Hey, Eddie Marsan: Playing John Adams is a great way to win an Emmy

Michael Douglas is in terrific form as Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV’s new historical limited series “Franklin” but he isn’t the only actor to emerge with awards whispers whizzing through the air. Veteran actor Eddie Marsan features in a key supporting role as John Adams and delivers one of the finest performances of his career while also shining a new light onto a man that many actors have depicted before.

The limited series follows Franklin’s eight years in France as he tried to persuade King Louis XVI (Tom Pezier) to join the colonies’ cause and aid them in the American Revolutionary War. The scenes between Douglas and Marsan are nothing short of spectacular and Marsan nails his performance as Adams, as noted by critics.

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Clint Worthington (Roger Ebert) noted: “Marsan’s energy as Adams is decidedly different from Paul Giamatti’s in Ellis’ original 2008 miniseries—“Franklin” feels like a series-long extension of that series’ third episode, which depicted a more truncated version of these events—but no less welcome. He’s a haughtier, more confrontational balm to Franklin’s frivolity, a junior statesman who hasn’t yet figured out how to play the game.”

Tim Stevens (The Spool) observed: “Eddie Marsan’s John Adams, proves near perfect. Marsan’s depiction of Adams’ rigidity and love of country makes it clear his unpleasantness and decency.”

Keith Watson (The Telegraph) summarized: “Best of all, Eddie Marsan plays John Adams as relentlessly dour, the polar opposite of Franklin’s easy charm.”

Paul Giamatti won the Emmy for Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor back in 2008 for playing the politico in “John Adams.” Marsan could win on the supporting side for his work in “Franklin.” He faces some tough competition in the Best TV Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor category including recent Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. (“The Sympathizer”), Lewis Pullman (“Lessons in Chemistry”), and Jonathan Bailey (“Fellow Travelers”).

However, he may have the edge. Marsan is a respected actor who has featured in key roles in many different types of projects. Some snippets of his filmography include “Gangs of New York,” “21 Grams,” “Mission: Impossible III,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “War Horse,” “Deadpool 2,” “Hobbs & Shaw,” and “Ray Donovan.” He is the sort of reliable actor who elevates every project he is in but yet, while audiences know his face, they may not know his name.

This performance enables him to step into the spotlight and gives him the opportunity to display his talents for all to see. When a journeyman actor gets that chance, they are usually nominated in this category. Recent such nominees include Bartlett (“The White Lotus”/”Welcome to Chippendales”), Michael Stuhlbarg (“The Looming Tower”/”Dopesick”), Zahn (“The White Lotus”), David Thewlis (“Fargo”), Alfred Molina (“The Normal Heart”/”Feud: Bette and Joan”), and Bill Camp (“The Night Of”).

This category is a great one for those seeking their first nominations with the likes of Joseph Lee (“Beef”), Young Mazino (“Beef”), Steve Zahn (“The White Lotus”), Jake Lacy (“The White Lotus”), Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”), and Paapu Essiedu (“I May Destroy You”) all doing so.

And playing a real person is always a good way to be nominated. Richard Jenkins (“Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”), Seth Rogen (“Pam & Tommy”), Jim Parsons (“Hollywood”), and “Hamilton” trio Anthony Ramos, Jonathan Groff, and Daveed Diggs all earned bids in this category for portraying real people.

Voters are always drawn to thespians who play key figures in American political history in this category. Examples include Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in “Hamilton,” Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in “Hamilton,” Ed Harris as John McCain in “Game Change,” Tom Wilkinson as Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. in “The Kennedys,” Len Cariou as Franklin D. Roosevelt in “Into the Storm,” Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson in “John Adams,” David Morse as George Washington in “John Adams,” and Wilkinson as Franklin in “John Adams.”

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