Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: June 9, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
Oscar-nominee Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”) has earned critical praise in almost anything she’s been in, but that hasn’t translated to an awards haul; however, her memorable role in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” sent her character out with a bang, and voters would do well not to forget her on their ballots.
It helps that the undeniably hilarious and talented Cecily Strong had the single best moment of the 47th season of “Saturday Night Live” when she revealed her own real-life abortion. There should be no denying her a nom this time. That’s if the departing veterans don’t steal all the thunder.
Kate McKinnon won two consecutive Emmy statuettes for work on the long-running sketch comedy show. Bidding farewell this season, she was afforded more memorable creations and returned to other characters that remind us why she’s been so brilliant during her tenure (and why she’ll be incredibly missed).
Aidy Bryant is coming off double noms last year for “SNL” and “Shrill,” which ended its run. Will they feel compelled to give her love once again, in this highly competitive field?
A winner in an Emmy-winning show, Alex Borstein is a darling of the TV Academy in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” from the Amazon Prime Video series. Delivering in the penultimate season, nostalgia could settle in for one more moment on the Emmy stage.
Getting more room to explore her aspiring actor character on HBO’s “Barry,” Sarah Goldberg gets multiple moments to shine in the long-awaited third season. She could be a dark horse in this competitive category.
Known for her stand-up routines, Janelle James gets a breakout role in the heartwarming “Abbott Elementary” from ABC. With lots of chuckles, some of the show’s brightest scenes include her. However, will she split the votes with her co-stars Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter?
A skilled veteran in Hollywood, Ralph anchors the feel-good show with one-line zingers and a beautifully played character arc. She has the industry clout to be recognized over her co-stars. Walter gets a strong story arc, even shining in one of the later season episodes that could pull her through.
Juno Temple’s Keely is, in many ways, the heart and soul of the Apple TV+ series, and the last season saw her character grow — especially in her scenes with Brett Goldstein, playing her partner. She comes into the race with one Emmy nom for the soccer series.
Coming off her first Emmy win for the big Apple winner from last year, Hannah Waddingham looks to be a prime candidate to go back-to-back. With the popularity of the show still present, she’s in the thick of the race once again.
Likely the runner-up to last year’s winner Waddingham, Hannah Einbinder is equally as profound as her co-star Jean Smart in the HBO dramedy “Hacks.” While her performance is more of a lead role (category fraud alert), being slotted into supporting could help her nab a nomination spot.
This is not the full list of submitted contenders, additions will be added every Thursday.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub
The nomination round of voting runs from June 16 to June 27. The official nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday, July 12.
The list of programs and potential nominees listed below is incomplete and is subject to change. The full television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: Hannah Waddingham, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Supporting Actress Comedy)
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: Rhea Perlman and Doris Roberts have won this category four times, the most in history. Valerie Harper and Laurie Metcalf are close behind, with three each.
"Cheers" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" are the two leading series with wins in this category with six each. "Everybody Loves Raymond" won this award twice in its run.
For nominations: Rhea Perlman and Loretta Swit have received the most nominations in this category, with 10 throughout their careers. Megan Mullally has the second most with eight.
"Saturday Night Live" has received the most nominations with 16 individual nods with "Cheers" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" with 13 and 12, respectively.
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
- Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Reality Host
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Outstanding Narrator
- Outstanding Structured Program
- Outstanding Unstructured Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Documentary Special
- Outstanding Documentary Filmmaking
- Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Outstanding Main Title Design
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
- Outstanding Music for Series
- Outstanding Music for Limited Series
- Outstanding Music and Lyrics
- Outstanding Music Supervision
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized 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 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.