We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
Click on for more of our previous thoughts on what to expect at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The State of the Race
The gift and the curse of the Emmys are the amount of opportunities historically great television performances get to be recognized. Half of this year’s Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nominees are in their third season in a row being nominated, with “Abbott Elementary” star Sheryl Lee Ralph winning the category two years ago.
Sometimes someone winning the Emmy year after year for the same performance is actually deserved, but with supporting performances especially, there are seasons where the character is a highlight, and some where they are more of a background player. So with that said, Season 3 of “Hacks” was really the former for star Hannah Einbinder.
While her co-star Jean Smart has won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for each season the Max series has been nominated, other nominees have outshined Einbinder’s supporting work. This year though the majority of people who have seen the finale have declared that the young star even upstaged the TV veteran in the final scene of Season 3. If voters feel like spreading the wealth among those actresses regularly nominated, it will likely swing Einbinder’s way.
However, Ralph not only remains a delight on “Abbott Elementary,” but had an Emmy speech that still resonates, and was even asked by the Television Academy to announce nominations this year. Looking at Season 3 of the ABC sitcom though, the way the story shook out played more to the strengths of her co-star Janelle James as Principal Ava. Her character’s concept for parent-teacher night, Ava Fest, has become a recurring setpiece on the show, and even got a real life edition as an activation for the show at San Diego Comic Con this year. The role has been a breakout for the scene-stealing comedian, and should she win, she would be third “Abbott Elementary” star (and fourth Black actress in history) to win the category (“The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri plays creator/star Quinta Brunson’s sister on the series.)
Speaking of “The Bear,” if there is any actor getting a boost from the third season, it is Liza Colón-Zayas who got a spotlight episode for her character Tina this time around. While it’s Season 2 that she is currently nominated for, recency bias is a thing, and none of the other nominees will have new material for voters to see them as their character before final voting ends.
All that said, it would be foolish to imply that Carol Burnett or Meryl Streep does not have a chance at winning any Emmy they are nominated for. The screen legends’ cumulative Emmys total is in the double digits. Weirdly though, their roles come with the promise of bigger and better material in the next seasons of “Palm Royale” and “Only Murders in the Building,” so voters may want to wait and see more before they officially recognize their performances with another trophy.
Nominees are listed in order of their likelihood to win.
Power Rankings:
- Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks” (Max)
- Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear” (FX)
- Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- Carol Burnett, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
- Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
Will Win: Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Could Win: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
Should Win: Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
More Comedy Category Predictions:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
View IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 76th Emmy Awards.
Last Year’s Winner: Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: Not since “Cheers” has there been two stars from the same show that have won this category back-to-back, so if fervor for “The Bear” really is as huge as some predict, Edebiri tees up the possibility of that specific streak.
Notable Ineligible Series: Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple, “Ted Lasso” (ended); Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (ended); Jessica Williams, “Shrinking” (Season 2 is not eligible)