Emmy Predictions: Supporting Actress (Comedy) – There’s Nothing Small About What Jessica Williams Brings to ‘Shrinking’

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UPDATED: April 27, 2023

2023 Emmy Predictions:

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Janelle James for Variety JD Barnes for Variety Weekly Commentary: Jessica Williams the lovable therapist and scene-stealing Gaby on Apple TVs Shrinking, and completely steals the show.

Her beautiful creation of the character provides the dramedy, which also stars contenders Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, the lifeblood and emotional backbone needed to navigate the series successfully. Imagining a supporting comedy actress lineup without her would be criminal. Going from a correspondent on The Daily Show to delivering one of the best performances of any actor this year is a wonderful journey to witness.

In addition, her two co-stars Christa Miller as the nosey neighbor Liz and Lukita Maxwell as Jimmys grief-stricken daughter are also magnetic in their roles. Depending on how much the TV Academy goes for the show, perhaps theres room for more than one woman from the Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein-created comedy.

As always, it wont be easy with heavy hitters such as former winners Hannah Waddingham from her Apple counterpart Ted Lasso and last years winner Sheryl Lee Ralph from Abbott Elementary.

However, in regards to Abbott, much like Modern Family executed a few times throughout its Emmy run, the TV Academy may feel inclined to reward someone new in such an incredible ensemble of actors. That could give Janelle James, who plays the sometimes incompetent but always funny principal Ava, her chance to walk up onto the Emmy stage. Gracing the cover of Variety recently, shes undoubtedly in the hunt for her first major piece of recognition (and it would be warranted).

I also wouldnt count out any of the sketch comedy performers such as Ego Nwodim and Cecily Strong from Saturday Night Live and Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend, both impeccably funny and talented on HBOs A Black Lady Sketch Show, a show thats due for acting recognition.

Emmy Nominations voting runs from June 15-26. The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 12. Check back every Thursday for the latest updates. All information is preliminary and is subject to change.

And the Predicted Nominees Are:Janelle James Abbott Elementary (ABC)Sheryl Lee Ralph Abbott Elementary (ABC)Hannah Waddingham Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)Alex Borstein The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)Jessica Williams Shrinking (Apple TV+)Ayo Edebiri The Bear (FX)Sarah Goldberg Barry (HBO)Lisa Ann Walter Abbott Elementary (ABC) Next in LineChrista Miller Shrinking (Apple TV+)Michelle Yeoh American Born Chinese (Disney+) Other Top-Tier PossibilitiesCecily Strong Saturday Night Live (NBC)Ego Nwodim Saturday Night Live (NBC)Molly Shannon The Other Two (HBO)Juno Temple Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)Zazie Beetz Atlanta (FX)Ariana DeBose Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Skye Townsend A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)Gabrielle Dennis A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)Christina Ricci Wednesday (Netflix)Lukita Maxwell Shrinking (Apple TV+) All Eligible Titles (Alphabetized by Network)**Janelle James Abbott Elementary (ABC)Sheryl Lee Ralph Abbott Elementary (ABC)Lisa Ann Walter Abbott Elementary (ABC)Laurie Metcalf The Conners (ABC)Mireille Enos Lucky Hank (AMC)Djouliet Amara The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)Elizabeth Hunter The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)Ally Maki The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)Gabrielle Dennis The Big Door Prize (Apple TV+)Michaela Jay Rodriguez Loot (Apple TV+)Dove Cameron Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Kristen Chenoweth Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Ariana DeBose Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Jane Krakowski Schmigadoon! (Apple TV+)Heidi Gardener Shrinking (Apple TV+)Christa Miller Shrinking (Apple TV+)Lukita Maxwell Shrinking (Apple TV+)Lily Rabe Shrinking (Apple TV+)Jessica Williams Shrinking (Apple TV+)Juno Temple Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)Hannah Waddingham Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)Danielle Pinnock Ghosts (CBS)Rebecca Wisocky Ghosts (CBS)Michelle Yeoh American Born Chinese (Disney+)Susan Berger Jury Duty (Freevee)Cassandra Blair Jury Duty (Freevee)Zazie Beetz Atlanta (FX)Ayo Edebiri The Bear (FX)Abby Elliott The Bear (FX)Rachel Bloom Reboot (FX)DArcy Carden Barry (HBO)Sarah Goldberg Barry (HBO)Gabrielle Dennis A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)Skye Townsend A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)Judith Light Julia (HBO)Rachel Bloom Julia (HBO)Molly Shannon The Other Two (HBO)Cara Delevingne Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Jayne Houdyshell Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Wanda Sykes History of the World Part II (Hulu)Chloe Fineman Saturday Night Live (NBC)Heidi Gardner Saturday Night Live (NBC)Punkie Johnson Saturday Night Live (NBC)Molly Kearney Saturday Night Live (NBC) **Ego Nwodim Saturday Night Live (NBC)Sarah Sherman Saturday Night Live (NBC)Cecily Strong Saturday Night Live (NBC)Courtney Henggeler Cobra Kai (Netflix)Mary Mouser Cobra Kai (Netflix)Diana Maria Riva Dead to Me (Netflix)Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu Emily in Paris (Netflix)Ashley Park Emily in Paris (Netflix)Camille Razat Emily in Paris (Netflix)Farah Bsieso Mo (Netflix)Teresa Ruiz Mo (Netflix)Poorna Jagannathan Never Have I Ever (Netflix)Richa Moorjani Never Have I Ever (Netflix)Lee Rodriguez Never Have I Ever (Netflix)Megan Suri Never Have I Ever (Netflix)Ramona Young Never Have I Ever (Netflix)Sian Clifford Unstable (Netflix)Emma Ferreira Unstable (Netflix)Rachel Marsh Unstable (Netflix)Journey Christine The Upshaws (Netflix)Gabrielle Dennis The Upshaws (Netflix)Khali Spraggins The Upshaws (Netflix)Wanda Sykes The Upshaws (Netflix)Gwendoline Christie Wednesday (Netflix)Riki Lindhome Wednesday (Netflix)Christina Ricci Wednesday (Netflix)Edie Falco Bupkis (Peacock)Grace Byers Harlem (Prime Video)Jerrie Johnson Harlem (Prime Video)Shoniqua Shandai Harlem (Prime Video)DArcy Carden A League of Their Own (Prime Video)Sally Hawkins Mammals (Prime Video)Alex Borstein The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)Marin Hinkle The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)Caroline Aaron The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)Jennifer Garner Party Down (Starz)Jane Lynch Party Down (Starz)Megan Mullally Party Down (Starz) ** This list or category submission is not yet complete or confirmed and is subject to change.

2022 category winner: Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard Abbott Elementary (ABC) Season 1

Emmy Awards Predictions Categories DRAMA SERIES | COMEDY SERIES | LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES | TV MOVIE | LEAD ACTOR (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTOR (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | LEAD ACTRESS (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTRESS (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | TALK SERIES | SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES | GAME SHOW | DIRECTING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | WRITING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | VARIETY SKETCH, SERIES, SPECIALS |

Creative Arts and Other Emmy Categories GUEST ACTING, VOICE-OVER | SHORT FORM | DOCUMENTARY | MUSIC | ANIMATED |

About the Primetime Emmy Awards 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, artisans, and executives.