Emmys 2026 Guest Actor/Actress Predictions

Variety The Awards Circuit section is home to all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety awards editor-in-chief Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect the personal preferences of any individual participant. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Forecasts are updated every Thursday.

Guest star categories – Actor (Comedy, Drama) and Actress (Comedy, Drama) (updated: May 21, 2026): The guest acting races have long been the Emmys’ most unpredictable quartet.

Unlike main and supporting categories, where performers benefit from sustained visibility over an entire season, guest candidates rely on being “unforgettable” in just one episode. This year’s field includes a nice mix of returning Emmy winners, beloved television veterans, and a few performers still in the hunt for their first statue.

As a guest star in a drama series, Colman Domingo serves as an early frontrunner for the reprise of Rue Bennett’s Narcotics Anonymous sponsor Ali Muhammed in HBO Max’s “Euphoria.” Domingo won this category back in 2022 for the role, and the character’s emotionally resonant monologues remain in the series. It also helps that the actor could find himself in contention elsewhere this season, including potential bids for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Four Seasons.” His co-star Eric Dane, who returned to “Euphoria” as Cal Jacobs, the deeply conflicted patriarch, will have the possibility of a posthumous honor. Dane’s recent passing adds an emotional layer to the campaign that could resonate with Television Academy voters.

As a guest actress on a drama series, Shailene Woodley seems to have momentum for her performance in Hulu’s “Paradise.” Still, the category could quickly become crowded, as Merritt Wever remains one of the Academy’s most respected performers, with three Emmy wins in three separate categories. Meanwhile, Elisabeth Moss emerges as a major spoiler for Hulu’s “The Testaments,” a June Osborne revival of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

The race for guest comedy actors may ultimately come down to whether voters want to reward celebrity favorites or spread the wealth. Jon Bernthal won this category back in 2024 for playing Mikey Berzatto, Carmy’s late older brother in FX’s “The Bear.” His surprise episode, co-written with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, has generated strong words that could bring him back into the lineup.

However, Bernthal faces competition from the trio of ‘Shrinking’ scene-stealers: Michael J. Fox, Brett Goldstein and Jeff Daniels. The biggest question might be whether the ensemble’s popularity helps elevate all three voices, or creates enough division in the voices to open the door for someone else.

Guest comedy actress has a similar dynamic. Jamie Lee Curtis won the category in 2024 for her chaotic and heartbreaking performance as Donna “DeeDee” Berzatto in “The Bear” and appears well-positioned for another nomination. Any formidable contingent of “Hacks” could join her, especially Laurie Metcalf and Kaitlin Olson. Additional threats could come from ‘Shrinking’, including Candice Bergen and Sherry Cola.

All official category entries have yet to be confirmed and anything could change before the end of the entry cycle.

The Emmy Awards timeline begins with voting in the nomination round from June 11 to 22, with nominations announced on July 8. Final voting will take place from August 17 to 26, leading to the Creative Arts Awards and Governors Gala on September 5 and 6, culminating in the Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14 on NBC.