From former Emmy winners to first-time nominees, the race for Best Comedy Supporting Actress stands out as one of the year’s most competitive and unpredictable contests. Whether delivering unforgettable lines or stealing-scenes moments, each candidate’s fate depends on the single episode submitted for consideration.
Here’s a full look at the episodes selected by Dale Dickey, Hannah Einbinder, Janelle James, Kate O’Flynn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Megan Stalter, and Jessica Williams.
Dale Dickey (Widow’s Bay)
Episode: “Beach Reads”
Character: Rosemary
Recap: As Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) throws a party under the influence of a cursed spellbook, her unhelpful assistant Rosemary tracks down obscure ritual ingredients and offers dry commentary as the gathering descends into chaos.
Emmy history: This is Dickey’s first Emmy nomination. She is a veteran character actress best known for her Independent Spirit Award-winning performance in Winter’s Bone.
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Episode: “Hacks” (Finale)
Character: Ava Daniels
Recap: When Deborah receives a terminal diagnosis and plans a final European farewell tour instead of undergoing treatment, Ava accompanies her to Paris, ultimately convincing her mentor to keep fighting and return to writing together.
Emmy history: This is Einbinder’s fifth nomination in this category for Hacks after being previously nominated in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 when she won her first statuette.
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
Episode: “No Homework”
Character: Ava Coleman
Recap: Ava institutes a strict no homework policy across Abbott Elementary to ease stress, sending the teaching staff into chaos.
Emmy history: This is James’s fifth consecutive nomination for Comedy Supporting Actress for Abbott Elementary (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).
Kate O’Flynn (Widow’s Bay)
Episode: “Beach Reads”
Character: Patricia
Recap: Patricia attempts to win over the local townspeople by throwing a party, unaware that a self-help book she found is cursed and controlling her actions.
Emmy history: This is O’Flynn’s first Emmy nomination.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo’s Got Money Troubles)
Episode: “Flamingos”
Character: Shyanne
Recap: Margo (Elle Fanning), Jinx (Nick Offerman), and baby Bodhi head to Las Vegas for Shyanne’s (Michelle Pfeiffer) quickie wedding to Kenny (Greg Kinnear).
Emmy history: This is Pfeiffer’s second acting Emmy nomination after being previously nominated in 2017 for Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actress for The Wizard of Lies. She is also nominated this year as an executive producer in Best Comedy Series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
Megan Stalter (Hacks)
Episode: “QuikScribbl”
Character: Kayla Schaefer
Recap: While on a chaotic road trip to secure comedian Bruno Fox for Deborah’s new residency, Jimmy and Kayla accidentally prompt the star to confess to a past crime and turn himself in. The fallout hits Kayla hard when her powerful agent father responds by seizing her car and cutting her off financially.
Emmy history: This is Stalter’s first Emmy nomination.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking)
Episode: “Depression Diet”
Character: Dr. Gaby Evans
Recap: After learning shocking personal information about Maya from her clients, who subsequently fire her, Gaby reaches a breaking point. She decides to take a leave of absence from her practice to fully process her grief and depression.
Emmy history: This is Williams’ third consecutive nomination in this category for Shrinking (2023, 2025, and 2026).
