BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Today's award is Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series!

Check out past results from 2020 and 2021!

This year's nominees are...

JULIA GARNER as Ruth Langmore in Ozark (Netflix)

ELLA PURNELL as Jackie in Yellowjackets (Showtime)

J. SMITH-CAMERON as Gerri Kellman in Succession (HBO)

SARAH SNOOK as Shiv Roy in Succession (HBO)

SYDNEY SWEENEY as Cassie Howard in Euphoria (HBO)

SUSAN KELECHI WATSON as Beth Pearson in This is Us (NBC)

YOUN YUH-JUNG as Kim Sunja in Pachinko (Apple TV+)

And the Winner Is...

SUSAN KELECHI WATSON

This is Us (NBC)

Susan Kelechi Watson has put in six expert seasons as Beth Pearson on This is Us and it's a downright crime that she has not received more awards attention for her very strong performance that has been as strong and steady as her character throughout the entire run. In a final season that was very emotional and could often be tough to watch, Watson often provided comedic relief. Her matter of fact line deliveries and willing to call out her on-screen family for their shenanigans gave moments of levity to the really tough scenes leading up to the death of Mandy Moore's character. She also got to have one final chapter of her own in a strong episode that Watson co-wrote. Beth got the happy ending she always deserved in an episode that showed just how great the character is, always has been (special shoutout to Rachel Hilson as Young Beth too) and always will be.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:

There were a lot of strong performances in this category. 2020 winner Julia Garner was extremely strong in the final season as she always was and she can deliver anger like almost no other. Amidst some other flashier performances, Sarah Snook doesn't always get enough credit for her importance to the cast of Succession. Her co-star J. Smith-Cameron took on an even bigger role for Season Three and was certainly up to the challenge. Speaking of bigger roles, Sydney Sweeney was a very important character in the second season of Euphoria and did a great job portraying a character spiraling out of control (like all characters on Euphoria). Ella Purnell was one of the few characters only in one timeline of Yellowjackets which made her character stand out even more in that timeline. Finally, Youn Yuh-Jung was heartbreaking in her role in Pachinko with an understated yet powerful performance.

Tomorrow: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series!