After three straight Emmy losses, Hacks star Hannah Einbinder could finally take home a trophy in 2025 thanks to a power shift, sharp writing, and standout performances in Season 4.
The fourth time might finally be the charm for Hannah Einbinder, who’s once again in the Emmy conversation for her role as Ava Daniels on Hacks. With Season 4 of the Max hit now airing through May 29, awards buzz is building around the actress as she navigates a dramatically leveled playing field with costar Jean Smart. After years of playing mentee to Jean Smart’s comedy legend Deborah Vance, Hannah Einbinder’s Ava now holds the cards—and maybe, just maybe, her first Primetime Emmy Award.
Einbinder’s competition is fierce—Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear), Jessica Williams (Shrinking), Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James (both from Abbott Elementary), and Catherine O’Hara (The Studio) are all gunning for the same prize. But the timing, storyline, and industry momentum may finally align in Einbinder’s favor.
In previous years, Einbinder lost to Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) in 2021, Sheryl Lee Ralph in 2022, and Colón-Zayas in 2024. Meanwhile, Jean Smart has had an unbroken winning streak for her lead role, taking home three Emmys in a row. But Hacks Season 4 marks a turning point: Ava is no longer just Deborah’s scrappy assistant—she’s her head writer, having blackmailed her way into the position after learning about Deborah’s fling with a network executive.
“I was really looking forward to channeling all the great mob bosses,” Einbinder joked during a PaleyFest appearance. “Like, I was trying to go Ava Corleone on her.”
That shift in power has given Einbinder her meatiest material yet, and it shows. Her nuanced portrayal of Ava balancing ambition, loyalty, and manipulation is both sharp and vulnerable—precisely the kind of character work the Emmys tend to reward.
“There is so much that Ava channels in Deborah this season,” she explained. “But also, I’d like to think that Ava is not actually changing inside… she is herself, but she is forced to act in a certain way.”
History could be on her side, too. Several actors have won Emmys in their fourth seasons after losing the first three times, including Jimmy Smits (L.A. Law), Timothy Busfield (Thirtysomething), Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Michael J. Fox (Spin City), and Tyne Daly (Judging Amy).
Even stars who weren’t nominated in their first three seasons have broken through with major fourth-season wins—Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Lisa Kudrow (Friends), and Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) all hit their Emmy stride in Season 4.
As Hacks continues to dominate the conversation—and air weekly episodes through the thick of Emmy eligibility season—Einbinder may be perfectly positioned to finally join the winners’ circle.
For now, here’s where Gold Derby ranks the top contenders for 2025’s Best Comedy Supporting Actress:
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Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) – 31/10 odds
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Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) – 4/1 odds
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Jessica Williams (Shrinking) – 13/2 odds
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Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) – 13/2 odds
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Catherine O’Hara (The Studio) – 15/2 odds
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Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) – 10/1 odds
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Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building) – 22/1 odds
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Meg Stalter (Hacks) – 60/1 odds
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Patti LuPone (Agatha All Along) – 64/1 odds
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Kathryn Hahn (The Studio) – 100/1 odds
Whether she wins or not, Season 4 is a career highlight for Einbinder—and fans are already calling it her best work yet. Could 2025 finally be the year she takes home the trophy? Stay tuned.
