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Emmys: Supporting Actress (Drama) – Could Jennifer Coolidge be the New Maggie Smith and Will Carol Burnett Make History at 90 Years Old?

'The White Lotus' and 'Better Call Saul' are among the shows with multiple contenders in the running

Christina Ricci -- Rhea Seehorn -- Jennifer Coolidge -- Elizabeth Debicki
Showtime / AMC / HBO / Netflix

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: 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 personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:

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2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Carol Burnett as Marion, Bob Odenkirk as Gene – Better Call Saul Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Weekly Commentary (Updated June 20, 2023): After a Screen Actors Guild Awards win for lead drama actress, Jennifer Coolidge remains the front-runner in supporting drama actress for HBO’s “The White Lotus.” Coming off her win for playing heiress Tanya McQuoid in Mike White’s hit series, she could join the likes of Maggie Smith (“Downton Abbey”) who was the last person to win in both limited and drama categories for the same role. “Downton Abbey” also competed as a limited before returning and getting the boot into drama by the TV Academy.

However, that’s not the only history that could be made on the Emmy docket.

Diversity is more than ethnicity (although all hopes seem to be resting on half Latina Aubrey Plaza to represent in this category), and we’re seeing a trending number of roles for older actors in the biz. As a result, veteran Carol Burnett, 90, could become the oldest woman nominated for acting if she picks up a supporting drama actress nom for the final season of AMC’s “Better Call Saul.”

With Sarah Snook in the lead drama actress race, her co-star J. Smith Cameron has a clear path for trying for her first statuette for playing Gerry on “Succession.” Her co-star Justine Lupe who plays the new bride Willa is also in this category but isn’t expected to make much noise (but who knows how much Emmys will vote for “Succession” down the ballot).

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Emmy predictions in all categories.

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:


  1. Jennifer Coolidge — “The White Lotus” (HBO)
  2. Rhea Seehorn — “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
  3. Elizabeth Debicki — “The Crown” (Netflix)
  4. J. Smith Cameron — “Succession” (HBO)
  5. Christina Ricci — “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
  6. Meghann Fahy — “The White Lotus” (HBO)
  7. Carol Burnett — “Better Call Saul” (AMC)
  8. Aubrey Plaza — “The White Lotus” (HBO)

Next in Line


  1. Olivia Cooke — “House of the Dragon” (HBO)
  2. Lesley Manville — “The Crown” (Netflix)

Other Top-Tier Possibilities


  1. Sabrina Impacciatore — “The White Lotus” (HBO)
  2. Ann Dowd — “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
  3. Justine Lupe — “Succession” (HBO)
  4. Yvonne Strahovski — “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
  5. Milly Alcock — “House of the Dragon” (HBO)
  6. Jennifer Ehle — “1923” (Paramount+)
  7. Simone Kessell — “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
  8. Sophie Thatcher — “Yellowjackets” (Showtime)
  9. Anne-Marie Duff — “Bad Sisters” (Apple TV+)
  10. Haley Lu Richardson — “The White Lotus” (HBO)

All Eligible Titles (Alphabetized by Network)**