Comedy Predictions for Emmys Lead Actress 2024

Variety The Awards Circuit section is home to all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring: The official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect the personal preferences of any individual participant. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Forecasts are updated every Thursday.

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Emmy predictions for 2024:
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Weekly Commentary (Updated: May 9, 2024): HBO/Max’s third season “Hacks” has hit the ground running and, dare I say, is sprinting well ahead of its competitors. Creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky have created a storyline for Jean Smart and her co-star Hannah Einbender that is so compelling that it could catapult them both (and the series) to the top of their categories. this Emmy season. And as for Smart, after pausing production in February 2023 due to a heart procedure, the revival and admiration for the acting veteran isn’t just expected — it feels like a guarantee. After all, with five Emmys under her belt, Hollywood loves a comeback.

As for Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” the spotlight is firmly on Selena Gomez, who, after being blatantly rejected by the Television Academy for two years, now has her biggest shot yet at an acting nod (C’ mon Academy, don’t make her dirty again). Her precarious status – surrounded by heavy hitters like Steve Martin, Martin Short, Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep, one wonders: will the TV Academy dare to overlook her again? With friends like that, who needs an Emmy…or do they?

Meanwhile, on “The Bear,” Ayo Edebiri is shifting her campaign gear to the main category for the show’s second season, already basking in the glow of Golden Globe and SAG awards. Will she set up a comedic showdown with last year’s Emmy darling, Quinta Brunson, from “Abbott Elementary”? Looks like a comical collision course is in store!

And let’s not overlook the comic heroes. ‘Palm Royale’s Kristen Wiig could be meeting with her ‘Saturday Night Live’ sister, Maya Rudolph, who is looking for an Emmy for ‘Loot’ on Apple TV+. It’s shaping up to be a battle of the network stars, so keep your eye on the prize.

Emmy entries are due Thursday, May 9. The deadline for entry into all series ending with their series is May 31. The nomination voting round is open from June 13 to June 24.

Read: Variety Awards Circuit for the latest Primetime Emmy predictions in the major categories.