This is the fifth instalment in our evolving series of 2022 Oscar predictions. We’ve already tackled the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best International Film categories. Today, it’s Best Supporting Actress.

The Best Supporting Actress category is all over the place this year. There are currently 12 potential contenders who can sneak into the final five. A narrative hasn’t necessarily emerged, but one imagines it’ll revolve around Kirsten Dunst finally getting her due for the incredible work she does in “The Power of the Dog.”

CONTENDERS

Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)
Caitrona Bell (Belfast)
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)
Ruth Negga (Passing)
Judi Dench (Belfast)

POTENTIALS

Ann Dowd (Mass)
Marlee Maitlin (CODA)
Rebecca Ferguson (Dune)
Sally Hawkins (Spencer)
Gabby Hoffman (C’mon C’mon)
Martha Plimpton (Mass)
Molly Parker (Jockey)
Regina King (The Harder They Fall)
Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)
Dakota Johnson (The Lost Daughter)

NOT YET SEEN

Meryl Streep (Don’t Look Up)
Naomi Harris (Swan Song)
Cate Blanchett (Nightmare Alley)
Nina Arianda (Being the Ricardos)
Ariana DeBose (West Side Story)

If it were up to me, Kirsten Dunst would be the runaway winner in this category and, as it stands, she is the de facto frontrunner. Belfast’s Caitríona Balfe is not too far behind and is being touted by some pundits as the actual frontrunner. It’s a well-delivered and understated performance from Balfe, the Irish actress best known for the Starz series “Outlander.”

Among those not seen yet, the biggest name is Meryl Streep, who plays the MAGA-esque U.S. president in Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up.” Streep, who has the record for the most Oscar nominations by any actor, could easily garner her 22nd nomination here.

However, watch out for Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), playing Brandi Williams, mom to Serena and Venus, wife to Richard. The Mississippi-born actress has been around for nearly three decades, espousing her role as a character actress on TV and film. Her inevitable nomination in this category would be one of the great stories of Oscars 2022.