Zendaya, Jean Smart Eye Historic Emmy Sweep for ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Hacks’

HBO, Jean Smart and Zendaya can go down in Emmy history together.

With the drug addiction drama “Euphoria” and the biting comedy “Hacks” officially kicking off their third and fifth seasons on Sunday night, both stars find themselves within striking distance of something no woman has ever accomplished: winning an Emmy for every season of their series.

In Emmy history, Bill Cosby is the only performer to win every season of a series (with three or more seasons) in an acting category, taking home trophies for all three seasons of the drama “I Spy” (1966-1968). Blythe Danner also won both seasons of “Huff” in 2005 and 2006, although the series was canceled after two seasons (“I Spy” was also canceled). In the decades that followed, the closest modern example to fall short was Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won six of the seven seasons of the political satire “Veep” and lost only in the final season. This near-sweep remains one of the most impressive runs in television history.

Smart has been the central force of “Hacks” and a major reason why the series will be remembered as one of television’s most beloved comedies. The show spanned five seasons over six years and had a production hiatus related to the Hollywood strikes, yet remained a constant with industry voters. Through it all, Smart has dominated, collecting lead comedy actress trophies for every eligible season to date. Based on early reviews, she could be poised for another win, although she faces strong competition from Lisa Kudrow in “The Comeback” and Quinta Brunson in “Abbott Elementary.”

Smart, 74, has won seven Emmys over the course of her career, including back-to-back guest comedy actress awards for “Frasier” and a supporting comedy actress win for “Samantha Who?”

Zendaya’s path on ‘Euphoria’ was more unconventional but no less impressive.

The first season of the Sam Levinson-created drama premiered in June 2019 with eight episodes, followed by two standalone specials released in December 2020 and January 2021. These two one-off episodes received Creative Arts recognition, but were not eligible for main cast or races in the main series and are not considered official seasons. The second season debuted in January 2022, and now the long-delayed third season arrives after a four-year hiatus.

Notably, HBO has yet to confirm whether this will be the final season of ‘Euphoria’, despite Zendaya suggesting so in recent interviews. Regardless, she remains undefeated in the lead drama actress category. Her first win in 2020, at the age of 24, made her the youngest winner in the category’s history. Her second win, in addition to additional nominations as a producer for outstanding drama series, also made her the youngest woman nominated for producing at the Emmys, as well as the youngest two-time leading actress nominated.

If (when?) Smart and Zendaya earn nominations, they will also join an elite list of artists nominated for each season of their respective shows.

There are 31 actors nominated for each season of their respective series (which have appeared in 33 cases), including: Alan Alda (“MASH”), Ed Asner (“Lou Grant” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”), Kathy Baker (“Picket Fences”), Jason Bateman (“Ozark”), Ed Begley Jr. (“St. Elsewhere”), Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Bill Cosby (“I Spy”), Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Robert Culp (“I Spy”), Blythe Danner (“Huff”), Ted Danson (“Cheers”), Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”), Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), 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 (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), 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”) and Robin Wright (“House of Cards”).

“Hacks” could add even more to that story. Not only would Smart join the nominated club for every season, but her co-star Hannah Einbinder is also poised to complete a perfect five-to-five nomination streak in supporting comedy actress if she gets a nod this year, following her win last season.

This year’s Emmy race could also be a preview of similar conversations in the future. FX’s “The Bear” has been a big winner over the past three years. Four of the actors – Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and guest artist Jon Bernthal – were able to earn their fourth consecutive nominations. With a fifth and final season expected in June 2026 and eligibility for the 2027 Emmys, several members of the ensemble could be looking for a similar history.

Emmy voters often respond to the story as much as the performance, and few stories are as compelling as a clean sweep from two iconic women. If both make it to the finish line, the Emmys will rewrite a piece of their own history.