As we inch closer to the 76th Emmy Awards, we’re feeling better about how most of the races are shaping up. On the surface, it looks like this year’s Emmys will be another one where three series will dominate their respective categories. That being said, some categories could still swing in any direction. Both Comedy Actress categories are just a couple of the races that feel like a heated battle between two powerhouse series: “The Bear” and “Hacks.” As momentum constantly swings back and forth for each series, let’s look at how both Comedy Actress categories could indicate which show may come out on top on Emmys night.
This year’s Best Actress in a Comedy Series might be one of the toughest categories to predict. Last year, the overall feeling was slight in terms of competition, which led to Quinta Brunson taking home the award for “Abbott Elementary” (Brunson previously won in 2022 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series). Now, at best, Brunson is third, as she’s taking the back seat to Emmy winners Ayo Edebiri and Jean Smart. At this point, Edebiri (“The Bear”) and Smart (“Hacks”) are the only two considered a threat to win in this category. Edebiri, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the first season of “The Bear,” has switched categories and is staking her claim in the lead actress race. Edebiri is a rising star and an industry darling. It’s now difficult to watch something in which Edebiri isn’t involved. “The Bear” is beloved by many, and the second season lets Edebiri shine in an already fantastic ensemble. It also helps that “The Bear” looks to dominate at the Emmys, similarly to how it performed in the first season. If Edebiri was still submitted for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, it would be a done deal in terms of her winning again. But now that Edebiri is in the lead category, Smart is also right there.
Smart is a formidable opponent who has won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series both times she was nominated for “Hacks.” In season three, Smart delivers what could be considered her best work yet on the series. “Hacks” remains a critical darling and has won an Emmy every time the series has been nominated. It’s clear that the Television Academy adores Smart, especially in this phase of her career, but is it enough to overtake the adoration “The Bear” has built up since the last time “Hacks” was on air? If you believe that “Hacks” can somehow win Outstanding Comedy Series, then it’s not unwise to also predict Smart. That doesn’t mean that the lead actress winner always lines up with the series winner. Since 2015, there have been only three times when the winner of Lead Actress in a Comedy Series has not correlated with the Comedy Series winner. These three times were Smart (2021 and 2022) and Brunson (2023). That being said, Edebiri technically did win an acting Emmy last year, and “The Bear” did also win Comedy Series. It also seems likely that “The Bear” will win this category again (for season two.) Also, the fact that Edebiri has swept CCA, Globe, and SAG in the lead actress category proves she could easily take the award. Admittedly, that was before season three of “Hacks” was released.
Where “Hacks” could also prevail is Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The race is quite interesting because, for most of the year, it felt like the Emmy would default to Meryl Streep for “Only Murders in the Building.” That was until the third season of “Hacks” was released. Hannah Einbinder, who was nominated for the previous two seasons, undoubtedly gives her best work in this latest season. Einbinder has always been an underrated aspect of the series, easily holding her own against a talent such as Smart. Einbinder has the best chance to win this year, as the discussion around “Only Murders in the Building” seems to have fizzled out. If Streep were still to win, it would mainly be because it’s Meryl Streep. There is a world where Liza Colón-Zayas could shock everyone and be a surprise winner in the vein of Sheryl Lee Ralph for “Abbott Elementary” a couple of years ago. If Colón-Zayes were to win, it would only show the over-presence “The Bear” would have at this year’s Emmys. Colón-Zayas’ character Tina is beloved by many, and her arc in season two gives the actor plenty of opportunities to shine. That said, Colón-Zayas stands out far more in the third season and could win out at next year’s Emmys. It’s worth watching her, but Einbinder is looking good to win her first Emmy.
“Hacks” may win in a few categories and maybe steal one of the writing/directing categories, but another sweep for “The Bear” is on the horizon. Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bacarach are more than likely winning again in their respective categories. It’s also looking good for “The Bear” to win in both guest acting categories and for Best Casting. Who knows if “Hacks” is making a major dent into “The Bear” potential wins, but it’s worth noting that these actress races are far from over.
Will “The Bear” remain dominant in the acting categories? Will Jean Smart earn her third Emmy for “Hacks”? Could Liza Colón-Zayas make a last-minute surprise? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account and check out our latest Emmy nomination predictions here.
