap: After Grace Penn ascends to the Presidency, Todd finds himself in the soul-sucking role of First Gentleman. As he grapples with his own irrelevancy, he grows wary of his wife’s new advisors, questioning their motives and realizing he may have to be the one to protect her political future.
Emmy history: This is Whitford’s ninth nomination; he previously won for The West Wing (2001), Transparent (2015), and The Handmaid’s Tale (2019), and was also nominated for The West Wing (2002 and 2003), Transparent (2016), and The Handmaid’s Tale (2020 and 2021).
The four guest-acting Emmys will be handed out at the Creative Arts ceremonies, taking place Sept. 5–6 at the Peacock Theater.
