2022 Emmy Predictions: Will Quinta Brunson and ‘Abbott Elementary’ Make History?
Nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards are official, and many fan favorites received the nod this year.
From Insecure to Abbott Elementary to many other phenomenal scene-stealing Black actors, while we’re always rooting for everyone Black and everyone is a winner in our eyes, we understand everyone isn’t able to take home the gold come September 12th.
BET.com wanted to join in on the conversation and create a predictions list for some of the categories to share who we feel will walk away victorious at this year’s ceremony.
Let’s kick it off with the first category, shall we?
Best Drama Series
Stranger Things (Netflix)
Succession (HBO)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
Euphoria (HBO)
Ozark (Netflix)
Squid Game (Netflix)
Severance (AppleTV+)
Yellowjackets (Showtime)
Prediction: Squid Game
This is a tough category as each show has such a loyal and strong fan base bringing in an enormous amount of viewership to their respective streaming service.
However, the South Korean survival drama series is surely taking the W in September. The show remains the number one program on Netflix, reaching over 1 billion hours in viewership, with Stranger Things coming in second place.
From the iconic “Red Light, Green Light” scene that was parodied for months to fans still keeping the show top of mind in water-cooler conversations to the streaming service developing a competition series directly after the hit show.
For us, it’s a no-brainer that this drama is taking home the Emmy statuette.
Best Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Barry (HBO)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Hacks (HBO)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Ted Lasso (AppleTV+)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Prediction: Abbott Elementary
This ABC comedy series is a shoo-in to win. The barriers this show continues to break is an example of how much of an unstoppable force not only the series is, but the series creator Quinta Brunson as well.
From her days making us laugh on social media to making us laugh on primetime television, it is a success story. Brunson also made history even before grabbing a statuette in September by becoming the first Black woman to receive three comedy Emmy nominations due to the series.
She’s already a winner in our book, and we’ll be waiting for her to add another fun fact to her speech when she accepts this award.
Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
- Issa Rae (Insecure)
- Kaley Cuoco (The Flight Attendant)
- Elle Fanning (The Great)
- Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
- Jean Smart (Hacks)
Prediction: Quinta Brunson
This was a hard decision as Issa Rae and Quinta Brunson delivered on their respective shows with Insecure’s final season and Abbott Elementary’s first season. Both ladies are super deserving; however, this is a history-making win for Brunson in this category.
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Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
Alex Bornstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Juno Tempo (Ted Lasso)
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Love)
Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso)
Prediction: Sheryl Lee Ralph
With over 50 years in the Hollywood business giving the world stellar performances, one of America’s favorite moms is finally Emmy nominated.
Her role at Abbott Elementary as Barbara Howard could be the role to get her the Emmy win. Her role on the show is infectious and represents many teachers from today's older generation in such a graceful way.
Overjoyed with her son on vacation in Jamaica, we can only imagine the flood of happy tears and joy the actress will have once accepting the statuette.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan (Barry)
Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso)
Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary)
Henry Winkler (Barry)
Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live)
Prediction: Tyler James Williams
Not only does Tyler deserve this award, but if there were an award for “Best Actor to Break The Fourth Wall,” Williams would be taking that home, too.
This marks the Everybody Hates Chris actor’s first Emmy nomination, and we feel he will ultimately walk away with the statuette. His performance as Gregory reminds us of a live-action Squidward saying everything we all want to say but doesn’t dare to do so.
A voice for the people is a win in itself, but it will be an ultimate victory if Williams can walk away from the ceremony with gold in hand.
Ty Cole is a New York-based entertainment reporter and writer for BET.com who covers pop culture, music, and lifestyle. Follow his latest musings on Twitter @IamTyCole.
