“Reservation Dogs ”star Devery Jacobs, Emmy nomination predictions, and more in EW's “The Awardist”

The actor (and writer and director!) looks back on the final season and Ethan Hawke playing their dad. Plus, guest actor nomination predictions, our advocacy picks, and more in EW's "The Awardist" digital magazine.

Reservation Dogs star Devery Jacobs reflects on the show's final season, becoming a triple-threat, and how they got through that scene with Ethan Hawke

Interview by Kristen Baldwin
Illustration by Chris Ciccone

When we first met Elora Danan Postoak on Reservation Dogs, she was shattered by grief over the suicide of her dear friend Daniel (Dalton Cramer). Over the last three seasons, we’ve seen Elora — played with beautiful subtlety by Devery Jacobs — and her fellow res dogs Bear (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis), and Cheese (Lane Factor) go on a healing journey that was heartbreaking and hilarious, accented with magical realism and powered by universal truths about community and friendship.

Since Reservation Dogs’ premiere in 2021, Jacobs has continued to take on new challenges. The 30-year-old actress — born Kawennáhare Devery Jacobs in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, Canada — joined the writers’ room in season 2, where they and showrunner Sterlin Harjo co-wrote the emotional and uplifting fourth episode, “Mabel,” about the death of Elora’s grandma (Geraldine Keams). For Dogs’ third and final season, Jacobs added TV director to their resume with the bittersweet “Wahoo!”, in which the spirit of Elora’s late mother, Cookie (JaNae Collins), returns with an important message for her daughter.

Related: 'Reservation Dogs' creator Sterlin Harjo felt his uncle's spirit during Willie Jack's prayer scene

Family is a prominent theme in Reservation Dogs, but for Elora — who lost her mother as a child and grew up thinking her absentee father was also dead — it was also a source of pain and longing. That all changed in this final season, as Elora decided to pursue a college degree — a move that ended up connecting her to a man named Rick Miller (Ethan Hawke), her very-much-alive and eager-to-bond father. That meeting is chronicled with tender, clear-eyed honesty in the series’ penultimate episode, “Elora’s Dad,” written by Jacobs herself.

Despite landing on multiple critics’ lists every year since it debuted, despite being voted one of the 10 best programs of the year by the American Film Institute Awards three years running, and despite being a three-time Peabody Award nominee, Reservation Dogs has earned one (1) Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Sound Editing. Aho, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voters! Heed our urgent plea: There’s still time to give Rehservation Dogs — and its extraordinary ensemble, including but not limited to Ms. Devery Jacobs — the honors they so richly deserve.

Should you need more convincing (and you really shouldn’t), read our conversation with Jacobs, who spoke with Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist about giving Elora and the res dogs the send-off they deserve, directing their costars, and why they really, really wants to be a guest judge on Top Chef.

Check out more from EW's The Awardist, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV.

THE AWARDIST: When did you first learn this would be the final season, and how did you process that?

DEVERY JACOBS: I think I'm still processing it. It's bittersweet that it's ending, but we can hold our heads high and we can feel just as strong, if not stronger, about the third season than we can after the first. In terms of when I found out, there were whispers in the writers' room halfway through filming the third season. So, it was around the time I was directing “Wahoo!” I was in a car with one of the writers. We were carpooling, and they said, “It's sounding like this might be it.”

Up until the end, there was still a possibility that it might continue — though it would look very different, because so many storylines were ending. On the last day [of filming], I knew for myself — even if the show was coming back following different characters or was maybe [set] in the 1970s following some of the characters we know and love when they were young — I knew Elora Danan was sent off on her way, and her journey [was over]. I knew this was the last time I would be playing Elora Danan, and I would be letting her go in Okmulgee and Muskogee territory. It was emotional filming the final scenes where we're in the church at the funeral for Old Man Fixico [Richard Ray Whitman], and me and Bear are saying our goodbyes. Those were real tears f---ing up our war paint. [Laughs]

Was it Sterlin’s decision to end the series?

Yeah, it was. I think he was hoping that there might've been a different iteration of Reservation Dogs, but [the way the series wrapped up] was so final. In my opinion, there was no way to continue. It was tough that the season came out during the strikes because we couldn't talk about it. We weren't able to post about it. Obviously, there was tremendous work being done on the front lines by all the members of the unions. It was definitely bittersweet. But I think the best way to go out is to leave people wanting more.

There are so many great episodes this season, I’ll just go chronologically. Episode 4, called “Friday,” is maybe the funniest one. The res dogs are punished for running away to California by having to work at the IHS clinic for the day. You got to share some scenes with Jon Proudstar, who plays Willie Jack’s dad, Leon. We hadn’t really seen your characters together much before. What was it like working with him?

Those were some of the first scenes back, and I think everybody was just excited to be back in Oklahoma despite it being tornado season. Yeah, I'd never really had a chance to work with Jon Proudstar before. He is just such an uncle. He gives such uncle energy on camera and off-camera. Also, IHS days were the best and easiest days; they were always so much fun because we weren't braving the elements [since we shot inside an office building]. It almost felt like a studio, so it made it just easier and fun. But getting to work opposite Jon, who is an incredibly talented actor in his own right, was just a treat. I think my favorite part about Reservation Dogs is just when you think you understand what the world is or who these people are, there’s [a new] combination of interactions between community members, which is always ridiculous and chaotic.

Related: The 20 best TV episodes of 2023

There are so many funny moments in that episode — like when Bev (Jana Schmieding) and Big (Zahn McClarnon) are flirting at the reception desk and Elora is cleaning nearby. How hard was it to keep it together?

Oh, my gosh. Okay, they are both hilarious. Jana Schmieding, I'm convinced, is the funniest Indian out there. It’s funny, a lot of that storyline was improvised and ended up becoming a running thread through the rest of the season of how they ended up getting together. But yeah, we were just letting them run wild, and meanwhile, I'm in the background reacting. That gum being pulled across [Laughs] — there were moments where I broke, I couldn't f---ing hold it together.

You made your TV directing debut with episode 6, “Wahoo!”, which centers on Elora’s late mother, Cookie. How did you come to direct that episode?

Sterlin is the person to designate different episodes depending on people's strengths. And I was so happy to learn that I was going to be directing “Wahoo!”, because with writing episode 9, “Elora’s Dad,” and then to go to directing the other episode, which is [about] Elora’s mom, that was especially cathartic. It helped that I was not in many scenes as Elora, so it meant I had the space and time to focus on the job at hand.

It was playing with the idea that Cookie was also just a kid, that she was a shitass. She was somebody who was not necessarily mature yet. She had a kid young, she’s silly, and she misses her kid, and she doesn't necessarily get to see her growing up in the way that she should have. Like we do with Res Dogs — one second, you're laughing and then you're crying, and just getting all those really great moments to send these characters off.

What was the most satisfying part of directing this episode?

I'll take so much away from that experience. I think having directed shorts before and different projects, that's one thing — but directing for television and making sure you're hitting your day because you're a director for hire feels like a whole other added pressure. There were different really rewarding moments. I think it was awesome to be able to uncover who Cookie is and find who she is with JaNae, and especially when we're introduced to her and her playfulness. And then also getting to direct D’Pharaoh and Sarah, people who I've worked with as an actor for so long. Finding those new moments from characters who we know already so intimately. That was fun, and I had such a home field advantage getting to direct on a set that I know so intimately.

Then you wrote episode 9, “Elora’s Dad,” which is a beautiful chronicle of Elora’s first meeting with her father, Rick Miller, played by Ethan Hawke. Did you ask to write this episode, or was it assigned to you?

It was assigned to me. I feel like with both seasons, the episodes where I was the most annoying, where I came in with the most ideas and the most notes and was just extra passionate, Sterlin was like, “Okay, you'll write this one. You have strong feelings.”

I would love to know more about how you crafted the character of Rick Miller. How did you decide what kind of guy he was going to be?

In writing Rick, I think it was important for us that we also saw he was young, and he was a s---ass, and he didn't really know what he was doing, and he wasn't malicious, he wasn't intentionally staying away, but also was at fault nonetheless, and takes accountability for that. I think it’s those reasons, with him not making excuses, that allows Elora to begin to open up. There's a lot of mistrust over this guy. That’s also one of the most beautiful parts of them coming together. True, Elora doesn't need Rick, but it is still nice for them to be able to connect regardless and for Elora to get more glimpses of her mom and who she was when she was alive through Rick, and to see that other side of her.

For us, there were nods and homages to Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, that trilogy in the “mumblecore” nature of the episode, which was just something that was really fun to play with. And crafting that episode, there were meaningful moments that were pulled from the stories of my family history that made it in there. I think my favorite line was, “You never get the first pancake right.”

That first conversation, at the diner, Elora is so reserved, to the point of terse — she’s protecting herself. How did you prepare for it?

I just had fun. It was like there are rare moments where it's just two people in a scene talking for the whole episode. I will say the first scene we shot was leaving Rick’s house, when they're waiting for the bus to show up, it's that one walking shot from exiting the house coming [down the street]. In it, Rick lights up and he asks Elora if she wants any weed. We don't ever really see Elora smoke in the show, but she's trying to be tough, trying to show she's grown. On set they gave us — it's not really real weed, it's like CBD weed, so there's no THC in it. But let me tell you, that relaxation that I got was helpful so I wouldn't be nervous working opposite motherf---ing Ethan Hawke. [Laughs] Once we were able to get that scene out of the way, I was like, “Okay, I feel comfortable.” And also, he's the sweetest, most professional person on set.

How did you and your costars mark the end of Reservation Dogs?

It has yet to happen. It still feels like we haven't ended. It feels like it's springtime, and we’re ready to go back to Oklahoma to shoot. We haven’t had the chance to [mark the end of the series], because the strikes were happening. We didn't have a chance to talk about them coming out or see each other again. We did get to come together for the Critics’ Choice Awards, which was really nice. But award shows are chaotic behind the scenes and aren't spaces where you really get to catch up.

But I know that we're going to be having a For Your Consideration event coming up soon where we'll all get to be together again, and I think what I'm hoping is that we get to use that point to really send the show off. This is our final chance to be able to hopefully garner an Emmy nom for the show that means not only so much to us but to our communities. There hasn't been that sense of closure yet, which is something I think we're all yearning for.

Related: Reservation Dogs star Devery Jacobs is charting new ground in front of the camera — and now behind it

What’s next for you?

I have been working for the past six years as a producer and actor on a feature film called Backspot, and that's a queer cheerleading drama, starring myself opposite Evan Rachel Wood. It's the directorial debut of D.W. Waterson who is a non-binary queer filmmaker, and our executive producer is Elliot Page. It's right up there with Reservation Dogs as one of the works that I'm most proud of as an actor. I got to show some of my old gymnastics moves. A lot of people don't know this, but I used to be a former competitive champion gymnast, and so I got to bust that out. We’re coming to theaters May 31st.

Finally, I heard you say in one interview that you have a dream role — well, it’s not really a role, but your dream gig is to be a guest judge on Top Chef. Any update on that front?

Oh, it’s in the process of being manifested. It hasn't been solidified just yet. I'm watching the latest season. After I've made my meal and I've chefed it up, then I watch Top Chef while I'm eating said meal. It hasn't happened yet though. I've further elaborated in manifesting this goal that there could be a Quickfire Challenge or something where we use the Three Sisters from my culture — corn, beans, and squash — in a dish. That's my manifestation happening in real time.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Listen to the full episode of The Awardist, also including Kristen Baldwin's updated predictions following Shōgun's move from limited to drama series, in the podcast below.

Important Emmys season dates

JUNE 13 — Nominations voting begins
JUNE 24, 10 p.m. — Nominations voting ends
JULY 17 — Nominations announced
AUG. 15 — Final voting begins
AUG. 26, 10 p.m. — Final voting ends
SEPT. 7 and 8 — Creative Arts Emmy Awards and Governors Gala
SEPT. 15 — 76th Emmy Awards and Governors Gala

2024 Emmy nomination predictions: Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama and Comedy Series

The Last of Us and Succession occupied the majority of the drama guest actor and actress categories in 2023, while Ted Lasso and The Bear snagged several of the comedy slots. But in 2024, The Bear is the only one among those that's still on the air and eligible. So who will make the cut this year? Here's who we think, right now, will land nominations. By Kristen Baldwin

Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Glenn Close, The New Look (Apple TV+)
Michaela Coel, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Lindsay Duncan, The Morning Show
Claire Foy, The Crown
Parker Posey, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
Sarah Paulson, Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Though both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman reprised their role as Queen Elizabeth in the final season of The Crown, only the former had enough screen time to qualify as a guest performer. But don't feel bad for Ms. Colman. (See comedy, below.) Meanwhile, one of the many pleasures of Mr. & Mrs. Smith is its guest stars, several of whom are in serious contention for a spot in this category. Paulson, meanwhile, also has a good shot in the guest category for comedy.

Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Ron Perlman, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
John Turturro, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Walton Goggins, Justified: City Primeval
Kyle MacLachlan, Fallout (Prime Video)
Michael Emerson, Fallout

Once again, expect Mr. & Mrs. Smith to take up the spots filled by Succession and The Last of Us at the 2023 Emmys. And if there is any justice in this world, Walton Goggins will add this nomination to his nods in comedy and drama for I'm a Virgo and Fallout, respectively.

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Jamie Lee Curtis, The Bear (FX on Hulu)
Sarah Paulson, The Bear
Olivia Colman, The Bear
J. Smith-Cameron, Hacks (Max)
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

One episode of television will dominate the guest categories for comedy: The Bear’s star-studded, hour-long family dinner fiasco, “Fishes.” And SNL usually snaps up at least two slots in the guest categories for its notable hosts. Wiig has earned three nominations for past hosting gigs, and 10-time nominee McKinnon hosted for the first time in December.

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

John Mulaney, The Bear
Jon Bernthal, The Bear
Bob Odenkirk, The Bear
Andrew Lopez, The Bear
Ryan Gosling, SNL
Timothée Chalamet, SNL

No, Lopez wasn't in "Fishes." As Garrett, the GM who clashed with and then won over Richie in "Forks," the actor delivered the single best line reading of the year.

See who else Kristen thinks is in the mix, and who she'd love to see get nominated.

Oughta Get a Nod: What We Do in the Shadows and Interview With the Vampire

What We Do in the Shadows is so consistently good. It usually squeezes in and snags a nomination for Best Comedy Series, but I would love to see it actually win. The writing is phenomenal. the production design is unreal, and the cast is extraordinary. I love this entire cast and I think they work so well as an ensemble — Keyvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén — but Matt Berry is the one I want to definitely shout out because I would love to see him get an individual nomination. I think his line readings alone are Emmy-worthy. This was a couple of seasons ago, but I still am thinking about the way he says the words "New York Citaay." He's incredible! I love this show and I'm so delighted by it. I think the entire cast deserves to get recognized. We see a lot of these movies that get re-imagined as TV shows all the time, and this, to me, is one of the most successful examples because it takes the same basic concept but has built it into something totally fresh and totally new with original performances, and I can't recommend it enough.... I love a lot of the shows that are in the comedy section, but I also love a comedy that's actually a comedy. What We Do in the Shadows a hundred percent is pure comedy at its purest form and is really top of the line. —Devan Coggan, EW Sr. Writer

Interview With the Vampire stars Sam Reed and Jacob Anderson both deserve a lot more recognition. This is the first year that the show is eligible for the Emmys — season 2 just premiered, so I think it's going to be fresher in people's minds — but what they did in season 1 as toxic vampire couple Lestat De Lioncourt and Louis De Point Du Lac was so beautiful and gorgeous but also so tragic. Lestat and Louis meet and Letsat turns Louis into a vampire and they fall in love, but a lot of things go wrong because Lestat is a sociopath, but every point of their relationship is so heartbreakingly beautiful and they really did some impressive work considering that they're following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, two little actors you may have heard of who brought these characters to life in the 1990s movie, but now, when I think of Lestat and Louis, I think of Sam and Jacob, which I never thought would be possible. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW Writer

Hear which other shows Devan and Sydney think should be nominated on The Awardist podcast, below.

Emmys Flashback

"Picture it: California, 1988. This is such a big thrill and I know that I can't take too much time, but I want to thank the immediate world.... And the reason that I'm standing up here, the three most beautiful, generous, wonderful, talented ladies: my daughter, Bea Arthur, and her two roommates, Rue McClanahan and Betty White.""

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.