Zendaya and Jean Smart Poised to Make Emmy History With Unprecedented Sweep
Zendaya and Jean Smart could make Emmys history by winning for every season of “Euphoria” and “Hacks.”
Two of television's most celebrated actresses are on the cusp of making Emmy Awards history. Zendaya and Jean Smart are both positioned to win acting honors for every single season of their respective series, a feat that has never been achieved by women in the same Emmy cycle.
Zendaya, who stars as the troubled Rue Bennett in HBO's gritty drama 'Euphoria,' has already claimed Emmy gold for the show's first two seasons. A third win would cement her status as the most dominant actress in the drama category in recent memory, and would make her the youngest performer to achieve such a sweep for a single series.
Jean Smart, meanwhile, has been a dominant force in the comedy category with her role as sharp-tongued comedian Deborah Vance in HBO Max's 'Hacks.' Smart has won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for each of the show's previous seasons, and is once again considered a frontrunner as the acclaimed series continues to draw widespread praise from critics and voters alike.
The prospect of both women completing their sweeps in the same year has electrified Emmy watchers and industry insiders. Should both actresses prevail, it would mark the first time two women have simultaneously swept acting categories for their respective series in a single Emmy season, a milestone that underscores the remarkable quality of female-led television in the current era.
Competition remains fierce in both categories. Zendaya faces a loaded drama field, while Smart contends with a comedy landscape that continues to grow more competitive each year. Neither outcome is guaranteed, making the suspense heading into nomination and voting season all the more palpable.
Whether or not history is made, the trajectories of both Zendaya and Smart reflect a broader shift in Hollywood's recognition of women-led storytelling. Their performances have consistently drawn some of the most passionate critical responses on television, transcending awards discourse to become genuine cultural touchstones.