Nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
The 77th annual Emmy Awards, held on Sunday, September 14, 2025, showcased exceptional talent in the comedy category. Among the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series were Ayo Edebiri for her role in The Bear, Kristen Bell for Nobody Wants This, Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary, and Uzo Aduba for The Residence. Each actress delivered a remarkable performance, contributing to the vibrant landscape of television comedy.
Jean Smart’s Triumph in Hacks
Jean Smart, aged 74, secured another victory for her portrayal of comedian Deborah Vance in the HBO Max series Hacks. This win marked her fourth Emmy for the role and her sixth overall, with a career total of 14 nominations. During her acceptance speech at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Smart expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I am deeply honored by this recognition. It’s humbling to stand here.” She lightheartedly mentioned her physical condition, saying, “If my walk resembled John Wayne’s, it’s because I injured my knee this summer, and it’s still healing.”
Smart continued, praising her colleagues: “Winning this award allows me to publicly thank the incredible people I work with. Our dedicated crew, my extraordinary castmates, led by the phenomenal Hannah Einbinder, and our brilliant showrunners make this possible. My children are my foundation, and Joe Pacheco, my unwavering supporter.” She closed with a heartfelt message: “Let’s all treat each other with kindness and respect.”
Reflecting on her role last year, Smart humorously remarked, “I’m truly grateful for this honor. It’s humbling, and I certainly don’t lack for attention!” In a prior interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she shared her immediate connection to the role of Deborah Vance: “When I read the script, I knew it was the perfect role for me.” She added, “I hadn’t been a comedian, so earning the approval of real comedians was my test—and I believe I passed!”
Ayo Edebiri’s Dynamic Performance in The Bear
Ayo Edebiri, 29, captivated audiences as chef Sydney Adamu in The Bear, alongside co-star Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. The FX dramedy follows Carmy’s efforts to revive his Chicago restaurant with the support of his cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and sous-chef Sydney. Edebiri’s nomination extended beyond acting, as she was also recognized for directing the season 3 episode “Napkins.” In a Vanity Fair interview, she shared her lighthearted perspective: “I haven’t won an award recently, so I enjoy relaxing at these events. Being nominated among such talented individuals is an honor. I love television, and being part of this world is truly special.” Edebiri previously won Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2023, and in 2024, The Bear set a record with 23 comedy series nominations, surpassing 30 Rock’s 2009 record of 22.
Kristen Bell’s Breakthrough in Nobody Wants This
Kristen Bell, 55, earned her first Primetime Emmy nomination for her role as Joanne in Nobody Wants This. The Netflix series, inspired by creator Erin Foster’s real-life romance with her husband Simon Tikham, follows the love story between Joanne, a sex podcaster, and Noah, a progressive rabbi played by Adam Brody. The show navigates their cultural differences with humor and heart. Bell celebrated her nomination on Instagram, sharing a photo with Foster, who was also nominated as a producer. She captioned it: “Thrilled to learn I was nominated for an Emmy—and that Erin Foster was too!” Nobody Wants This also received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Quinta Brunson’s Continued Success with Abbott Elementary
Quinta Brunson, 35, has been a driving force behind Abbott Elementary as its creator, star, writer, and executive producer since its 2021 debut. Portraying second-grade teacher Janine Teagues, Brunson won the Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy in 2024, becoming the first Black woman to achieve this honor in 42 years. In her 2024 acceptance speech, she expressed her passion: “Creating Abbott Elementary is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to bring comedy to life and share it with audiences.” In a June 2025 Bustle cover story, Brunson discussed the show’s future, noting, “Five seasons on network TV is a blessing, but our demanding schedule limits opportunities for my cast. I’m exploring new scripts to support their growth and mine.” She added, “I’m known for playing Janine, but I’m eager to explore roles that challenge that type.” Brunson’s 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Writing and her 12 career nominations highlight her multifaceted talent, with Abbott Elementary also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2025.
Uzo Aduba’s Compelling Role in The Residence
Uzo Aduba, 44, portrayed detective Cordelia Cupp in The Residence, a Netflix comedy developed by Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland and creator Paul William Davies. Aduba’s character investigates a surprising murder at the White House. Reflecting on the season’s dramatic finale in a PEOPLE interview, Aduba shared, “The reveal of the killer was a complete surprise to me. It was an unexpected twist!” Despite four nominations, The Residence was not renewed for a second season. Aduba’s Emmy history is notable: she became the first woman to win in both comedy and drama categories for the same role in Orange Is the New Black, earning three wins and six nominations overall.
Watch the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
For full coverage of the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, visit PEOPLE’s dedicated section for updates and highlights.
