Watchers on the Wall Awards preliminary round voting continues this week with another great category- Best Supporting Actor! But before we start celebrating our favorite supporting men of season 7, let’s get another category sorted: Best Leading Actor. For Leading Actor, we’ll be skipping the preliminary voting, because there are just four candidates, based on our readers’ nominations, the characters’ season 7 storylines and their screentime. They’ll be going straight to the final round (taking place in a few weeks). The nominees for Best Leading Actor are: John Bradley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, and Kit Harington. Congrats, fellas!
Now, onto the voting for Best Supporting Actor:
The standard rules: Select up to FIVE nominees from the poll. You can choose fewer if you like, but you cannot choose more than 5. (Visit the initial WotW Awards post for a complete explanation of the rules and process.)
At the end of 72 hours (Sunday 10/29/17 at 1PM Eastern Time), whichever five actors have the most votes will continue on to the finals. The results of the poll will be revealed when it’s time to choose the winner of Best Supporting Actor in a few weeks.
Thanks to Greatjon of Slumber for tallying up the initial nominee suggestions. Time to vote!
For me it’s Allen, Asbaek, Hill, McCann and Glen, with Cunningham as close runner-up. Hodor?
Tough choices!
Alfie, Liam, Anton, Kristofer and Rory.
5-Theon[Alfie Allen] 4-Bronn[Jerome Flynn] 3-Tormund [Kristopher Hivuju] 2-Euron[Pilou Asbaek] 1-Sir Davos[Liam Cunnigham]
Pilou Asbaek, Liam Cunningham, Joe Dempsie, Aidan Gillen
Theon, Bronn, and Sandor.
I like all the others, but didn’t think their performances in season 7 were anything other than standard.
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy. Because of course. It was a strong season for Theon and, as always, Allen delivered.
Pilou Asbaek as Euron Greyjoy. Such a refreshing return, or rather reinvention, for a character that failed to make a strong impression in the previous season. Asbaek was having a lot fun with this funnier, crazier side to Euron.
Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth. Cunningham is as dependable as his character is. He’s not a badass, he doesn’t have many scenes in which to absolutely shine, but he’s always great, for whatever he’s asked to do. Highlights this season include arguing in favor of Jon and joining the war against the White Walkers to Daenerys, and recruiting Gendry.
Aidan Gillen as Littlefinger. An impactful ending for an impactful character. Slimy to the very last, Littlefinger was a dead man walking since Sansa rejected his advances at the end of season six; it took a while, but by the end of season seven Sansa pulled the trigger, and in his final moments Gillen gave us his best Littlefinger performance yet.
Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. Probably not a popular choice, but as Petra and I discussed in our dialogues, it was impressive how IHW managed to play such an apparently monotone character, both in actual tone and in emotion, without it becoming boring at all. There’s always some underlying feeling to it all, like he’s detached but he knows every thing he does holds a greater meaning.
Pilou Asbaek,Jerome Flynn,Rory McCann,Kristofer Hivju
This is always an absolutely horrendous category for me, in the sense that it is almost impossible to cull the list down to five, never mind one. While all of these actors gave tremendous performances, I ultimately picked the following five:
Alfie Allen – I can’t remember Alfie ever giving a poor performance in the entirety of the show. In this season, he showed us the Theon we saw at the end of season six – a man who has recognizes he is unfit to rule and has put his support behind Yara and Daenerys – the Theon who survived being Reek, but isn’t past it yet, and the Theon who needs to seek forgiveness for his actions and redeem himself. I loved everything about his performance this season.
Liam Cunningham – I loved his dramatic performance as always, but I also loved the comedic qualities to it this year. I particularly loved the scene on the beach in KL, which I think gave us an insight into Davos the Smuggler. The references back to the Battle of the Blackwater and the obvious emotion Davos still clearly feels about the loss of his son; emotion he is setting aside as part of his dedication to the Great War. All in all, a fantastic performance.
Aidan Gillen – While I loved to watch LF squirm and get his comeuppance, I will definitely miss Aidan Gillen and his portrayal of this character. He has always shown LF as smug, satisfied and ahead of the game – to show LF truly on his knees was fascinating. The subtlety of his performance in his final season was fantastic.
Iain Glen – For me, this was one of his strongest seasons, and I loved the interactions between Jorah and Sam/Jon. So much of his portrayal of Jorah this year was about redemption, and I enjoyed seeing him with Jon in Beyond the Wall, and their interactions discussing Jorah’s father. His acceptance of death, before this, at the Citadel was fantastic and beautifully performed.
Rory McCann – His scenes were all fantastic this year. I loved the callback to earlier seasons in Dragonstone when the Hound and Arya were trudging through the war-torn Riverlands, and felt it gave us a chance to see both the sad reality of the words the Hound spoke at the time and the consequences of the War of the Five Kings now that winter is here. I loved the exploration of his hatred of fire in Beyond the Wall, and his bromance with Tormund. And the KL scenes with Brienne, Tyrion and the Mountain. All great stuff!
Liam, Kristofer, Rory, and Iain. I was devastated that John Bradley didn’t at least make the long list. I wonder if I am a poor judge of acting abilities, though, since my favorites are often not the favorites of others. Gosh, I love these boys.
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth
Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish
Jerome Flynn as Bronn
Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane/The Hound
Honorable Mentions: They’re all worthy, but I gave strongest consideration to Iain Glen, Kristofer Hivju, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, and Pilou Asbaek. I think that Asbaek at least should be eligible for Guest Actor as well (4 appearances in Season 7, 6 appearances total) so I’ll happily vote for him there if he doesn’t make the cut here. This category is always perhaps the hardest to pare down of them all.
Ginevra,
John Bradley didn’t get overlooked for a nomination – he’s going to be competing in the Lead Actor category this year! I think that placement makes sense, since Sam was the primary character in his own storyline for most of Season 7. Granted, he’ll be facing stiff competition going up against Kit, Peter, and Nikolaj, but you’ll have the chance to vote for him there if you so wish.
One vote to rule them all, one vote to find them. One vote to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. 🙂
Alfie Allen – Theon Greyjoy
Yeah, Alfie just never ever disappoints. His acting throughout the entire series has been outstanding and his acing of Theon’s mental breakdown as the character’s PTSD was triggered during the naval battle was among his absolute best performances – and that’s saying a lot. Same could be said about his moving scene(s) with Jon, in particular in episode 7. And how great was it to finally see a triumphant smile on Theon’s face once the tables were turned during the beach fight with the ironborn?
I’ll leave the rest of you to vote for other contestants but for me there is only one obvious winner.
That he certainly did.
I haven’t narrowed down exactly who my top 5 is (this category is murder again this year), but I think Jacob Anderson needs some more love than he’s getting. He wasn’t in it much this year, I know, but he was awesome in his scene with Missandei. The performance in that one scene was better than many of the other performances that stretched over multiple episodes, in my opinion. Anderson had a more difficult job to do, so his high quality work is more impressive than the high quality work of many of the other actors here. I love Cunningham, Hill, and Hivju, but they were mostly just doing a lot of what they’ve already done before. They were in front of the camera more often than Anderson, and I get that should be a consideration, but I don’t think I saw any of them perform a scene quite as well as he did in “Stormborn.”
Alfie Allen, Aidan Gillen, and Iain Glen make up the rest of who I know I will vote for. Allen and Glen are always great, and deserve nominations whenever they get the material. Allen’s arc this year was incredible to watch, and I think Glen’s scenes with Sam showed off some of his best silent-face-acting. I usually don’t love Gillen, but man, he hit his final scene out of the park. Makes me question my previously held opinion about his abilities.
Not sure about the fifth slot…probably going to McCann, Flynn or Cunningham.
You’re talking about 🐶, I assume.
Since I couldn’t vote for him 5x, I voted only for him.
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy without a doubt. He did an amazing job as always but in season 7, his performance was breathtaking and it was what saved this season for me.
Luka Nieto,
Actually, I would’ve included Isaac HW if he’d had just a little more screen time. Two scenes he did were stellar, the first with just four words: when he cut off MiddleFinger – and spooked me – with “Chaos…is a ladder.” (Others have commented that as soon as that happened LF should’ve turned tail and run. Far away.)
The second was his info exchange with Sam. The straight face response when Sam asked if he knew Jon was on his way back with Dany because he saw it in a vision – and Sam blithely held up the scroll – followed by the paternity info exchange leading up to Isaac’s wonderful voice-over:”He loved her. …And she loved him.”
“[Jon’s] never been a bastard…He’s the heir to the Iron Throne.”
That moment when you have 6 contenders that you can’t bear to narrow down….😧
Allen, McCann, Flynn, Glen, and Gillen.
I am so, so sorry, Liam. I adore you and you had the best speech, imo. And the fermented crab. But Bronn’s Mad Max episode just won the moment for me. Dang.
Pilou and Isaac as well, completely in my top 10. Euron’s comments to Jaime, and that fight on the boats…damn.
I know people like to poke fun at Robo-Bran, but damn if I was in that situation I’d have lost my entire damn mind. Even with Sansa, he did soften and say “I am sorry that this happened to you, here.” And the heartbreaking scene with Meera…he didn’t argue that ‘Bran’ died in that cave. I feel for this character.
Everyone besides Aiden (every LF monologue was awful). His death was well acted though. And I am well aware that he is a brilliant actor.
Pilou had his moments, but didn’t care for him either
I hope Liam wins. Davos is a pretty forgettable character in the books, but Liam makes him unforgettable. Hes become the moral center of the show in a way similar to what Ned Stark once was.
Ginevra, John Bradley is on the list for Best Actor! He wasn’t overlooked, not a chance, for I, too, would revolt.
Ye gods, this is hard. What a joy to have every one of the supporting actors merit recognition: it makes for a wonderful show. But how sad to have to sort through them. Many thanks to Greatjon of Slumber for tallying these.
I haven’t voted yet. I have to come back later when I have more time to think about it.
For season 7 I voted for: Alfie/Theon, Rory/Sandor, Kristoffer/Tormund, Liam/Davos an Iain/Jorah.
But in previous seasons I would have voted for Jerome/Bronn, Anton/Quiburn, Isaac/Bran and Aidan/Littlefinger.
Alfie Allen
Davos is AWESOME in the books. He’s the only chapter POV character that appears after the first book that I cared about. And pre-series he was my 4th favorite in the books (and is my 3rd favorite on the series thanks to Liam–which is to say that he brought the awesomeness of Davos to life in every way possible). I was so annoyed with GRRM for keeping on adding more POV chapter characters when I just wanted to get back to those I already knew from the first book, but man, Davos just grabbed me from his first chapter on.
As for the poll:
Liam Cunningham – Davos
Joe Dempsie – Gendry
Alfie Allen – Theon
Rory McCain – The Hound/Sandor
Conleith Hill – Varys
So far, it looks like Alfie Allen has this sewn up. He doesn’t get my vote, though. As much as I respect Mr. Allen’s acting, I simply just do not care for the Greyjoy storyline. Clearly, I am in the minority, here.
My two selections were:
Liam/Davos: The sky is on blue and red fire and the ground is freezing beneath everyone’s feet. If there’s anywhere in all that horror that I’d feel safest, it would be by Davos’ side. He’s not a warrior; he possesses no magic but he has been a steady, noble, honest, practical, funny man. I trust him. Yeah, nobody mind him…he’s only managed to live to a ripe old age. 🙂
Rory/Sandor: Of all those in the supporting actor category, I’m more interested in seeing where he goes next, character-wise. This was a great season for him.
Thronetender,
This is not hard!
Just click the little circle next to “Rory McCann – Sandor Clegane/The Hound”, then click “Vote”, and then make dinner or have some wine.
I think I would’ve added Richard Dormer/ Beric for this category unless he is listed as guest actor. His portrayal of Beric is fantastic and delivered some memorable dialogue.
singedbylife,
I have long thought that Theon should be considered an actor, not just supporting. He excells in anything he does on the screen. He managed to make a character I really hated in the books and much of the first few seasons, to someone I felt sorry for and wanted him to end the show with a good life, whatever that means for him.
I only voted for two more: hound and davos. The rest were fine, but nothing I saw stood out for me. Aidan didn’t do much but stalk the balcony and be creepy, which is too bad because I think he’s done fine as LF, and his last few moments on earth were very well acted.
Well that’s a pretty darn tough category. As much as it pains me not to vote for Conleth Hill and Aidan Gillen, they simply didn’t have much to do and both characters are mere shadows of their past machinations.
So my vote goes to Rory McCann, Alfie Allen, Liam Cunningham, Jerome Flynn and Pilou Asbaek.
– The Hound has been through a lot, and was memorable this season (like most).
– Theon still deals with his trauma as he should and is played wonderfully in that.
– Davos has had a good year counseling AeJon and overall again serving as a sorta “Hand of the King” (“This is Jon Snow… He’s King in the North!”).
– Bronn had quite a lot to do as well, and he sure didn’t run out of his quips (although he may be running out of patience with lannister promises).
– And Euron managed to leave a mark upon the viewer with his newfound showmanship.
I got so excited to actually see the Take out Poll link that I only remembered to vote for 4: Liam, Rory, Aiden, Alfie. I probably would have added Pilou Asbaek.
Of the four, IMO Liam and Alfie were so bloody good in near-leading parts, that one of them will get my final vote. I think Alfie should be in the Leading category instead of John Bradley. But Rory–only a few scenes but not one unbrilliant moment!
That;s a model supporting actor performance.
🙂
-Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
-Jerome Flynn as Bronn
-Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish/Littlefinger
-Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark
-Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane/The Hound
Honorable Mentions of S7: Iain Glen, Conleth Hill, Pilou Asbaek.
It’s weird to me that someone can see all of these great actors and not vote for 5 of them, and instead just vote for one or two. I mean, come on, these are awesome actors! Are 12 of them really so undeserving that you can’t bring yourself to throw a few more in with your top choice? If anything, I wish I could vote for a few more than five!
Ginevra,
Bradley got bumped to First Class; he is in the Leading Actor category! No more second banana for this guy!!!
Hi – one question for the admins – what determines that there are 4 actors in the Best Actor category, and not 5 like in this category (best supporting)?
I’m pleased with the best supporting actor category and have already voted for my nomination choice, but I’m seriously not understanding exactly how there ended up being only 4 in the Best Actor category instead of 5? I do understand that you have probably been counting nominations/votes but why did you end at 4? Curious here.
I don’t think it is weird at all. At the end of the day, opinions differ and there is no accounting for taste. 🙂 In fact, one could also easily ask the opposite question: how could someone vote for nearly all of them, when a significant fraction of people might perceive a significant spread in quality among the performers listed here ? It’s just as valid as your question.
There was no voting for the leads because only 4 were nominated (and qualified for screentime I suppose). Thus only 4 are there still and continue straight to the finals. Like the female leads.
The other categories, like this “Supporting actor” category, have many more than only 5 choices, thus 2 rounds of voting after nominations are necessary.
TOIVA,
Well, I know that several other actors than the 4 chosen ones were suggested as Best Actor by wotw members in the first round which this preliminary round is a result of, so my question still stands (and was directed at the admins.) Are you an admin? If so, my apologies.
Hodor Targaryen,
Well, my voting for 3 didn’t mean I thought the others were awful. They all have good acting skills and I enjoy watching them. But I think the category is more than just acting – which supporting actors actually supported the actors and drove the story line? Thats why I chose who I chose.
Oh dear WotW, what are you doing to me? I voted, clicked and forgot who I voted for… but who cares… Rory for the win!!!
rex,
Well, maybe it’s more efficient than what I did, which was spend way too much time thinking “Which actor should be in my fifth slot?” 🙂 If someone can just not make up their mind after picking their top 3 or whatever I get that. For me, personally, I see more than 5 actors who are worthy of nomination, even if a couple (like Allen) stand above the rest. So why not vote for the maximum? But that’s based on my very subjective and positive reaction to the nominees.
I need at least two more votes (or just Alfie.)
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy is my first and the only choice. He ‘ve done an incredible perfomance in season 7 (as well as other seasons). He really saved the season which was
hastily directed. His impressive performance having a shot screen time was very convincing. He deserves an Emmy 2018:)))))))
This is an other tough one, for several reasons.
Well, the first three were a no-brainer. Alfie Allen continues to be excellent, Rory McCann brings amazing nuance to Sandor, and Kristofer Hivju just IS Tormund.
After that, it gets difficult. Firstly, some got scant screentime (looking at you, Joe Dempsie/Gendry). Secondly, and related, this award shouldn’t go on past merits… Sorry, Conleth Hill (Varys) and Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger)… And thirdly, we should be able to separate the character, and the actor and the work he does. So while we might “hate” a character, the actor might be doing excellent work. Take a bow, Pilou Asbaek. Or, conversely, a “favourite”, the actor might be good, solid but not extraordinary, with what they were given. I think IHW falls into this category. Not bad by any means, but also not shining out.
Jacob Anderson is a strong contender only on the strength of one scene (Grey Worm’s and Missandei’s extraordinarily tender and well-acted love scene), otherwise he was more of a plot device.
Qyburn had very little screentime but he was delicious in that brief moment holding the dismembered wight hand. In a second or two Anton Lesser gave us all Qyburn is about. Excellent, excellent work.
So my last two votes are a tie between three excellent actors: Liam Cunningham (solid as ever, but with a new twinkle), Jerome Flynn (I’m surprised by this, but he inhabits Bronn so well) and Iain Glen (that voice, aaah – swoon – and despite perhaps less screentime than in some of the early seasons, he was so goooood).
OK, here goes.
1. Alfie Allen
2. Rory McCann
3. Kristofer Hivju
4. Iain Glen
5. Liam Cunningham
Honourable mention: Jerome Flynn.
Honourable mentions to all the others, too. None of them did a bad job, quite the contrary. This show is blessed with too much great acting.
singedbylife,
My bad then, I believed your question was in broader terms.
Yes! I know he provided comic relief in “Beyond the Wall”, but I rewatched Episode 1…and he was fabulous. From Beric and Thoros reveling in his grumpiness, to his genuine remorse over the death of the farmer and daughter, and his “spiritual” confusion… Just great. I missed alot the first time around.
This category is always way too difficult to narrow down. Goes to show how many great actors there are on this show. So in no particular order:
Alfie Allen
Liam Cunningham
Aidan Gillen
Iain Glen
Rory McCann
Honorable mentions: Jerome Flynn, Kristofer Hivju
I voted the first day, for the characters I enjoyed the most:
Rory/Sandor
Liam/Davos
Kristofer/Tormund
Jerome/Bronn
Iain/Jorah
I love all these guys, the actor and the character, and am delighted whenever they are onscreen. On re-watch, I never fast forward through their scenes, I savor every moment/word onscreen.
Iain particularly this season. He took Jorah from almost completely resigned, sad, stiffened and deformed with a horrible disease, to being Sam’s willing patient, enduring what amounted to torture in attempting a cure. Those scenes when he is biting down on the leather as Sam “peels” him were amazingly convincing. Then, cured, he is infused with new hope, and a much calmer demeanor. His happy, assured approach of Dany was different than any before.
Always before, his approach was somewhat deferential, uncertain, totally friend-zone. This time, coming from among his Dothraki escorts, he looked the part of a Lord approaching his Lady, well-dressed, straight and tall, assured of his acceptance, as though he were thinking, “I’m cured, Queenie. After what I’ve been through, if you don’t want me now, I’m outta here and fuck you.” Add to that the assessing side-eye at Jon, and the whole scene put a big smile on my face. Even up North, he was great, funny and heroic, the elder statesman proving his bravery once again. His every moment on screen got my vote.
Thronetender,
To your excellent observations about Jorah, I would add that when he and Jon got into the boat to head north, only Jorah looked back at Daenerys.
*runs in*
*drops photobombs*
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CvDHV7Qr92M/maxresdefault.jpg
http://media.popculture.com/2017/07/jorah-mormont-daenerys-20007901-1280×0.jpg
https://pmchollywoodlife.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/emilia-clarke-reveal-jorah-will-be-true-love-ftr.jpg?w=620
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzbCqJY9YUg/WZmAgLZKT4I/AAAAAAAArlo/FVejI6Ju_EYvhDgLoBEEOQm5-wmOpf3MQCEwYBhgL/s1600/7ee.jpg
*runs out sobbing and flailing arms*
Alfie, Rory, Liam, Iain, Conleth. All absolutely outstanding!
I voted for the Greyjoys. My natural first choice would have been Sam, but I was surprised to see he made it to the leading actors category. Which, in my view, is a clean win for Aegon the Unlikelier this year.
Oh, whew! And yay! Thanks, Jared.
Pigeon,
Those are some really beautiful photographs of Jorah.