The 2025 Emmys are just around the corner, and the competition for Best Drama Actor is heating up. Here’s a look at the episodes submitted by the nominees and what makes their performances stand out.
2025 Emmys: Best Drama Actor Nominees and Their Submitted Episodes
When Emmy voters evaluate the acting categories, they’re presented with a list of episodes to consider before casting their ballots.
Gold Derby has confirmed the episodes submitted by contenders like Adam Scott and Noah Wyle in the Best Drama Actor category. Below, you’ll find the full list of submissions, along with episode recaps and a look at each actor’s Emmy history.
Best Drama Actor
Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins in Paradise
Episode: “The Day”
Recap: A supervolcanic eruption triggers global chaos as Collins struggles to save his stranded wife, Teri, while navigating the White House’s fraught evacuation. He clashes with President Bradford, who activates an EMP to stop a nuclear disaster at the cost of disabling global electronics. In the present, Sinatra reveals Atlanta was spared and orders Collins to find Bradford’s murderer if he wants to reunite with his wife and teenage daughter.
Emmy history: This is Brown’s 11th Primetime Emmy nomination; he previously won Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor for American Crime Story (2016), Best Drama Actor for This Is Us (2017), and Best Narrator for Lincoln: Divided We Stand (2021).
Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses
Episode: “Identity Theft”
Recap: In the Season 4 premiere, Jackson Lamb is called by Emma Flyte to identify what appears to be River Cartwright’s body after a man is shot and killed at David’s house. Upon inspection, Lamb realizes the victim is not River and begins piecing together the truth. He later confronts Standish at her flat and discovers that River has arranged for David to be safely sheltered there. Meanwhile, River is shown traveling in France, leaving Lamb to deal with the fallout.
Emmy history: This is Oldman’s third Primetime Emmy nomination.
Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller in The Last of Us
Episode: “The Price”
Recap: Joel celebrates Ellie’s birthdays over the years as their bond grows strained due to her suspicions about his story regarding the Fireflies. On her 19th birthday, Joel takes Ellie on patrol, where she discovers he executed a bitten Eugene and lied about it to Eugene’s wife, Gail. After a tense New Year’s party, Ellie confronts Joel on his porch and demands the truth about the Fireflies’ fate, leading him to tearfully admit he killed them to save her life. Furious at his actions, Ellie says he robbed her of her purpose, though she agrees to try to forgive him.
Emmy history: This is Pascal’s fourth Primetime Emmy nomination.
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Adam Scott as Mark S./Mark Scout in Severance
Episode: “Cold Harbor”
Recap: In the Season 2 finale, Mark’s innie is tasked with rescuing Gemma from the testing floor after completing the Cold Harbor file. After finishing the file, Mark breaks into the testing floor and finds Gemma, who appears emotionless. During their escape, Mark accidentally kills Drummond in the testing floor elevator. Although he helps Gemma reach the exit, Mark chooses to return to Helly, joining her as alarms blare through the hallways.
Emmy history: This is Scott’s third Primetime Emmy nomination.
Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in The Pitt
Episode: “9:00 P.M.”
Recap: In the season finale, Robby navigates a series of challenges, from convincing the police to release McKay to clashing with Langdon. Later, he guilt-trips Flynn’s father into approving a risky procedure by showing him the PittFest victims. After a difficult shift, Robby is found on the hospital roof by Abbot, who reassures him not to view himself as a failure. The episode ends with Robby joining colleagues for a beer in the park before finally heading home.
Emmy history: This is Wyle’s sixth Primetime Emmy nomination.
