HBO, Jean Smart and Zendaya may be heading into Emmy history together.
As drug addiction drama “Euphoria” and hard-hitting comedy “Hux” officially launch their third and fifth seasons Sunday night, both stars found themselves on the verge of doing something no woman has ever accomplished before: winning an Emmy for every season of their series.
In the history of the Emmy Awards, the only performer to win in every season of a series (three or more seasons) in the acting category is Bill Cosby, who won the trophy in all three seasons of the drama I Spy (1966-1968). Blythe Danner also won both seasons of Hough in 2005 and 2006, but the series was canceled after two seasons (I Spy was also canceled). In the decades since then, the greatest modern example of failure has been Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won six of the seven seasons of the political satire Veep, losing only the final season. This nearsweep remains one of the most memorable runs in television history.
Smart is the central character of “The Hucks” and a major reason why the series will be remembered as one of television’s most beloved comedies. Spanning five seasons over six years, the show endured a production hiatus due to Hollywood strikes and remained consistently popular with industry voters. Through it all, Smart has prevailed, collecting the lead comedy actress trophy in each eligible season thus far. Early reviews suggest she may be poised for more wins, but she’ll face stiff competition from “The Comeback’s” Lisa Kudrow and “Abbott Elementary’s” Quinta Brunson.
Smart, 74, has won seven Emmy Awards over her career, including two consecutive wins for Best Guest Comedy Actress for “Frasier” and Best Supporting Comedy Actress for “Samantha Who?”
Zendaya’s path in “Euphoria” was more unconventional, but no less impressive.
The first season of the Sam Levinson-produced drama premiered in June 2019 as an eight-episode series, followed by two standalone specials released in December 2020 and January 2021. These two one-shot specials received recognition for Creative Arts, but were not considered for the Best Actress or Main Series races and were not considered part of the official season. The second season will debut in January 2022, and the long-delayed third season will arrive after a four-year gap.
HBO
Notably, HBO has yet to reveal whether this will be the final season of Euphoria, despite Zendaya hinting so in a recent interview. In any case, she remains undefeated in the Drama Leading Actress category. He won his first title in 2020 at the age of 24, making him the youngest winner in the history of this category. Her second win, along with a further nomination for Outstanding Producer of a Drama Series, made her the youngest woman to be nominated for an Emmy for Producer and the youngest person to be nominated for Best Actress twice.
If (and when?) Smart and Zendaya earn nominations, they will join an elite list of performers nominated for each season of their respective shows.
Thirty-one actors have been nominated for each season of each series (which ran for 33 episodes), including Alan Alda (MASH) and Ed Asner (Lou Grant and Mary Tyler Moo). The cast includes Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Kathy Baker (Picket Fences), Jason Bateman (Ozark), and Ed Begley Jr. (St. Louis). Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Bill Cosby (I Spy), Bryan Cranston (The Marvelous Mrs. Robert Culp (I Spy), Blythe Danner (Huff), Ted Danson (Cheers), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Tina Fey (30 (The Golden Girls), Estelle Getty (The Golden Girls), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), Linda Kelsey (Lou Grant), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), Nancy Marchand (Lou Grant), Mary Tyler Moore (Mary Tyler Moore) Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), David Hyde Pierce (Frasier), Billy Porter (Pose), Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Betty Thomas (Hill Street Blues), Betty White (The Golden Girls), Robin Wright (House of Cards).
A “hack” could add even more depth to that story. Not only does Smart join the weekly nominations club, but co-star Hannah Einbinder is also poised to achieve a perfect five-out-of-five nomination streak for supporting comedy actress if she follows up on her win last season with another nomination this year.
Similar conversations could happen in the future during this year’s Emmy race. FX’s “The Bear” has continued to win numerous awards over the past three years. Four actors could earn their fourth consecutive nomination: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and guest star Jon Bernthal. The fifth and final season is scheduled for June 2026, and will qualify for the 2027 Emmy Awards, so some members of the ensemble may end up following a similar history.
Emmy voters often respond to narrative as well as performance, and few narratives are more convincing than sweeping wins by two iconic women. If both men cross the finish line, the Emmy Awards will rewrite part of its own history.
