The Film Experience

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