Emmy Watch: Which Newcomer Will Win Best Comedy Actress?
Friday, June 11, 2021 at 12:27PM
Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major Emmy races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks. Today, we’re looking at Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
All hail the summer of Jean Smart!
By: Christopher James
The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series race is going to get a shakeup. There are no previous winners who are eligible this year. Additionally, only one nominee from last year could return, as all other previous nominees are on hiatus or had their series end. Luckily, there are many buzzy new shows led by talented women who could fill this vacuum and make this once again a very competitive category. There’s also the potential for plenty of surprises from new streaming players and old network stalwarts.
So which new players can break in this year? Can shows that have been on for multiple seasons finally have a shot in this shortlist?
Could the fifth time be the charm for "black-ish" star Tracee Ellis Ross?
The Returning Nominees
The only person from last year returning is Tracee Ellis Ross, who has earned four nominations for her role as Rainbow “Bow” Johnson in black-ish on ABC. Even in its seventh season, the show continues to stay in the conversation. Plus, Ross has made her jump into the movies this past year with The High Note. She will likely hang in for another year, especially with so few returning figures.
After a couple years out of the field, Allison Janney will likely return for Mom thanks to the low competition and the fact that it was the show’s final season. Janney won two Emmys in supporting for her role as Bonnie, a recovering alcoholic grandmother. Following those wins, she was able to make the transition from Supporting to Lead Actress, where she received two nominations. She’s an Emmy favorite and I wouldn’t count out her return.
With Catherine O'Hara out of the way, could Golden Globes/SAG/Critics Choice nominee Kaley Cuoco take home the gold?
The Freshman Series Stars
There are a slew of promising newcomers to consider. The most recent entry into the TV landscape is HBO Max’s Hacks, which just aired its finale this week. Jean Smart is incredibly fantastic as the Joan Rivers-esque comedienne Deborah Vance. Not only that, we are going through a Smart renaissance, between this and Watchmen and Mare of Easttown. There’s a very good chance that Smart wins in a landslide. She’s that good.
Her biggest challenger comes from a show that can barely be classified as a comedy. The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco made a splash in HBO Max’s thriller The Flight Attendant. Cuoco stars as a drunken flight attendant who wakes up next to a dead man and must stay one step ahead of the police and a murderer. She’s been the only performer eligible this year who has been nominated for all three major precursors - SAG, Golden Globes and Critics Choice. She was an early favorite, but it’s possible that Smart has eclipsed her buzz. We’ve never seen a comic thriller win in this category, though The Flight Attendant might be a different beast.
Speaking of Golden Globe nominees, headlines were made when Lily Collins was nominated for Emily in Paris, a show many love to hate. The show was unquestionably a hit. However, it remains to be seen if the Emmys will follow in the Globes’ footsteps and nominate Collins. Judging by the ridicule the HFPA got, it’s likely the Television Academy won’t.
First-time network Peacock could have a major contender in Girls5Eva from producers Tina Fey and Robert Karlock. This winning combination spun up a show about a 90s one-hit-wonder girl group trying to make a run at fame two years later. Hamilton star Renee Elise Goldsberry is the clear standout of the show, as the member who feigns a life of success. If voters really love the show, they could even extend a nomination to Sara Bareilles, who is the “straight man” of the group. Still, it’s likely Goldsberry or bust.
HBO Max has one more contender in the mix - Cristin Millioti for Made for Love. The high concept futuristic comedy has some passionate fans, but is a bit more niche interest. Millioti has been building a following from How I Met Your Mother to Palm Springs and feels overdue for awards attention. However, it doesn’t feel like there’s enough passion or viewership for the show.
One should always fear network comedies and previous nominees. If there’s a vacancy in this category, it’s possible that Big Bang Theory favorite Mayim Bialik could sneak in for Call Me Kat, the American remake of Miranda. Even Sara Gilbert from The Conners could have an outside shot (they did nominate Laurie Metcalf in the heat of the Roseanne controversy).
Middle school isn't easy. Could Anna Konkle (left) and Maya Erskine (right) wind up with Emmy nominations for returning to their awkward pasts?
Coattails From Emmy Favorites
Last year, Hulu’s acclaimed show Pen15 earned a surprising writing nomination. The second season upped the ante for the offbeat show about pre-teens at the turn of the century. It’s clear that voters are watching the show, so it is poised for a big year at the Emmys for season two. Will one or both of the women make it in? It's hard to pick a favorite between Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. Both are incredible as grown women playing pre-teen versions of themselves. They are two peas of the same pod and both give incredible performances. Both stars could easily earn nominations like a package deal.
Speaking of Emmy favorites, Master of None has won multiple Emmys and earned tons of nominations in its first two seasons. Granted, that was four years ago. This season, “Moments in Love,” centers around Lena Waithe’s Denise, who was the subject of season 2’s Emmy winning episode “Thanksgiving.” Voters clearly love Waithe, but has their affection for Master of None waned? “Moments in Love” is much more dramatic, the reviews are a bit less stellar and Naomi Ackie is the real standout as Denise’s wife, Alicia.
Can Apple TV+ get Hailee Steinfeld an Emmy nomination to go along with her Oscar nomination?
Potential Breakthroughs
Comedy is tragedy plus time. Maybe that also applies at the Emmys, where it can take them some time to catch on to great comedies. Most recently, Issa Rae took three years before she was recognized for her performance in Insecure. Despite being a high profile HBO show, it still took time for the show’s following to grow large enough to include Emmy voters.
Heading into the season, Jane Levy was the most likely person to ride this distinction to a nomination. Her performance in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist earned her a Golden Globe nod. However, the show was recently cancelled. While fans are clamoring for it to be revived, the Emmys don’t often go for cancelled shows, only planned final seaons. Plus, the Globes are more kind to specifically musical shows (see Golden Globe winner Rachel Bloom for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend who should’ve won multiple Emmys).
If there’s a dark horse, it could be Apple TV+’s Dickinson star Hailee Steinfeld. The second season of the show was a huge critical hit and the former Oscar nominee is tackling an iconic literary figure. With Apple TV+ getting The Morning Show an acting win last year and likely having an Emmys hit with Ted Lasso this season, they could swing success with Dickinson as well with smart campaigning.
When the lineup is wide open, the possibility for a sketch comedy artist to sneak in increases. Both Sarah Silverman and Amy Schumer have done it in the past. Last season, A Black Lady Sketch Show surprised with a nomination for Angela Bassett in Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. If there’s a vacancy, Robin Thede could break in as the lead of the show.
Other possibilities for long running shows include Alia Shawkat (Search Party) and Aidy Bryant (Shrill).
PREDICTIONS
- Jean Smart - Hacks
- Tracee Ellis Ross - black-ish
- Allison Janney - Mom
- Kaley Cuoco - The Flight Attendant
- Maya Erskine - Pen15
- Anna Konkle - Pen15
Who are you rooting for in Best Actress in a Comedy Series this year?
more on the upcoming Emmys
- COMEDY
- Actress Comedy
- Actor Comedy
- Supporting Actress, Comedy
- Supporting Actor, Comedy
- DRAMA
- Actress Drama
- Actor Drama
- Supporting Actress, Drama
- Supporting Actor, Drama
- MORE...
- Emmy Ballots
- FYC The Handmaid's Tale
- FYC Marielle Heller, Queen's Gambit
- FYC Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
- FYC I May Destroy You
- FYC For All Mankind
Black-ish, Emmys, Hacks, Jean Smart, Mom, Pen15, Punditry, The Flight Attendant
Reader Comments (29)
This conversation feels moot, I think we all would be shocked if it's anyone but Jean Smart. It's a role and performance tailor made to basically make this category non-competitive for as long as "Hacks" airs.
Jean Smart will certainly win her fourth Emmy for Hacks (two previous wins for Fraser and one for Samantha Who?).
I do think you are underestimating the potential of a nomination for Smart’s foil, Hannah Einbinder, as Ava. She is very good and has that legacy factor, being the daughter of original SNL cast member Laraine Newman.
I have my doubts about the Pen15 duo getting nominated because if Maya and Anna couldn't even get Critics Choice nominations, I don't see the Emmys going for them.
Smart, Cuoco, and Ellis Ross are the only ones I feel safe will be nominated. The more I think about, the more I think Renee Elise Goldsberry is making the lineup. Despite her show get cancelled, I have Jane Levy in. I'm going with Robin Thede for the final spot as just a random guess lol.
Is Nasim Pedrad eligible for Chad? She is so perfectly cringeworthy as a 14-year-old boy. That show is hilarious, and she disappears into the role, making Chad totally revolting and loveable at the same time. She would get my vote. Jean Smart is fabulous, but four or five episodes in, Hacks has been underwhelming for me.
Jean Smart is indeed having a moment. I hope somebody puts her in a movie so she can win an Oscar next year while the moment lasts.
It's clearly the time of women in comedy and comedy/drama; so many great shows.
In addition to the leads in HACKS, I also love these for consideration at next year's Emmys:
Rose Matafeo in STARSTRUCK
Anjana Vasan in WE ARE LADY PARTS (her co-stars are also great)
Alia Shawkat in SEARCH PARTY (getting a 5th season, so maybe there's a chance for her)
Anna Maxwell Martin in MOTHERLAND (my gawd, she's such a versatile actress)
Daisy Haggard in BACK TO LIFE (getting a 2nd season) and BREEDERS
Is there any particular reason why the Emmy categories are being titled "best" instead of "outstanding leading" as they actually are? It's so random and jarring.
Agreed that Jean Smart can sail to a supporting Oscar in the next few years. When you have the type of momentum she has, these things happen easily.
Jean Smart is AMAZING on hacks. The other lead is awful. Makes the show unbalanced.
Hope Jean Smart wins so she can have one of each comedy award: lead, supporting, guest. She should also easily be double nominated this year for Mare. All for her gaining Oscar traction with the right film, though like the Great Christine Baranski, her career has been mostly geared toward television (a loss for cinema).
Of course, no love for Marvel towards Elizabeth Olsen, Kathryn Hahn, and Teyonah Parrish. You guys are fascists.
@thevoid99: WandaVision is competing in the Miniseries category, not the Comedy category. I think all three of the women you mentioned have a shot in categories on that side.
Jean Smart has been slowly building the goodwill to win since her Samantha Who? days. I suspect she'll win this in a cakewalk unless HBO really pushes Cuoco. What' gives Smart the edge is that this is her first real lead role. I think people will like that narrative (and she recently lost her husband, a regular TV actor).
I'm surprised Renee Elise Goldsberry has opted to go lead, but I really hope she gets nominated. She's quite strong on her show, both fitting the Fey mode, but also transcending it. If she gets in, I'd say she has an outside shot at winning.
I adore Jean Smart on HACKS but find the rest of the cast nearly unwatchable. If anything, Smart deserves an Emmy for still giving a completely magnetic performance while acting alongside such amateurish actors.
I really hope PEN15 earns some well-deserved nominations. I haven't laughed so hard at a show since.... I can't remember. Old school South Park?
@thevoud99- there is an Emmy with Kathryn Hahn's name on it but it's in the limited series category. I'm not sure anyone beats her there.
poor Kaley Cuoco, after losing to Catherine O'Hara all the awards at the end of the year, her Emmy started to looked so safe like, 2 months ago . At least she secured a second season of her series
Jean Smart is loved and respected for her previous work going all the way back to "Designing Women". With that amount of goodwill, and a very showy lead part...that Emmy is hers.
(and rightfully so)
Annie Murphy will win her 2nd Emmy for Kevin Can F Himself.
Jean Smart...2 Emmys this year No other accepted outcome.
I really hope Jane Levy will be nominated but with the show being cancelled it'll be hard.
Maya and Anna both being nominated will be great!
Annie Murphy is ineligible since the show premiered after the eligibility deadline. She’ll be in next year’s race.
I actually think Kaley Cuoco has more of a shot than lots of people are considering. It all depends on whether voters go for HACKS. I think they will (and should), but if Smart is the only nominee from her show, I think it might be a harder road than expected.
I have not seen Hacks... but I did see Mare of Easttown and she was great in that.
I want Kaley Cuoco to deservedly win this.
Her performance is jaw dropping in The Flight Attendant.
I feel like Girls5eva could get an actress in lead (Renée Elise Goldsberry or Sara Bareilles depending on their taste) and one actress in supporting (Busy Philipps or more likely Paula Pell coming off a star making turn in A.P. Bio). I've only just finished the episode with Tina Fey playing an imagined Dolly Parton and as a former Guest Actress in A Comedy winner I think she will be back for this freaking hilarious turn. Just my two...er, three cents.
I think your Girls5eva synopsis is wrong. Two years later? Did you mean decades? Love your Claudio-like ability to hear constructive criticism without getting defensive. Look how amazing your article is with the past winners in bold on the chart! That’s growth folks.
Honestly hesitant to predict Smart after she lost for both FARGO and WATCHMEN as the overwhelming favorite. Wondering if this could be Ross's year instead?
Renee Elise Goldsberry would be a slamdunk winner if she were in supporting. I think that show in terms of category placement makes sense to me as either Sara Bareilles in lead and the other three women in supporting or all four in lead, but obviously that's just not how awards campaigns work. I hope she makes it in, but I would imagine it's hard when so much of her competition are in star vehicles.
Jean Smart is MAGNIFICENT in "Hacks," my favorite comic performance since Catherine O'Hara in "Schitt's Creek." And while I feel stupid for mentioning anyone but my fave, Jane Levy remains underrated for the too little seen "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist." Every week, she gave a juggernaut of a performance, even when her character's choices were questionable. I would love for her to at least get a nomination...but the statue already has Queen Jean's name on it.
I’m weary, but pray you’re correct about the PEN15 ladies. 🙏🏻