We’ll be updating this article throughout the season, along with all of our predictions, so be sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Emmy race. Nomination voting will run June 15-26, with nominees official at the Emmys announced Wednesday, July 12. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be presented on two consecutive nights on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with a curated presentation of the ceremonies airing on FXX at a later date. Finally, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, September 18 and will air live on FOX at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
The state of the breed
One of the most pivotal moments in recent Emmy history was when Zendaya won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, becoming both its youngest recipient and only the second black woman to win it. In retrospect, that win was a rare moment when a television award cemented someone as a global superstar.
This is the kind of track “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega is in for if Netflix plays its cards right. Similar to her Disney Channel colleague, if she wins the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, she would follow and succeed “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrera as only the second Latina and youngest actress ever to receive the prize. Given that the TV Academy just awarded Zendaya another Emmy for the most polarizing second season of “Euphoria,” it doesn’t seem like they’d miss another chance to be the ones to crown a new generational icon. “Wednesday” was a huge hit, so voters have likely already watched its first season.
However, coming out of the guild’s awards, the front runner for this category was “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson, who is not only the heart of ABC’s beloved comedy, but also created it (hence the his Emmy win for pilot writing last year). Brunson has been credited for bringing viewers back to network TV, but that kind of accolade highlights her behind-the-scenes work more than her performance. Sure, an acting win would be lovely, but one would assume that the collaborative Brunson would rather add the Outstanding Emmy Comedy Series to her collection, as that would encompass all the work she and her co-stars have done on ‘Abbott Elementary.’
Current contenders (in alphabetical order):
Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me” (Netflix)
Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Prime Video)
Quinta Brunson, “Elementary Abbott” (ABC)
Linda Cardellini, “Death to me” (Netflix)
Bridget Everett, “Someone Somewhere” (HBO)
Elle Fanning, “The Big One” (Hulu)
Ana Gasteyer, “American Auto” (NBC)
Selena Gomez, ‘Only Murders in the Building’ (Hulu)
Devery Jacobs, “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
Natasha Lyonne, “Poker Face” (Peacock)
Rose McIver, “Ghosts” (CBS)
Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday” (Netflix)
Maya Rudolph, “Loot” (Apple TV+)
Robin Thede, “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (HBO)
Kerry Washington, “Unprisoned” (Hulu)
More predictions on the comedy category:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
To see IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 75th Emmy Awards click here.
Last year’s winner: Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Still eligible: NO.
Hot Series: With Smart out, there is no great prospect for any kind of streak. Even the active “Hacks” network, HBO Max, has little to no prospects in the category this year.
Notable ineligible series: Jean Smart, “Hacks” (season 3 was ineligible); Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black-ish” (finished)
