2024 Emmy Predictions: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
Click on for more of our previous thoughts on what to expect at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
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The State of the Race
One could argue that the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category has the strongest frontrunner among the comedy acting categories because “The Bear” star Ebon Moss-Bachrach is not nominated against anyone else who has won before, or is nominated for the final season of their show. There isn’t even anyone from a new series.
The former “Girls” actor was an interesting awards campaign case study last year because up until “The Bear” Season 2 premiered during nominations voting he was considered on the bubble. But one endearing Taylor Swift sing-a-long later, Moss-Bacharach ends up winning over two-time Emmy winner Brett Goldstein for the final season of “Ted Lasso.” Now joining him is co-star Lionel Boyce, who got the other well-received character spotlight episode in Season 2 of “The Bear.”
It would be unfortunate for voters to only focus on the performances from one show though. For instance, it has been very funny to see Tyler James Williams as teacher Gregory Eddie on “Abbott Elementary” open up more, and be less of the straight man. One of the better arcs within Season 3 of the hit ABC sitcom has been how it has handled the will-they-won’t-they relationship between he and creator/star Quinta Brunson’s character, with an episode of them unexpectedly running into each other at a local bar being a comedic highlight on his end.
Bowen Yang, another three-time Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominee, also has grown into one of the most dependable players on “Saturday Night Live,” starring in Season 49 highlights like “Moulin Rouge” opposite Ariana Grande, and “ABBA Christmas” alongside Outstanding Lead (and Guest) Actress in a Comedy Series nominees Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. It actually would be a good time for him to win if voters were interested in adding a stamp of approval to a clear rising star, though a win for the upcoming 50th season feels more likely.
Finally, looking at the pair of Pauls, Paul W. Downs actually is already an Emmy winner for “Hacks,” having co-written the pilot with his partner Lucia Aniello and their co-showrunner Jen Statsky. Being eligible for multiple categories (Downs has directed multiple episodes of the Max hit as well) likely de-incentivized voters from recognizing his acting work in previous years, and probably still puts a pause on them voting for him to win this time around, but the nomination is a welcome bit of momentum.
On the flipside, this seems to be the only chance for voters to recognize Paul Rudd for his work on “Only Murders in the Building,” unless there are flashbacks still to be seen, but Emmy voters are not too often enthuses about voting for an extended big name cameo over supporting comedy performances that at their best can feel like the glue that holds a show together.
Nominees are listed in order of their likelihood to win.
Power Rankings:
Ebon Moss-Bacharach, “The Bear” (FX)
Lionel Boyce, “The Bear” (FX)
Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Paul Rudd, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
Paul W. Downs, “Hacks” (Max)
Will Win: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
Could Win: Lionel Boyce, “The Bear”
Should Win: Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”
More Comedy Category Predictions:
Outstanding Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
View IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 76th Emmy Awards.
Last Year’s Winner: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
Still Eligible: Yes.
Hot Streak: Should Ebon Moss-Bacharach win, it would not set any records, but if “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson were nominated, it would extend his record as the most nominated star of the late night comedy series in this category. If Thompson were left off, but co-star Bowen Yang still got a nomination, it would tie said record.
Notable Ineligible Series: Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster, “Ted Lasso” (ended); Henry Winkler and Anthony Carrigan, “Barry” (ended); James Marsden, “Jury Duty” (Season 2 is not eligible)
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