Zendaya and Jean Smart Eye First-Ever Emmy Sweep by Women for a Single Series. Will They Pull It Off?
by Clayton Davis · VarietyHBO, Jean Smart and Zendaya could be headed toward 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 single season of their series.
In Emmy history, the only performer to win for every season of a series (with three or more seasons) in an acting category is Bill Cosby, who took home trophies for all three seasons of the drama “I Spy” (1966–1968). Blythe Danner also won for both seasons of “Huff” in 2005 and 2006, though the series was canceled after two seasons. In the decades since, the closest modern example that fell short was Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who won six of seven seasons of the political satire “Veep,” losing only in its final season. This near sweep remains one of the most impressive runs in television history.
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Smart has been the central force of “Hacks” and a major reason the series will be remembered as one of television’s most beloved comedies. Spanning five seasons across six years, the show navigated a production pause tied to the Hollywood strikes, yet remained a constant with industry voters. Through it all, Smart has dominated, collecting lead comedy actress trophies for each eligible season to date. Based on early reviews, she could be poised for another win, though she will face 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 two consecutive guest comedy actress awards for “Frasier” and a supporting comedy actress win for “Samantha Who?”
Zendaya’s path on “Euphoria” has been more unconventional but no less impressive.
The first season of the Sam Levinson-created drama premiered in June 2019 with eight episodes, which was followed by two standalone specials released in Dec. 2020 and Jan. 2021. Those two one-offs earned recognition at the Creative Arts but were not eligible for lead acting or main series races and are not considered official seasons. The second season debuted in Jan. 2022, and now the long-delayed third season arrives after a four-year gap.
Notably, HBO has yet to confirm whether this will be the final season of “Euphoria,” despite Zendaya suggesting as much in recent interviews. Regardless, she remains undefeated in the lead drama actress category. Her first win in 2020, at age 24, made her the youngest winner in the category’s history. Her second victory, alongside 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 lead acting nominee.
If (when?) Smart and Zendaya earn nominations, they will also join an elite list of performers who have been nominated for every season of their respective programs.
There have been 31 actors nominated for every season of their respective series (that have occurred across 33 instances), which includes: 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 narrative. Not only would Smart join the every-season nominee club, but her co-star Hannah Einbinder is also poised to complete a perfect five-for-five nomination streak in supporting comedy actress if she lands a nod this year, following her win last season.
This year’s Emmy race could also preview similar conversations in the future. FX’s “The Bear” has been an awards juggernaut for the past three years. Four of its actors — Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and guest performer Jon Bernthal — could secure 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 find themselves chasing similar history.
Emmy voters often respond to narrative as much as performance, and few narratives are as compelling as a clean sweep by two iconic women. If both cross the finish line, the Emmys will be rewriting a piece of its own history.