Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each individual category, according to the awards show from THE EMMYS HUBLink to film awards hub THE OSCARS HUB
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2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
UPDATED: May 20, 2021
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: There are a few passionate picks that are in the mix for Emmy consideration. Kaley Cuoco (“The Flight Attendant”) and Jean Smart (“Hacks”) could be the leading contenders, but there are a couple of names that could leap in front.
Tracee Ellis Ross has received multiple nominations for her work on “Black-ish” and is due another for her performance as the matron Rainbow. Peacock’s “Girls5eva” is having a moment and could do wonders for the new streaming platform, including nominations for either three-time Emmy nominee Sara Bareilles and Renée Elise Goldsberry, who will also be in the hunt for her work in “Hamilton” in the supporting limited series/TV movie actress category. But, they’re not the only musical performers in the hunt, as Jane Levy’s turn in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” could bring her first career nod.
Another potential double-dipper in the acting races, Hulu’s “Pen15” has both Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle eyeing potential spots. At the same time, series finales hope to bring leading ladies their due, including Allison Janney (“Mom”), Aidy Bryant (“Shrill”) and Sutton Foster (“Younger”).
The eligibility period ends on May 31 before nomination-round voting begins on June 17, concluding on June 28. The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 13, 2021.
ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST — “Pilot” Episode 101 — Pictured: Jane Levy as Zoey — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
Courtesy of Sergei Bachlakov/NBC
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
Kaley Cuoco"The Flight Attendant" (HBO Max)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Cassie Bowden
–CREATOR: Steve YockeySYNOPSIS: A reckless flight attendant with an alcoholism problem wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man - and no idea what happened. Unable to piece the night together, she begins to wonder if she could be the killer.STARRING: Kaley Cuoco, Michiel Huisman, Zosia Mamet, T. R. Knight, Michelle Gomez, Colin Woodell, Merle Dandridge, Griffin Matthews, Nolan Gerard Funk, Rosie Perez
Jean Smart"Hacks" (HBO Max)
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EMMY HISTORY: Nine nominations, three wins (guest actress comedy for "Frasier" in 2000 and 2001, and supporting actress comedy for "Samantha Who?" in 2008).ROLE: Deborah Vance
–CREATOR: Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen StatskySYNOPSIS: Explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.STARRING: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Tracee Ellis Ross"Black-ish" (ABC)
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EMMY HISTORY: Four nominationsROLE: Rainbow Johnson
–CREATOR: Kenya BarrisSYNOPSIS: A family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.STARRING: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Meacham, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Mackenzie, Deon Cole, Katlyn Nichol
Allison Janney"Mom" (CBS)
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EMMY HISTORY: 14 nominations, 7 wins (supporting actress drama for "The West Wing" in 2000 and 2001, lead actress drama for "The West Wing" in 2002 and 2004, guest actress drama for "Masters of Sex" in 2014 and supporting actress comedy for "Mom" in 2014 and 2015)ROLE: Bonnie
–CREATORS: Gemma Baker, Eddie Gorodetsky, Chuck LorreSYNOPSIS: A newly sober single mom tries to pull her life together in Napa Valley while dealing with her wayward mother.STARRING: Allison Janney, Anna Faris, Mimi Kennedy, Beth Hall
Jane Levy"Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" (NBC)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Zoey
–CREATORS: Austin WinsbergSYNOPSIS: A young woman discovers she has the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and musical numbers.STARRING: Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Peter Gallagher, Mary Steenburgen, Lauren Graham, Andrew Leeds, Alice Lee, Michael Thomas Grant, Kapil Talwalkar
Renée Elise Goldsberry"Girls5eva" (Peacock)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Wickie Roy
–CREATORS: Meredith ScardinoSYNOPSIS: A one-hit-wonder band from the '90s gets a second shot at fame when they're sampled by a young star.STARRING: Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Wiz Khalifa and Hailee Steinfeld in season two of “Dickinson,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
Courtesy of Apple TV+
NEXT IN LINE CONTENDERS:
Maya Erskine"Pen15" (Hulu)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Maya Ishii-Peters
–CREATORS: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam ZviblemanSYNOPSIS: The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being a teenager.STARRING: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Mutsuko Erskine, Richard Karn, Taylor Nichols, Melora Walters, Taj Cross, Dallas Liu
Cristin Milioti"Made for Love" (HBO Max)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Hazel Green
–CREATORS: Alissa Nutting & Dean Bakopoulos and Patrick Somerville and Christina Lee
SYNOPSIS: A young woman, on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage to a tech billionaire, suddenly realizes that her husband has implanted a revolutionary monitoring device in her brain that allows him to track her every move.
STARRING: Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, Ray Romano, Augusto Aguilera
Hailee Steinfeld"Dickinson" (Apple TV Plus)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Emily Dickinson
–CREATOR: Alena Smith
SYNOPSIS: An inside look at the world of writer Emily Dickinson.
STARRING: Hailee Steinfeld, Toby Huss, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt, Jane Krakowski
Lena Waithe"Master of None" (Netflix)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nomination, one win (writing comedy series for "Master of None" in 2017)ROLE: To be announced
–CREATOR: Aziz Ansari, Alan Yang
SYNOPSIS: The personal and professional life of Dev, a 30-year-old actor in New York.
STARRING: Lena Waithe, Naomi Ackie
SHRILL — Episode 302 – Amadi sets Annie up on a disastrous blind date. Fran is sick of working from home and takes a job at a salon. Bill and Vera make a big announcement about their future. Annie (Aidy Bryant), shown. (Photo by: Allyson Riggs/Hulu)
Hulu
TOP-TIER AWARDS CONTENDERS:
Sara Bareilles"Girls5eva" (Peacock)–
EMMY HISTORY: Three nominationsROLE: Dawn Solano
–CREATORS: Meredith ScardinoSYNOPSIS: A one-hit-wonder band from the '90s gets a second shot at fame when they're sampled by a young star.STARRING: Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Anna Konkle"Pen15" (Hulu)–
EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Anna Kone
–CREATORS: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam ZviblemanSYNOPSIS: The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being a teenager.STARRING: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Mutsuko Erskine, Richard Karn, Taylor Nichols, Melora Walters, Taj Cross, Dallas Liu
Lily Collins"Emily in Paris" (Netflix)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Emily Cooper
–CREATOR: Darren Star
SYNOPSIS: A young American woman from the Midwest is hired by a marketing firm in Paris to provide them with an American perspective on things.
STARRING: Lily Collins, Philppine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery
Aidy Bryant"Shrill" (Hulu)
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EMMY HISTORY: Two nominationsROLE: Annie Easton
–CREATOR: Aidy Bryant, Alexandra Rushfield, Lindy West
SYNOPSIS: A woman seeks out ways to change her life without changing her body.
STARRING: Aidy Bryant, Lolly Adefope, John Cameron Mitchell, Ian Owens, Patti Harrison
Robin Thede"A Black Lady Sketch Show" (HBO)
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EMMY HISTORY: One nominationROLE: Various characters
–CREATOR: Robin Thede
SYNOPSIS: A half-hour sketch comedy written by and starring Robin Thede.
STARRING: Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Ashley Nicole Black, Quinta Brunson, Issa Rae
Alia Shawkat"Search Party" (HBO Max)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Dory Sief
–CREATOR: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, Michael Showalter
SYNOPSIS: "Search Party" is a dark comedy about four self-absorbed twenty-somethings who become entangled in an ominous mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears.
STARRING: Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early, Meredith Hagner, Brandon Michael Hall, Clare McNulty
Charlotte Nicdao"Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" (Apple TV Plus)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Poppy
–CREATOR: Megan Ganz, Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day
SYNOPSIS: The owner of a successful video game design company and his troubled staff struggle to keep their hit game 'Mythic Quest' on top.
STARRING: Rob McElhenney, Ashly Burch, Jessie Ennis, Imani Hakim, David Hornsby, Charlotte Nicdao, Danny Pudi, F. Murray Abraham
Sutton Foster"Younger" (Paramount Plus)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Liza Miller
–CREATORS: Darren Star
SYNOPSIS: After being mistaken for younger than she really is, a single mother decides to take the chance to reboot her career and her love life as a 26-year old.
STARRING: Sutton Foster, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Hilary Duff, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard, Charles Michael Davis
Jana Schmieding"Rutherford Falls" (Peacock)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Reagan Wells
–CREATOR: Ed Helms, Sierra Teller Ornelas, Michael Schur
SYNOPSIS: A small town in the Northeast is turned upside down when local legend and town namesake, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) fights the moving of a historical statue.
STARRING: Ed Helms, Michael Greyeyes, Jana Schmieding, Jesse Leigh, Dustin Milligan
Sara Gilbert"The Conners" (ABC)
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EMMY HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Darlene Conner
–CREATOR: Matt Williams
SYNOPSIS: Follow-up to the comedy series "Roseanne," centering on the family members of the matriarch after her sudden death.
STARRING: John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, Michael Fishman, Emma Kenney, Ames McNamara, Jayden Rey, Maya Lynne Robinson, Jay R. Ferguson
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS (UNRANKED):
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Lead Actress in a Comedy Series)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television’s most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
For wins: Julia Louis-Dreyfus has won this award seven times, the most of any actress, six of which were consecutive for “Veep,” almost the entire run of the series. Candice Bergen and Mary Tyler Moore have won this prize five times over their careers. “Veep” and “Murphy Brown” have been the most nominated series for lead actress comedy.
For nominations: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the most nominated actress with 12 with Mary Tyler Moore and Bea Arthur behind with 10 and nine.
“The Golden Girls” is the most nominated series with 15 nominations over its run, with “Cheers” behind it with nine.
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, is given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards recognize excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes – Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements) and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 73rd Emmy Awards are scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 pm est on CBS and on-demand on sister streamer Paramount Plus.