Emmy Predictions: Supporting Actress (Comedy) — Despite 132 Names on the Ballot, It’s Time for Lisa Ann Walter’s First Nod for ‘Abbott Elementary’
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:
OSCARS | EMMYS | GRAMMYS | TONYS
2024 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Weekly Commentary (Updated: June 18, 2024): Last year, four Black women were nominated in the Supporting Comedy Actress category, the most in Emmy history. With last year’s winner, Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”), moving to lead and Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”) not in this awards cycle, a repeat of this historic achievement seems unlikely. Nonetheless, 132 incredible actors are on the ballots, but only six nominees will be selected this time, making the race even more competitive.
Among the likely returning nominees are Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), who might also bring along their co-star Lisa Ann Walter, long overdue for recognition in her scene-stealing role as Melissa. Was there anything more heartwarming this season than watching Melissa become roommates with Jacob (played by Chris Perfetti)? Hopefully, she can slide into the competitive lineup.
FX’s “The Bear” boasts strong, albeit subtle contenders, notably Latina star Liza Colón-Zayas and Abby Elliott, who seem to be in the best position to remain in the slim lineup of six. But, we’re keeping a close eye on Molly Gordon to break through the lineup, depending on how much the TV Academy fawns over the series.
The third season of HBO/Max’s “Hacks” might be its best yet, propelling Hannah Einbinder to frontrunner status after two previous nominations for her role as comedy writer Ava Daniels. She might also secure a nomination for her co-star Meg Stalter.
While “Saturday Night Live” may be in a “rebuilding phase,” standouts Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Sarah Sherman have strong support. However, vote-splitting among them might prevent any from securing a nomination.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made history as the first transgender and Afro-Latina nominee for Lead Drama Actress for “Pose.” She could earn a second nomination, potentially buoyed by support for Apple’s “Loot” and her co-star Maya Rudolph.
Icon Meryl Streep, who has three Emmys, should never be counted out. Her portrayal of Loretta Durkin, a struggling Broadway actress, in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” has quickly established her as a frontrunner, according to industry experts. Other Emmy legends like Carol Burnett, Allison Janney, and Laura Dern from “Palm Royale” remain possibilities, given their multiple Emmy noms and wins throughout their careers.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Primetime Emmy predictions in the major categories.
-
Image Credit: HULU And the Predicted Nominees Are
Rank Performer and Series 1 Hannah Einbinder — “Hacks” (Max) 2 Meryl Streep — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu) 3 Janelle James — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC) 4 Sheryl Lee Ralph — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC) 5 Abby Elliott — “The Bear” (FX) 6 Liza Colón-Zayas — “The Bear” (FX) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series -
Image Credit: HBO / Max Next in Line
Rank Performer and Series 7 Meg Stalter — “Hacks” (Max) 8 Lisa Ann Walter — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC) 9 Carol Burnett — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+) 10 Allison Janney — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+) 11 Molly Gordon — “The Bear” (FX) 12 Chloe Fineman — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) 13 Susie Essman — “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Max) 14 Ego Nwodim — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) 15 Heidi Gardner — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series -
Image Credit: Apple TV+ Also in Contention
Rank Performer and Series 16 Paula Pell — “Girls5eva” (Netflix) 17 Busy Philipps — “Girls5eva” (Netflix) 18 Tracey Ullman — “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Max) 19 Sarah Sherman — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) 20 Laura Dern — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+) 21 Laurie Metcalf — “The Conners” (ABC) 22 Michaela Jaé Rodriguez — “Loot” (Apple TV+) 23 Annie Potts — “Young Sheldon” (CBS) 24 Kristen Schaal — “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX) 25 Jessica Gunning — “The Outlaws” (Prime Video) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series -
Eligible Performers (Supporting Comedy Actress)
Image Credit: ABC **Officially submitted and on the Emmy nominations ballot.
- Rachel Adedeji — “Dreaming Whilst Black” (Showtime)
- Paulina Alexis — “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
- Djouliet Amara — “The Big Door Prize” (Apple TV+)
- Lauren Ash — “Not Dead Yet” (ABC)
- Vanessa Bauche — “Acapulco” (Apple TV+)
- Leslie Bibb — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
- Jonica Booth — “Rap Shit” (Max)
- Elizabeth Bowen — “Resident Alien” (Syfy)
- Bo Bragason — “Renegade Nell” (Disney+)
- Lizze Broadway — “Gen V” (Prime Video)
- Carol Burnett — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
- Robyn Cara — “Bodkin” (Netflix)
- Liz Carr — “Good Omens” (Prime Video)
- Sheila Carrasco — “Ghosts” (CBS)
- Stockard Channing — “Knuckles”
- Zoe Chao — “The Afterparty” (Apple TV+)
- Sarita Choudhury — “And Just Like That…” (Max)
- Jessica Collins — “Acapulco” (Apple TV+)
- Liza Colón-Zayas — “The Bear” (FX)
- Shelley Conn — “Gen V” (Prime Video)
- Bella Cruz — “Underdeveloped”
- Kristin Davis — “And Just Like That” (Max)
- Laura Dern — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
- Zooey Deschanel — “Physical” (Prime Video)
- Julia Duffy — “Palm Royale” (Prime Video)
- Allegra Edwards — “Upload”
- Hannah Einbinder — “Hacks” (Max)
- Abby Elliott — “The Bear” (FX)
- Susie Essman — “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Max)
- Vanessa Ferlito — “Bookie” (Max)
- Chloe Fineman — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Susannah Flood — “Life & Beth” (Hulu)
- Crystal Fox — “The Big Door Prize” (Apple TV+)
- Kilah Fox — “Tires” (Netflix)
- Cassidy Freeman — “The Righteous Gemstones” (Max)
- Dierdre Friel — “Physical”
- Carla Gallo — “Platonic”
- Daniella Garcia — “Cooper’s Bar” (AMC)
- Heidi Gardner — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Meredith Garretson — “Resident Alien” (Syfy)
- Sas Goldberg — “Life & Beth” (Hulu)
- Lecy Goranson — “The Conners” (ABC)
- Molly Gordon — “The Bear” (FX)
- Jessica Gunning — “The Outlaws” (Prime Video)
- Aiysha Hart — “We Are Lady Parts” (Peacock)
- Emma Harvie — “Colin From Accounts” (Paramount+)
- Genevieve Hegney — “Colin From Accounts” (Paramount+)
- Cheryl Hines — “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Max)
- Liberty Hobbs — “Cooper’s Bar” (AMC)
- Sarah Kameela Impey — “We Are Lady Parts” (Peacock)
- Poorna Jagannathan — “Never Have I Ever” (Netflix)
- Janelle James — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- Allison Janney — “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
- Punkie Johnson — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Zainab Johnson — “Upload”
- Kristen Johnston — “The Righteous Gemstones” (Max)
- Carol Kane — “Dinner With the Parents”
- Molly Kearney — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Florence Keen — “Renegade Nell” (Disney+)
- Isis King — “With Love”
- Anna Konkle — “The Afterparty” (Apple TV+)
- Alice Kremelberg — “Renegade Nell” (Disney+)
- Highdee Kuan — “The Brothers Sun” (Netflix)
- Selenis Leyva — “Lopez vs. Lopez” (NBC)
- Liana Liberato — “Based on a True Story”
- Judith Light — “Julia” (Max)
- Judith Light — “Shining Vale” (Starz)
- Poppy Liu — “The Afterparty” (Apple TV+)
- Vella Lovell — “Animal Control” (Fox)
- Ally Maki — “The Big Door Prize”
- Laurie Metcalf — “The Conners” (ABC)
- Richa Moorjani — “Never Have I Ever” (Netflix)
- Dani Moseley — “Dreaming Whilst Black”
- Laci Mosley — “iCarly”
- Juliette Motamed — “We Are Lady Parts” (Peacock)
- Jennifer Nettles — “The Righteous Gemstones” (Max)
- Cynthia Nixon — “And Just Like That” (Max)
- Ego Nwodim — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Toks Olagundoye — “Frasier” (Paramount+)
- Faith Omole — “We Are Lady Parts”
- Weruche Opia — “High Desert”
- Emily Osment — “Young Sheldon” (CBS)
- Ashley Park — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
- Nicole Ari Parker — “And Just Like That…” (Max)
- Paula Pell — “Girls5eva” (Netflix)
- Elizabeth Perkins — “The Afterparty” (Apple TV+)
- Zoe Perry — “Young Sheldon” (CBS)
- Bernadette Peters — “High Desert” (Apple TV+)
- Busy Philipps — “Girls5eva” (Netflix)
- Maddie Phillips — “Gen V” (Prime Video)
- Danielle Pinnock — “Ghosts” (CBS)
- Annie Potts — “Young Sheldon” (CBS)
- Ruibo Qian — “Our Flag Means Death” (Max)
- Priscilla Quintana — “Based on a True Story”
- Sheryl Lee Ralph — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- Raegan Revord — “Young Sheldon”
- Regina Reynoso — “Acapulco” (Apple TV+)
- Joely Richardson — “The Gentlemen” (Netflix)
- Amber Chardae Robinson — “Palm Royale”
- Lee Rodriguez — “Never Have I Ever”
- Michaela Jaé Rodriguez — “Loot” (Apple TV+)
- Tami Roman — “The Ms. Pat Show” (BET+)
- Andrea Rosen — “Upload”
- Katey Sagal — “The Conners” (ABC)
- Jess Salgueiro — “Frasier” (Paramount+)
- Yamaneika Saunders — “Life & Beth” (Hulu)
- Kristen Schaal — “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
- Kaya Scodelario — “The Gentlemen” (Netflix)
- Quelin Sepulveda — “Good Omens” (Prime Video)
- Sarah Sherman — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Lucie Shorthouse — “We Are Lady Parts” (Peacock)
- Mira Sorvino — “Shining Vale” (Starz)
- Abigail Spencer — “Extended Family”
- Meg Stalter — “Hacks” (Max)
- Meryl Streep — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
- Wanda Sykes — “The Upshaws”
- Christine Taylor — “High Desert”
- Helen Thomson — “Colin From Accounts”
- London Thor — “Gen V”
- Jaidyn Triplett — “iCarly”
- Chloe Troast — “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
- Alanna Ubach — “Ted” (Peacock)
- Tracey Ullman — “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Max)
- Lisa Ann Walter — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- Olivia Washington — “I’m a Virgo” (Prime Video)
- Alice Wetterlund — “Resident Alien” (Syfy)
- Giorgia Whigham — “Ted” (Peacock)
- Rebecca Wisocky — “Ghosts” (CBS)
- Vivian Wu — “The Afterparty” (Apple TV+)
- Kara Young — “I’m a Virgo” (Prime Video)
- Ramona Young — “Never Have I Ever” (Netflix)
- Violet Young — “Life & Beth” (Hulu)
-
More Information (Supporting Comedy Actress)
Image Credit: Mary Ellen Matthews for Variety 2023 category winner: Ayo Edebiri — “The Bear” (FX) — Season 1
2024 Emmy Awards Calendar and Timeline (all dates are subject to change)
- Eligibility period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024
- Feb. 29: Submissions open
- May 9: Deadline for programs identifying as Primetime programming to upload all entry materials.
- June 13: Nominations-round voting begins
- June 24: Nominations-round voting ends at 10:00 p.m. PT
- June 28 – July 8: Voting for peer group-specific top ten rounds panels (if applicable)
- July 17: Primetime Emmy nominations are announced.
- July 24: Deadline for errors and omissions to the nominations.
- August 5: Find-round videos available for viewing.
- August 15: Final-round voting begins.
- August 26: Final-round voting ends at 10:00 p.m. PST.
- Sept. 7-8: Creative Arts Emmy Awards and Governors Gala
- Sunday, Sept. 15: 76th Primetime Emmy Awards to air on ABC.
Emmy Prediction Categories
2024 Primetime Emmy Prediction Categories About the Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy Awards, commonly known as the Emmys, are awarded by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Established in 1949, these celebrate outstanding achievements in American primetime television. The Emmys are categorized into three divisions: the Primetime Emmy Awards for performance and production excellence; the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, recognizing achievements in artistry and craftsmanship; and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards, which honor significant engineering and technological advancements. The eligibility period typically extends from June 1 to May 31 each year. The Television Academy hosts the Emmys and has over 20,000 members across 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors, artisans and executives.