Before voting for the Emmy winners begins Aug. 17, Television Academy members are encouraged to watch all of the nominees’ episode submissions. While the lead and supporting acting episode submissions will be unveiled soon by Gold Derby, the guest stars’ choices in drama and comedy were publicly available on the nominating ballots.
Read on for everything to know about the Emmy episode submissions for Best Comedy Guest Actress, in which the seven contenders include two first-time nominees and a trio of former champions.
Leslie Bibb (Hacks)
Episode: “Montecito”
Character: Monica
Recap: When Deborah and Ava arrive at the Montecito house, Kelly’s younger wife, Monica, joins the party, with her sights set on Ava.
Emmy history: This is Bibb’s first nomination.
Jamie Lee Curtis (The Bear)
Episode: “Tonnato”
Character: Donna Berzatto
Recap: Looking at old photos with Carmy, Donna wants to share a list of things. She apologizes for failing her kids, admits she is working on herself and wants to be part of Carmy’s life. Carmy apologizes for leaving, tells Donna he loves her and shows her by cooking for her.
Emmy history: This is Curtis’ fourth nomination; she previously won for The Bear (2024) and was also nominated for Nicholas’ Gift (1998) and The Bear (2025).
Betty Gilpin (Widow’s Bay)
Episode: “Our History”
Character: Sarah Westcott Warren
Recap: In 1702, Sarah Wescott arrives in Widow’s Bay to marry its founder, her hopeful composure quickly giving way to quiet unease. After tiptoeing around this man and dread takes hold, she summons a fragile resolve to escape with his children—but her tragic fate leaves a lingering shadow.
Emmy history: This is Gilpin’s fourth nomination; she was previously nominated for GLOW (2018-20)
Cherry Jones (Hacks)
Episode: “Montecito”
Character: Kelly
Recap: In order to get Carol Burnett’s jumpsuit for her MSG show, Deborah has to right a wrong with comedian Kelly Kilpatrick that she offended years earlier. Kelly assumes Deborah and Ava are together, and offers to wipe the slate clean by having the “couple” join her for a weekend getaway.
Emmy history: This is Jones’ seventh nomination; she previously won three Emmys for 24 (2009), The Handmaid’s Tale (2019), and Succession (2020), and was also nominated for The Handmaid’s Tale (2018 and 2025) and Succession (2023).
Laurie Metcalf (Hacks)
Episode: “The Garden””
Character: Weed
Recap: After Bob Lipka sabotages Deborah’s MSG show, Deb decides to pivot to a free show in Central Park. Without a stage to perform on, the team is all but out of options until they run into Weed, who saves the day by letting Deborah use Fall Out Boy’s stage.
Emmy history: This is Metcalf’s 14th nomination; she previously won three for Roseanne (1992-94) and one for Hacks (2022), and was also nominated for Roseanne (1995 and 2018), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1999), Monk (2006), Desperate Housewives (2007), The Big Bang Theory (2016), Horace and Pete (2016), Getting On (2016), and Monster (2026).
Kaitlin Olson (Hacks)
Episode: “D’Amazing Race”
Character: DJ Vance
Recap: When DJ’s favorite show, The Amazing Race, announces a celebrity season, she’ll stop at nothing to compete with Deborah by her side.
Emmy history: This is Olson’s fourth nomination; she was previously nominated for Flipped (2020) and Hacks (2022 and 2024).
Lauren Weedman (Hacks)
Episode: “The Cube”
Character: Mayor Jo Pezzimenti
Recap: When Deborah gets stuck in the Cube during a city-wide blackout, Mayor Jo comes to the rescue, rallying the local news and Vegas bystanders in an effort to drum up publicity for Deborah.
Emmy history: This is Weedman’s first nomination.
The four guest-acting Emmys will be handed out at the Creative Arts ceremonies, taking place Sept. 5–6 at the Peacock Theater.
