Emmy Watch: Who will be up for Comedy Actress?
Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 6:40PM
The "what will be nominated at the Emmys?" conversation continues. Today: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Last year, this category was upended in a major way, with just one of the six eligible previous nominees – winner Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) returning to the lineup. 2020, then, could be a good chance for any of the booted five to rejoin the race, as three of last year’s nominees won’t be back. Past winners Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) will have to wait for new series to bring them back since those shows have ended, and Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) will probably return whenever her show does, which won’t be this season. It’s fair to assume that the other three nominees will be back: Brosnahan, Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), whose show just aired its series finale and who is definitely the fan favorite (of this site), and Christina Applegate (Dead to Me), whose second season will in fact arrive on time for Emmy consideration…
The past four years:
The two contenders left off last year whose shows are still buzzing are Pamela Adlon (Better Things) and Issa Rae (Insecure), both of whose series are currently airing their latest episodes. The timing can't hurt.
It’s definitely possible that Allison Janney (Mom), Tracie Ellis Ross (Black-ish), and either Lily Tomlin or Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) could earn a return nomination, but there’s nothing to suggest any new attention will be paid to them this year. In the same way that costar Eric McCormack might be welcomed back to the race for the show’s real final season, Debra Messing (Will & Grace) could too. She netted five bids and one win between 2000 and 2006, and she got a Golden Globe nomination in 2019 for the series’ latest iteration.
The likeliest newbie to be nominated in this category is two-time Emmy winner Merritt Wever (Run), whose show just premiered a week ago. I would have put Golden Globe nominee Kirsten Dunst (On Becoming a God in Central Florida) as a strong contender, but her show has been ruled a drama and will compete in those races instead. I’d absolutely love to see Daisy Haggard (Breeders) as a nominee, but I think that’s wishful thinking for a low-profile show. Other possibilities include Awkwafina (Awkwafina is Nora from Queens), Jane Levy (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), and Zoe Kravitz (High Fidelity), but I don’t think any of them can muster enough support for their shows.
We also can't rule out two actresses who haven’t been nominated before despite their shows earning other major bids. Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me), who I believe would do better if she switched to the supporting race, wasn’t listed alongside costar Applegate last year, but is a likelier addition this year. Kristen Bell (The Good Place), didn’t manage a bid for the first three seasons of her show, but its swan song might mean that she can join costar Ted Danson as a nominee.
So, where does this leave us? While there are actually a solid number of contenders, this particular year doesn't appear to be all that volatile. But maybe we’ll get a surprise or two!
Predictions:
- Pamela Adlon (Better Things
- Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
- Rachel Brosnahan (Marvelous Mrs Maisel)
- Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me)
- Catherine O'Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
- Merrit Wever (Run)
Which actresss do you think will make the cut for 2020?
PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS
Reader Comments (22)
it will be a katzenjammer of a show if it's anyone other than catherine o'hara
Ok, I'm Canadian and perhaps I'm biased, but... I would give the Emmy to Catherine O'Hara just for the way she says "Bebe"" or for the way she wears those amazing costumes. But mostly I would give the Emmy to O'Hara for creating one of the best comic creations since Jennifer Saunders gave us Edina Monsoon. It's O'Hara's talent that makes Moira Rose a many faceted and endlessly funny character with a heart. She's given us so much, can't she be given just one gold statue? (plus think of the acceptance speech).
I'm not saying she will make the cut, but who should get nominated this year (as with last year) is Aidy Bryant for Shrill. Her performance in season two was even better, more layered and rich than the first season, and I hope that Emmy voters are paying attention.
That Mrs. Maisel photo gave me Jan as Michelle Visage in Glamazonian Airways vibes! #JusticeForJan
Thanks again for the article.
I agree with those six as well. I really can't see anyone else making it.
Maybe Kristen Bell or Awkwafina ....
I still think Allison Janney is hilarious on Mom.
Catherine O'Hara should win, not just be nominated.
@Mareko I’d love to see Bryant nominated. I just think her show is too low-profile, but it Could happen!
I’m not certain Linda Cardellini will make it in. She’s good, but her character just isn’t as Emmy friendly as most of the other’s in this category. She also feels like she’s supporting Applegate, which doesn’t help.
I’d love to see Issa Rae return. She’s doing great work on her show, and I think it would be well earned. Lily and Jane are fun, and it would be great to have them back in the mix as well
This is the first season of The Good Place where I felt Bell was the MVP. She really carried the show's emotional arc, which is more apparent this season since there are less twists and turns.
Not saying a nomination will happen, but Jane Levy has a real standout episode that she could submit. A bit atypical for the series, but VERY Emmy-friendly.
Hope Cardellini makes it in. She was the equal of Applegate in season 1 and brava to her for not category frauding herself into Supporting.
Mareko -- ooh, good call. I dont think she was quite deserving for Season 1 even though I like th show alot but I was really floored and how much she's been able to deepen the show/her performance in season 2. Great stuff. So FYC AIDY BRYANT.
Pretty sure Cardinelli isn't eligible unless a new season comes out in the next month, right?
Orrin -- they have apparently announced that the new season is coming out in time.
Orrin - it comes out in a couple of weeks
I'm rooting for O'Hara to win but I hope Bell gets nominated. She has been solid since season one and has grown so much and deleveloped the character a lot in the next seasons. Watch people react to the finale on YouTube and everyone is crying during her Paris confession scene.
Please give Catherine O'Hara her Emmy win already! The woman is a comedy legend and she is simply perfect in Schitt's Creek, creating a strong comic force with her amazing co-stars. Anyone who has seen the last episode of Season 6 will agree with me. Her perfomance makes me want to move to Canada! That's how good she is！
It would be sad to see Alison Brie go the whole run of GLOW without a mention.
Michael C - I just don't get why she's never been nominated yet for Glow.
its got to be O'Hara for the win , she is absolutely captivating, the accents, the hair , the script ... which I know are other people but my god... her delivery is FAULTLESS ... if she can't win an acting comedy Emmy for this then I don't know what... and yes I know she has an Emmy but that was for writing years ago.... best comedy tv actress ... its a given surely !!!
i really enjoyed this article…very informative for everyone..best regards
Has to be Catherine Ohara for the win! Hers is truly a one of a kind character that she truly made a masterpiece and that everyone loves. She should win this! Istg, if not then wow how rigged must these awards be?!?