2023 Emmy Predictions: Best Drama Actor

Preparing to make your 2023 Emmy predictions for Best Drama Actor? Be sure to take a look through our photo gallery highlighting the likeliest potential nominees. With reigning champ Lee Jung-jae (“Squid Game”) out of contention, Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) and Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), who both finished playing their characters this year, are involved in a tight battle for first place.

Strong and Odenkirk are two of three 2022 contenders back in the hunt for this award, along with Strong’s “Succession” costar, Brian Cox. Strong took this prize for his show’s second season in 2020. “Severance” did not return in time for Adam Scott to be eligible, and Jason Bateman is out because “Ozark” ended its run last April.

Matthew Rhys, who triumphed here for “The Americans” in 2018, is seeking another shot at the gold after having first been nominated for “Perry Mason” two years ago. He could potentially make history as the first man to win in this category for playing two different characters, as could respective “Your Honor” and “Rabbit Hole” stars Bryan Cranston (previously of “Breaking Bad”) and Kiefer Sutherland (“24”).

Actors seeking recognition for new drama series include Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”), Paddy Considine (“House of the Dragon”), Diego Luna (“Andor”), and Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”).

Frontrunners
Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
Brian Cox (“Succession”)
Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)
Paddy Considine (“House of the Dragon”)
Diego Luna (“Andor”)

Strong Contenders
Harrison Ford (“1923”)
Matthew Rhys (“Perry Mason”)
Kevin Costner (“Yellowstone”)
Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses”)
Antony Starr (“The Boys”)
Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”)
Forest Whitaker (“Godfather of Harlem”)
Dominic West (“The Crown”)

Possible Contenders
Jacob Anderson (“Interview with the Vampire”)
Pedro Pascal (“The Mandalorian”)
Bryan Cranston (“Your Honor”)
Jabari Banks (“Bel-Air”)
Jack Quaid (“The Boys”)
Karl Urban (“The Boys”)
Mike Colter (“Evil”)
Harold Perrineau (“From”)

PREDICT the 2023 Emmy nominees through July 12

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