Emmys 2025: Fierce Battle for Best Drama Guest Actress Between The Last of Us and Severance
The 2025 Emmy Awards are shaping up to be a dramatic showdown in the Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series category, with HBO’s The Last of Us and Apple TV+’s Severance dominating the predictions. According to Gold Derby, both series have two actresses each among the top contenders, making the race one of the most competitive this year.
Top Contenders from The Last of Us
Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O’Hara are frontrunners for their riveting performances in The Last of Us Season 2. Dever plays Abby, a vengeful soldier driven by the trauma of her father’s death at the hands of Joel (Pedro Pascal). Her arc spans three episodes and climaxes in one of the most shocking and emotional sequences of the season. This marks a strong follow-up to her 2023 Emmy nomination for Dopesick.
Veteran actress Catherine O’Hara takes on the role of Gail, a therapist who continues to counsel Joel despite knowing he killed her husband, Eugene (Joe Pantoliano). O’Hara, a two-time Emmy winner for Schitt’s Creek and SCTV Network, could earn dual nominations this year, with a supporting role in The Studio also on the ballot.
Apple’s Severance Brings Depth and Innovation
Representing Severance, Gwendoline Christie and Merritt Wever offer contrasting but compelling guest roles. Christie portrays Lorne, a mysterious and socially withdrawn goatherd who becomes entangled in Mark S.’s (Adam Scott) search for the truth behind his wife’s disappearance. Her performance blends surrealism with emotional gravity, marking a potential second Emmy nomination after Game of Thrones in 2019.
Wever’s portrayal of Gretchen George, the emotionally torn wife of Dylan George (Zach Cherry), adds a deeply human layer to Severance’s complex narrative. Wever is no stranger to the Emmys, having already won twice for Nurse Jackie and Godless.
Other Notable Nominees in the Mix
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Cherry Jones returns in the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale as Holly Maddox, June’s mother. Her moving role in the present-day storyline could earn her a fourth Emmy.
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Hilary Swank impresses in Yellowjackets, portraying Melissa/Kelly, a survivor reinventing her identity after faking her death. Though a two-time Oscar winner, this would be Swank’s first Emmy nomination.
Additional contenders include Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us), Jane Alexander, Julie Hagerty, Angela Bassett, and Rebecca Tilney, though not all were officially submitted by networks.
Emmy Buzz Heats Up
With powerhouse performances across multiple streaming platforms, the Emmy race for Best Drama Guest Actress reflects the growing prestige of guest roles in television. Whether it’s Dever’s emotionally charged vengeance, Christie’s eccentric mystique, or Jones’ maternal resilience, 2025’s nominees promise a showcase of dramatic excellence.
