2024 Emmys Predictions: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Marcus Jones
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
Wow, wow, wow is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series competitive this year. “Abbott Elementary” creator/star Quinta Brunson and “The Bear” star Ayo Edebiri just won Emmys in January of this year (the former in this category, the latter for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.) And now they both are up against “Hacks” star Jean Smart, who won this Emmy category for both Season 1 and 2 of her Max series.
It will take some time to see how things play out before one can make a clear prediction on who will take it, especially with the third season of “The Bear” premiering before final Emmys voting commences, but each of the three actresses have had a major year so far. Would be hard to call any of them winning an upset.
As for the two actresses likely to join them, Apple TV+ has been a fountain of star vehicles for women. Kristen Wiig in “Palm Royale” is the prestige pick, as the hour-long period dramedy really goes for broke. Meanwhile, “Loot” really found its footing enough in its second season to warrant greater consideration for star Maya Rudolph, whose five previous Emmy wins come from guest hosting “Saturday Night Live,” and voicing the Hormone Monstress on the Netflix animated series “Big Mouth.”
On the off chance there is enough of a sentiment among voters that “Reservation Dogs” should get its flowers for its farewell run, Devery Jacobs stands as a viable possible nominee, especially because she was just as integral to the show behind the scenes as both a writer and director. Sadly, “Only Murders in the Building” star Selena Gomez and “Girls5eva” star Reneé Elise Goldsberry just have struggled to receive enough of a spotlight on their shows to elevate their chances at a nomination. But they are perpetually on the bubble.
Predicted Nominees:
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear” (FX)
Maya Rudolph, “Loot” (Apple TV+)
Jean Smart, “Hacks” (Max)
Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
Contenders:
Reneé Elise Goldsberry, “Girls5eva” (Netflix)
Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
Devery Jacobs, “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
Also Consider This:
Rose Byrne, “Physical” (Apple TV+)
Diarra Kilpatrick, “Diarra from Detroit” (BET+)
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, “Never Have I Ever” (Netflix)
More Comedy Category Predictions:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
View IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 76th Emmy Awards.
Last Year’s Winner: Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Still Eligible: Yes.
Hot Streak: Quinta Brunson, Jean Smart, and Ayo Edebiri are all coming off an Emmy win for the most recent season of their shows. If Brunson were to win, it would be the first time a Black actress has ever won twice (and twice consecutively). If Edebiri were to win, she would just generally be the first Black actress to win for a Lead and/or Supporting comedy performance two seasons in a row. If Smart wins, she moves up the list of actresses with the most Emmys in this category, up next to legends like Lucille Ball.
Notable Ineligible Series: Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (ended); Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me” (ended); Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday” (Season 2 is not eligible); Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face” (Season 2 is not eligible)
