Emmy Predictions: Lead Actress (Comedy) – Will Quinta Brunson Become the Second Black Woman Ever to Win the Category?

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UPDATED: April 27, 2023

2023 Emmy Predictions:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Somebody Somewhere.Bridget Everett.Credit: HBO HBO Weekly Commentary: Quinta Brunson made Emmy history with Abbott Elementary last year. She received three nominations for outstanding comedy series, lead actress in a comedy, and writing for a comedy series (for the Pilot), becoming the first Black woman to earn three noms in the comedy categories in the same year. In addition, at 32, Brunson became the youngest Black woman nominated in the comedy acting category.

The hilarity of Black women on television has been sorely missed and ignored by the Television Academy over multiple decades. However, this years slate of outstanding lead and supporting comedy actress seem to be the two spots preventing an #EmmysSoWhite moment.

In lead actress comedy, only seven Black women have been nominated since its inception in 1966 Diahann Carroll (Julia), Isabel Sanford (The Jeffersons), Nell Carter (Gimme a Break!), Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary). Sanford is still the only Black woman to win the category in 1981.

With Jean Smart (Hacks) out of the running this year, the road could be clear for the creator to walk away with the Emmy prize.

Kerry Washington is brilliant on the Hulu comedy series Unprisoned alongside Delroy Lindo. Despite being an Emmy winner (for outstanding variety special for Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times'), shes never won for acting despite noms for the limited series Little Fires Everywhere, the TV Movie Confirmation and for the drama series Scandal. The series is new for her, and she pulls off a complicated role with heart and sincerity, which the TV Academy could find intriguing.

Selena Gomez, the influential superstar of Hulus Only Murders in the Building, was unfortunately omitted from the lead actress in a comedy category for the shows first season. However, for her second outing as the dry-witted Mabel, shes even better, making the chances of another omission look even worse for the TV Academy.

But theres hope. With a seemingly less competitive race for lead actress comedy this time, Gomezs chances are better, especially with consecutive winner Jean Smart from Hacks out of the running this year. As a result, one of the likely six coveted slots (depending on overall submission numbers) could belong to her.

Nominated for outstanding comedy series as one of the executive producers for the first season, Gomez made history as the third Latina ever recognized after Salma Hayek (Ugly Betty) and Marlis Pujol (The Kominsky Method). Shell be seeking a double nom this time around.

And then there are the underappreciated performers, who are still hoping for recognition after multiple seasons and years in the biz. Among those are Bridget Everett of Somebody Somewhere and Robin Thede of A Black Lady Sketch Show, both from HBO.

Emmy Nominations voting runs from June 15-26. The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 12. Check back every Thursday for the latest updates. All information is preliminary and is subject to change.

And the Predicted Nominees Are:Quinta Brunson Abbott Elementary (ABC)Natasha Lyonne Poker Face (Peacock)Rachel Brosnahan The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)Elle Fanning The Great (Hulu)Bridget Everett Somebody Somewhere (HBO)Jenna Ortega Wednesday (Netflix) Next in LineChristina Applegate Dead to Me (Netflix)Selena Gomez Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Kerry Washington Unprisoned (Hulu)Robin Thede A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO) Other Top-Tier PossibilitiesAmy Schumer Inside Amy Schumer (Paramount+)Natasia Demtriou What We Do in the Shadows (FX)Maya Rudolph Loot (Apple TV+)Tatiana Maslany She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Disney+)Ana Gasteyer American Auto (Peacock)Helne Yorke The Other Two (HBO)Cecily Strong Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Linda Cardellini Dead to Me (Netflix)Devery Jacobs Reservation Dogs (FX)Rose McIver Ghosts (CBS) All Eligible Titles (Alphabetized by Network)**Quinta Brunson Abbott Elementary (ABC)Sara Gilbert The Conners (ABC)Wendi McLendon-Covey The Goldbergs (ABC)Caitlin McGee Home Economics (ABC)Maya Rudolph Loot (Apple TV+)Charlotte Nicdao Mythic Quest (Apple TV+)Rose Byrne Physical (Apple TV+)Cecily Strong Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Folake Olowofoyeku Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS)Rose McIver Ghosts (CBS)Ginger Gonzaga True Lies (CBS)Awkwafina Nora From Queens (Comedy Central)Tatiana Maslany She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Disney+)Mayim Bialik Call Me Kat (Fox)Yara Shahidi Grown-ish (Freeform)Martha Plimpton Sprung (Freevee)Devery Jacobs Reservation Dogs (FX)Natasia Demetriou What We Do in the Shadows (FX)Robin Thede A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)Sarah Lancashire Julia (HBO)Helne Yorke The Other Two (HBO)Bridget Everett Somebody Somewhere (HBO)Elle Fanning The Great (Hulu)Hilary Duff How I Met Your Father (Hulu)Selena Gomez Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Mae Whitman Up Here (Hulu)Ana Gasteyer American Auto (NBC)Mayan Lopez Lopez vs. Lopez (NBC)Melissa Rauch Night Court (NBC)Melissa Fumero Blockbuster (Netflix)Christina Applegate Dead to Me (Netflix)Linda Cardellini Dead to Me (Netflix)Lily Collins Emily in Paris (Netflix)Jenna Ortega Wednesday (Netflix)Marisa Davila Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+)Amy Schumer Inside Amy Schumer (Paramount+)Natasha Lyonne Poker Face (Peacock)Cristin Milioti The Resort (Peacock)Meagan Good Harlem (Prime Video)Chant Adams A League of Their Own (Prime Video)Abbi Jacobsen A League of Their Own (Prime Video)Melia Kreiling Mammals (Prime Video)Rachel Brosnahan The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video) ** This official list and category submission is not yet complete or confirmed and is subject to change.

2022 category winner: Jean Smart Hacks (HBO) Season 2

Emmy Awards Predictions Categories DRAMA SERIES | COMEDY SERIES | LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES | TV MOVIE | LEAD ACTOR (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTOR (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | LEAD ACTRESS (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTRESS (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | TALK SERIES | SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES | GAME SHOW | DIRECTING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | WRITING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | VARIETY SKETCH, SERIES, SPECIALS |

Creative Arts and Other Emmy Categories GUEST ACTING, VOICE-OVER | SHORT FORM | DOCUMENTARY | MUSIC | ANIMATED |

About the Primetime Emmy Awards The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors, artisans, and executives.