2024 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

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.

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The State of the Race

The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category could be filled with just “Palm Royale” stars this year (there happen to be multiple Oscar winners to choose from.) That is how tight of a race it is.

This is the Emmys though, which is very much Carol Burnett’s domain, putting her toward the front of the line for the Apple TV+ series’ prospects in this category. She did just win her seventh Primetime Emmy in January after all, so there’s momentum to build upon.

Speaking of momentum, the current reigning in this category, Ayo Edebiri, actually moved up to the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy race, making room for her “The Bear” co-stars Liza Colón-Zayas and Abby Elliott to cut in. Neither has gotten an episode to themselves the way some of their male counterparts have, but have core moments in the FX series’ sophomore season.

“Abbott Elementary” had a really strong third season, so one can assume Janelle James and former category winner Sheryl Lee Ralph’s nomination slots are secure for a third year in a row, but the person probably most expected to win is “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder. Across the board, none of the other contenders got a moment as pivotal as the comedian’s final Season 3 scene facing off against co-star Jean Smart. Einbinder has been nominated twice before, but with a comedy special out right now too, just as nomination voting is happening, it seems like the timing is finally right for her to gain the same recognition Smart has gotten two seasons in a row for her efforts on the Max series.

Lastly, it’s always important to note that Emmy voters do not put as much credence into how famous a contender is as one would assume, but the fact that Meryl Streep asked to be on Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building” shows enough reverence for the medium to gain the respect of voters as they judge one’s performance.

Predicted Nominees:
Carol Burnett, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+)
Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear” (FX)
Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks” (Max)
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Meryl Streep, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)

Contenders:
Abby Elliott, “The Bear” (FX)
Susie Essman, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
Lisa Ann Walter, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Also Consider This:
Kristin Davis, “And Just Like That…” (Max)
Wanda Sykes, “The Upshaws” (Netflix)
Alanna Ubach, “Ted” (Peacock)

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)

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