Gwendoline Christie gatecrashed the Best Drama Supporting Actress category at the Emmys this year, receiving her first ever nomination for playing Brienne of Tarth on HBO’s fantasy blockbuster “Game of Thrones.”

After HBO decided to submit just a few of the sprawling cast on the Emmy ballot, Christie (along with co-stars Alfie Allen and Carice Van Houten) cleverly decided to take a chance and submit themselves, paying the $200 submission fee and keeping their fingers crossed for a possible surprise nomination. It was a wise decision by all three actors, as they all ended up nominated in their respective categories for the show’s final season.

Christie’s Emmy episode submission is “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” the second episode of the show’s final season. After years in the trenches, fighting valiantly and loyally for what and who she believes in, Brienne finally achieves her dream after years of perseverance, pain and heartache and is knighted by Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), the man that she has grown to love.

It culminates in a profoundly touching moment for the character as she is finally recognized as an equal among men. As her unbridled joy and vindication washes over her face, the audience shares in her profound happiness and pride. Christie is front and center in key parts of this episode, delivering a genuinely touching and heartfelt performance as Brienne is finally rewarded for her years of loyal service.

Christie is nominated alongside her co-stars Lena Headey, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams as well as rookie contenders Julia Garner (“Ozark”) and Fiona Shaw (“Killing Eve”). Can Christie’s emotional performance catapult her to the podium on Emmy night? Below, we take a closer look at the pros and cons.

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PROS

Emmy often loves an underdog scene-stealer, particularly in this category. Remember back in 1998 when Camryn Manheim won for playing fan-favorite Eleanor Frutt in “The Practice” and joyously proclaimed on stage that her win was “for all the fat girls”? Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) in 2015 and Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) in 2017 are more recent examples of this trend, where beloved character actors have won over better-known names. Fans of the show, of which there are clearly many in TV academy, love Christie’s character Brienne, which may give her the edge in a category crowded with “Game of Thrones” stars.

Performances that elicit a genuinely emotional reaction can often have an edge in a competitive category like this one. Brienne’s journey comes full circle this episode. She never let her guard down in the face of defeat and adversity over the years, and she finally shows a more vulnerable side when the man she loves honors her as a knight, and more importantly, as an equal. In expressing this moment of pure unadulterated happiness, Christie delivers a true highlight from the episode and a huge payoff for longtime viewers.

CONS

Vote-splitting is likely going to be Christie’s biggest obstacle on Emmy night. She’s up against three contenders from her show (Headey, Turner and Williams), while Garner and Shaw are the sole representatives from their respective shows, giving them the advantage of not having to compete with co-stars.

There was a narrative building that Christie’s co-star Headey is the most overdue for the win. Headey has been nominated five times in this category but has gone home empty-handed every time. This is her final chance to win for playing Cersei Lannister, arguably an even more iconic character in the “Thrones” canon, which might give her a slight edge over her cast mates on Emmy night.

Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before winners are announced on September 22. And join in the fun debate over the 2019 Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.