Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Liza Colón-Zayas in “The Bear”
FX
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Commentary (Updated June 19, 2025): With 141 submissions in the race, expect the category to revolve around a trio of ensemble-heavy series: FX’s “The Bear,” ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and Apple TV+’s “The Studio.”
Currently leading the pack is Liza Colón-Zayas, whose nuanced portrayal of Tina in “The Bear” has emerged as one of the most emotionally resonant performances in this comedy field. After earning her first Emmy win last year, she returns in the best episode of the season — “Napkins” — delivering a standout arc that’s equal parts vulnerable and tough.
She’ll face serious competition from three-time nominee Janelle James, whose scene-stealing performance as Ava in “Abbott Elementary” remains a hit with voters and critics alike. James’ unrelenting energy and unpredictability is sure to make it on the ballot, while her co-star and Season 1 Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to earn praise for her warmth, authority and comic timing as Barbara Howard.
But this year’s major disruptor could be “The Studio,” Apple TV+’s industry-skewering comedy that is quickly gaining traction and could be one of the most-nominated freshman series. Catherine O’Hara, already a beloved Emmy favorite from “Schitt’s Creek,” is once again in conversation for her sharp, dry turn as a ex-studio head. She’s joined by Kathryn Hahn, whose layered work as a neurotic showrunner balances slapstick and emotional depth — a familiar Emmy formula for success. With growing support, a double nomination for “The Studio” is well within reach, even a possible third for Chase Sui Wonders.
Also hovering just outside the top six is Jessica Williams, who received a Critics Choice nomination earlier this season for her charming role in Apple’s “Shrinking.”
Other possible spoilers include a posthumous nom for Linda Lavin from “Mid-Century Modern,” Meg Stalter from “Hacks,” Jane Lynch returning to “Only Murders,” and any “Saturday Night Live” regulars notably Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Ego Nwodim, and Heidi Gardner, who could capitalize on SNL’s landmark 50th season.
The Emmys eligibility period ends on May 31. Nomination voting runs from June 12 to June 23, with official nominations set to be announced July 15.
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And the Predicted Contenders Are:
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More Information (Supporting Actress Comedy)
2024 category winner: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear” (FX) — Season 3
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About the Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy Awards, commonly known as the Emmys, are awarded by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Established in 1949, these celebrate outstanding achievements in American primetime television. The Emmys are categorized into three divisions: the Primetime Emmy Awards for performance and production excellence; the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, recognizing achievements in artistry and craftsmanship; and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards, which honor significant engineering and technological advancements. The eligibility period typically extends from June 1 to May 31 each year. The Television Academy hosts the Emmys and has over 20,000 members across 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors, artisans and executives.
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