The Film Experience

Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple in "Ted Lasso"

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series may actually be the most competitive Emmy category this time. At the very least it's the one with the largest number of high-caliber candidates who deserve a spot. The list of returning possibilities is about as short as in any other category this year. Two-time winner Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) is angling for her eighth consecutive bid. Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live) was nominated last year, and Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is a previous honoree who could return again. Though it’s not technically for the same show but for the same role, Laurie Metcalf (The Conners) is a past nominee, and a three-time winner. There’s also Bette Midler (The Politician), who earned her show’s only major nomination last year as a guest and is now eligible here. Let’s go over the rest of the field…

NEW CONTENDERS
I remember watching Ted Lasso and The Flight Attendant and thinking how good the entire casts were and wishing that there was some way for them to be recognized for their work. Fortunately, the popularity of those two shows spells very good odds for the wonderful women from both. From the former, Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple seem like great bets, while Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet, and Michelle Gomez are all possible for the latter.

Rosie Perez in "The Flight Attendant"

Hannah Einbinder in "Hacks"

Aside from those two shows, I really hope that there’s room for Hannah Einbinder (Hacks). I’d make the argument, as would surely most of our readers, that she’s a lead, but she’s a formidable member of the cast in any case and absolutely deserves an Emmy nomination. Her costar Kaitlin Olson (Hacks) might garner votes, but her role is much less substantial (which is why it’s correctly placed in the supporting category, of course). Martha Plimpton (Genera+ion) is the most familiar face on a show mostly populated by younger actors, and has three Emmy nominations and one trophy already. From other new series, Busy Phillips (Girls5eva) and Paula Pell (Girls5eva) could show up, as could Ashley Park (Emily in Paris).

EXISTING SHOWS
There are a number of actresses from returning series who could earn their first nominations for these roles. Naomi Ackie (Master of None) was a fantastic addition to a third season of Netflix’s relationship dramedy that looked very different, and she has a full episode in which she’s the only featured player. Kathleen Turner (The Kominsky Method) had an expanded part in the final season of her show, and Sarah Baker (The Kominsky Method) would also be a great choice.

Kathleen Turner in "The Kominsky Method"

Saturday Night Live has no shortage of potential new nominees, including Melissa Villaseñor, Chloe Fineman, and Ego Nwodim. Judith Light (The Politician) was an expected nominee last year in the guest category, and she has a solid Emmy track record that could allow her to be included if voters express any enthusiasm for the show. Mary Steenburgen (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) would be a sentimental choice for a now-cancelled show.

I’d like to put in an official plug for the women of Dickinson, who should be easy choices if voters are actually watching the show. Both Anna Baryshnikov and Ella Hunt are superb, and Jane Krakowski is an Emmy-friendly nominee with five previous bids, for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and 30 Rock. How long do we have to wait for this underrated Apple TV+ show to be rewarded?

Anna Baryshnikov in "Dickinson"

This is the first category we've predicted where we have the benefit of knowing exactly how many nominees there will be since the ballots are now officially out and we can do the math. That number is seven, which will be the lowest count for this category since 2017.

Predictions (alpha order):

Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Zosia Mamet (The Flight Attendant)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Rosie Perez (The Flight Attendant)
Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live)
Juno Temple (Ted Lasso)
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso)

Who do you think is out front here in a very competitive race?

more on the upcoming Emmys