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Could Season 4 of Hacks Be the One for Hannah Einbinder at the Emmys?
As the 2025 Emmy Awards approach, the spotlight is once again on Hannah Einbinder, whose performance in Hacks as Ava Daniels has earned her nominations for three consecutive seasons. Despite her talent and critical acclaim, Einbinder has yet to secure a win, falling short against formidable contenders such as Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso in 2021, Sheryl Lee Ralph from Abbott Elementary in 2022, and Liza Colón-Zayas from The Bear in 2024. Meanwhile, her co-star Jean Smart has had a remarkable track record, winning Best Comedy Actress for each season of the show.
Recent predictions by Gold Derby suggest that Einbinder may finally achieve Emmy glory with her performance in Season 4. Currently, she is leading the predictions, with stiff competition from nominees including Colón-Zayas, Jessica Williams from Shrinking, Ralph, Catherine O’Hara from The Studio, and Janelle James from Abbott Elementary.
Einbinder’s chances are bolstered by her role in Hacks, which has claimed the title of Emmy Award winner for Best Comedy Series. The show is airing its fourth season on Max from April 10 to May 29, keeping it fresh in the minds of voters. With nine Emmy wins across its first three seasons, Hacks has established a strong reputation, further heightening expectations for Einbinder’s performance.
In Season 4, the dynamic between Deborah and Ava shifts significantly, creating new narrative opportunities for Einbinder. With Deborah recently named host of a late-night talk show and Ava wrestling with her new position as head writer, the storylines offer an exciting platform for character development. The series explores their interplay as they navigate fame and ambition, allowing Einbinder to showcase her acting versatility.
“I was really looking forward to channeling all the great mob bosses,” Einbinder remarked while attending PaleyFest. “Me and Jean, we have fun with that stuff, because we have so much love. So, for us to be fighting, we’re completely playing … because we’re just girlies.”
Reflecting on Ava’s evolution this season, Einbinder explained, “There is so much that Ava channels in Deborah this season. But also, I’d like to think that Ava is not actually changing inside. I think she is herself, but she is forced to act in a certain way. I don’t think that she is irreparably changed for the worse.”
Historically, several actors have achieved Emmy recognition in their fourth season after going home empty-handed during the first three. Notable examples include Jimmy Smits from L.A. Law in 1990 and Tyne Daly from Judging Amy in 2003. Additionally, Season 4 has served as a breakthrough for others, such as Lisa Kudrow from Friends in 1998 and Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black in 2016.
As the Emmy nominations draw closer, expectations continue to build for Einbinder. Here are the top contenders for Best Comedy Supporting Actress according to Gold Derby:
- Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) — 31/10 odds
- Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) — 4/1 odds
- Jessica Williams (Shrinking) — 13/2 odds
- Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) — 13/2 odds
- Catherine O’Hara (The Studio) — 15/2 odds
- Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) — 10/1 odds
- Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building) — 22/1 odds
- Meg Stalter (Hacks) — 60/1 odds
- Patti LuPone (Agatha All Along) — 64/1 odds
- Kathryn Hahn (The Studio) — 100/1 odds
As the date for the nominations comes closer, the buzz surrounding Hacks and its cast continues to grow, urging fans and critics alike to make their predictions. The winners will be revealed soon, and the industry watches closely to see if this could finally be Einbinder’s year.
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www.goldderby.com