2022 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actor and Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson "black-ish"

Donald Glover "Atlanta"

Bill Hader "Barry"

Steve Martin "Only Murders in the Building"

Martin Short "Only Murders in the Building"

Jason Sudeikis "Ted Lasso"

Other Contenders - Larry David "Curb Your Enthusiasm", Nicholas Hoult "The Great", Don Cheadle "Black Monday", Rhys Darby "Our Flag Means Death", Jake Johnson "Minx", Ricky Gervais "After Life", Kayvan Novak "What We Do in the Shadows", Matt Berry "What We Do in the Shadows"

Commentary - This race is ripe for a surprise, but I am going back to old favorites. Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis are definitely coming back. I think Donald Glover is too, but the pundits are not high on Atlanta. It makes me wonder if they are hearing a muted reaction from Emmy voters. The dynamic comedy legendary duo of Steve Martin and Martin Short feel like they are going to take two slots. Finally, I moved in Anthony Anderson, who continually gets nominated for black-ish. Larry David and Don Cheadle could easily return, Nicholas Hoult is on the cusp of getting in, Jake Johnson is hilarious, as is Rhys Darby, and I think voters really need to make room for the What We Do in the Shadows pair. 

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Rachel Brosnahan "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

Quinta Brunson "Abbott Elementary"

Kaley Cuoco "The Flight Attendant"

Issa Rae "Insecure"

Tracee Ellis Ross "black-ish"
Jean Smart "Hacks"

Other Contenders - Selena Gomez "Only Murders in the Building", Elle Fanning "The Great", Sarah Lancashire "Julia", Rose McIver "Ghosts", Natasha Lyonne "Russian Doll", Sandra Oh "The Chair", Pamela Adlon "Better Things", Bridget Everett "Somebody Somewhere", Natasha Demetriou "What We Do in the Shadows"

Commentary - A tough race that could have 20 slots, and not feel like enough. We know Jean Smart is coming back, and I expect that Kaley Cuoco and Rachel Brosnahan will join her. A lot of folks are mixed on the return of Issa Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross, but with both being final seasons, and both on a streak, I feel like they will return. That leaves one new slot, which I am saving for Quinta Brunson. But Selena Gomez is in a hot show, as is Elle Fanning. Natasha Lyone and Pamela Adlon are returning. Bridget Everett is fantastic. Rose McIver is a new favorite and Sarah Lancashire is playing a legend. This is going to be an interesting race to watch.