Ron Cephas Jones, “This Is Us”
In looking for an actor to play William Hill, the biological father of Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown), the producers of “This Is Us” could have chosen any number of Hollywood actors age 60 or older. Who wouldn’t want to play a terminally ill former drug addict who is reconciled with the son he abandoned as a baby? The role screams, “Emmy!” And now it looks like that statuette may go to New York theater actor Cephas Jones for his charming and heartbreaking performance. As Randall introduced William into his own family’s life, he was initially reluctant to take up space in their house but warmed to the company of Randall’s adorable daughters. The lifelong loner soon let his son and daughter-in-law (Susan Kelechi Watson) take care of him, made friends with the mailman and even reunited with an old boyfriend (Denis O’Hare). The specter of death was never far away, though, and when William asked Randall to take him to his hometown, he knew he was going home for good. The “Memphis” episode will go down as the most moving hour of TV this season, largely due to Jones’ death scene.
Jackie Hoffman, “Feud: Bette and Joan”
There are a lot of stars in Ryan Murphy’s rococo limited series, and they’re all having a blast: Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Judy Davis, Stanley Tucci and Alfred Molina. But who expected a tiny, poker-faced New York comic named Jackie Hoffman to walk away with the show? As Crawford’s loyal German housekeeper, Mamacita, she has taken a vow of omertà when it comes to spilling her mistresses’ tawdry secrets, but when Mamacita speaks, everybody listens. In one memorable scene, she tells Joan — who doesn’t know what to do with herself — that “women outlive men, get used to it.” She’s a splash of cold water on the overheated Hollywood egos.
Iain Armitage, “Big Little Lies”
Ziggy Chapman, the adorable 7-year-old son of a single mother, Jane (Shailene Woodley), wants to know one thing: Who is his father? His mother can’t tell him because he is much too young to understand: He is a child of rape. When he’s given a homework assignment of creating a family tree, Jane wants to leave Ziggy’s father’s name off and the kid balks. “What is his name?” he says, exasperated. “Just write it down. What is his name, for Christ’s sake?” Armitage, a neophyte with amazing camera presence, was asked to convey confusion, anger and bewilderment as Ziggy listened to his mother’s non-answers. In his other noteworthy story arc, he was also wrongly accused of hurting a classmate at school — and couldn’t defend himself as he became a social outcast. Hollywood has already fallen for this kid: He’ll play the lead in “Young Sheldon,” a prequel to “The Big Bang Theory,” this fall on CBS.
Thandie Newton, “Westworld”
Robots aren’t supposed to feel anything, but as Maeve Millay, the rebellious saloon madam on HBO’s “Westworld,” Thandie Newton created a mercurial character capable of deep vulnerabity, outright defiance and dry wit. Her escape from the compound was thrilling to watch, especially as her steely determination changed to hesitation — and, finally, an inability to leave the daughter she was about to abandon.
John Lithgow, “The Crown”
John Lithgow’s career is replete with great roles and awards — five Emmys, among others. But his portrayal of Winston Churchill on “The Crown” (Netflix) made us see him in a new light. Capturing the statesman’s sense of pride and self-importance as well as his vulnerability in the face of physical infirmities, Lithgow created a moving portrait of a historical figure who has been played by everyone from Brendan Gleeson and Rod Taylor to Gary Oldman — and made the role his own.