Emmy Nominations: Quinta Brunson Makes History, Women Directors Lead in Comedy Category

Awards

Emmy Nominations: Quinta Brunson Makes History, Women Directors Lead in Comedy Category

It turns out that “Abbott Elementary” is a major hit with viewers, critics, and Emmy voters. Emmy nominations are in, and Quinta Brunson’s loving tribute to underpaid and underappreciated public school teachers has landed her in the history books. The creator of the hit ABC mockumentary earned nominations for comedy series, lead actress in a comedy series, and writing for a comedy series, making her “the first Black woman to earn three noms in the comedy categories in the same year. At 32, Brunson is also the youngest Black woman ever nominated in the comedy acting category,” per Variety.

It’s also shaping up to be another big year for women directors at the ceremony. Last year marked the first time that women prevailed in both the drama and comedy directing categories. Jessica Hobbs won for the “The Crown” and Lucia Aniello for “Hacks,” respectively.

This time around, five of seven nominees in the comedy category are women: Aniello (“Hacks”), Cherien Dabis (“Only Murders in the Building”), Jamie Babbit (“Only Murders in the Building”), MJ Delaney (“Ted Lasso”), and Mary Lou Belli (“The Ms. Pat Show”).

Women account for three of seven nominees in the drama directing category. Cathy Yan (“Succession”), Lorene Scafaria (“Succession”), and Karyn Kusama (“Yellowjackets”) are up for honors.

Eight episodes of television are being recognized in the Writing for a Comedy series category, and five are written or co-written by women. Besides Brunson, nominees also include Aniello and Jen Statsky (with Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”) and Stefani Robinson (“What We Do in the Shadows”).

Eight episodes of television are also being celebrated in the Drama category, and two are co-written by a woman: Ashley Lyle of “Yellowjackets.”

Francesca Gregorini (“The Dropout”) is the sole woman helmer in the Limited or Anthology Series, Movie category. Of six writers up for writing in that category, three are women: Molly Smith Metzler (“Maid”), Elizabeth Meriwether (“The Dropout”), and Sarah Burgess (“Impeachment: American Crime Story”).

Acting nominees this year include “Insecure’s” Issa Rae (Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) and “Yellowjackets'” Melanie Lynskey (Lead Actress in a Drama Series).

The Emmys will take place September 12. Check out all of the nominees here.