Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series is an award presented annually in the U.S. by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role on a television drama series for the primetime network season.

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
The 2024 recipient: Anna Sawai
Awarded forOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
CountryUnited States
Presented byAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences
First awarded1954
Currently held byAnna Sawai,
Shōgun (2024)
Websiteemmys.com

The award was first presented at the 6th Primetime Emmy Awards on February 11, 1954. The acting awards presented during the inaugural years were not genre-specific, with actresses in either drama or comedy series receiving nominations and awards. While Eve Arden was the first winner in the female acting category, Loretta Young was the first actress to win for a lead performance in a drama series. By 1966, the acting awards were split into drama and comedy categories, undergoing several name changes until settling with the current title.

Since its inception, the award has been given to 157 actresses, with 31 winning for performances in a drama series. Tyne Daly and Michael Learned hold the record for most wins in the category, with four each. Angela Lansbury is the most nominated actress in the category, with twelve nominations, though she never won. In 2015, Viola Davis became the first African-American woman to win, for her performance as Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder. In 2020, Zendaya became the youngest winner, at age 24, for Euphoria. She won again in 2022, becoming the first African-American to win twice. As of 2024, Anna Sawai is the most recent winner, receiving the award for her work on Shogun.

Winners and nominations

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Listed below are the winners of the award for each year, as well as the other nominees.

Key Meaning
Indicates the winning actress
# Indicates a performance in a miniseries or television film, prior to the category's creation
§ Indicates a performance as a guest performer, prior to the category's creation

1950s

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Year Actress Role Program Network
Best Female Star of a Regular Series
1954
(6th)
[note 1]
[1]
Eve Arden Connie Brooks Our Miss Brooks CBS
Lucille Ball Lucy Ricardo I Love Lucy CBS
Imogene Coca Various characters Your Show of Shows NBC
Dinah Shore Herself The Dinah Shore Show
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show
Best Actress Starring in a Regular Series
1955
(7th)
[note 1]
[2]
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show NBC
Gracie Allen Gracie Allen The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show CBS
Eve Arden Connie Brooks Our Miss Brooks
Lucille Ball Lucy Ricardo I Love Lucy
Ann Sothern Susie McNamara Private Secretary
Best Actress – Continuing Performance
1956
(8th)
[note 1]
[3]
Lucille Ball Lucy Ricardo I Love Lucy CBS
Gracie Allen Gracie Allen The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show CBS
Eve Arden Connie Brooks Our Miss Brooks
Jean Hagen Margaret Williams Make Room for Daddy ABC
Ann Sothern Susie McNamara Private Secretary CBS
Best Continuing Performance by an Actress
1957
(9th)
[note 1]
[4]
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show NBC
Jan Clayton Ellen Miller Lassie CBS
Ida Lupino Various characters Four Star Playhouse
Peggy Wood Mama Mama
Jane Wyman Various characters Jane Wyman Theatre NBC
Best Continuing Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series
1958
(10th)
[note 1]
[5]
Jane Wyatt Margaret Anderson Father Knows Best NBC
Eve Arden Liza Hammond The Eve Arden Show CBS
Spring Byington Lily Ruskin December Bride
Jan Clayton Ellen Miller Lassie
Ida Lupino Eve Drake Mr. Adams and Eve
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series
1959
(11th)
[6]
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show NBC
Phyllis Kirk Nora Charles The Thin Man NBC
June Lockhart Ruth Martin Lassie CBS
Jane Wyman Various characters The Jane Wyman Show NBC

1960s

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Year Actress Role Program Network
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead or Support)
1960
(12th)
[note 1]
[7]
Jane Wyatt Margaret Anderson Father Knows Best CBS
Donna Reed Donna Stone The Donna Reed Show ABC
Teresa Wright Margaret Bourke-White NBC Sunday Showcase NBC
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)
1961
(13th)
[note 1]
[8]
Barbara Stanwyck Various characters The Barbara Stanwyck Show NBC
Donna Reed Donna Stone The Donna Reed Show ABC
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show NBC
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)
1962
(14th)
[note 1]
[9]
Shirley Booth Hazel Burke Hazel NBC
Gertrude Berg Sarah Green The Gertrude Berg Show CBS
Donna Reed Donna Stone The Donna Reed Show ABC
Mary Stuart Joanne Gardner Search for Tomorrow CBS
Cara Williams Gladys Porter Pete and Gladys
1963
(15th)
[note 1]
[10]
Shirley Booth Hazel Burke Hazel NBC
Lucille Ball Lucy Carmichael The Lucy Show CBS
Shirl Conway Liz Thorpe The Nurses
Mary Tyler Moore Laura Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show
Irene Ryan Granny The Beverly Hillbillies
1964
(16th)
[note 1]
[11]
Mary Tyler Moore Laura Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show CBS
Shirley Booth Hazel Burke Hazel NBC
Patty Duke Cathy Lane The Patty Duke Show ABC
Irene Ryan Granny The Beverly Hillbillies CBS
Inger Stevens Katy Holstrum The Farmer's Daughter ABC
Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment – Actors and Performers
1965
(17th)
[note 1]
Leonard Bernstein Conductor New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein CBS
Lynn Fontanne Fanny Bowditch Holmes Hallmark Hall of Fame: "The Magnificent Yankee" NBC
Alfred Lunt Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Barbra Streisand Herself My Name Is Barbra CBS
Dick Van Dyke Rob Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show
Julie Andrews Herself The Andy Williams Show: "November 30, 1964" NBC
Johnny Carson Host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Gladys Cooper Margaret St. Clair The Rogues
Robert Coote Timmy St. Clair
Richard Crenna James Slattery Slattery's People CBS
Julie Harris Florence Nightingale Hallmark Hall of Fame: "The Holy Terror" NBC
Bob Hope Himself Chrysler Presents A Bob Hope Comedy Special
Dean Jagger Principal Albert Vane Mr. Novak
Danny Kaye Host The Danny Kaye Show CBS
David McCallum Illya Kuryakin The Man from U.N.C.L.E. NBC
Red Skelton Himself The Red Skelton Hour CBS
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series
1966
(18th)
[12]
Barbara Stanwyck Victoria Barkley The Big Valley ABC
Anne Francis Honey West Honey West ABC
Barbara Parkins Betty Anderson Cord Peyton Place
1967
(19th)
[13]
Barbara Bain Cinnamon Carter Mission: Impossible CBS
Diana Rigg Emma Peel The Avengers ABC
Barbara Stanwyck Victoria Barkley The Big Valley
1968
(20th)
[14]
Barbara Bain Cinnamon Carter Mission: Impossible CBS
Diana Rigg Emma Peel The Avengers ABC
Barbara Stanwyck Victoria Barkley The Big Valley
1969
(21st)
[15]
Barbara Bain Cinnamon Carter Mission: Impossible CBS
Joan Blondell Lottie Hatfield Here Come the Brides ABC
Peggy Lipton Julie Barnes The Mod Squad

1970s

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Year Actress Role Program Network
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series
1970
(22nd)
[16]
Susan Hampshire # Fleur Mont The Forsyte Saga NET
Joan Blondell Lottie Hatfield Here Come the Brides ABC
Peggy Lipton Julie Barnes The Mod Squad
1971
(23rd)
[17]
Susan Hampshire # Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough The First Churchills PBS
Linda Cristal Victoria Montoya The High Chaparral NBC
Peggy Lipton Julie Barnes The Mod Squad ABC
1972
(24th)
[18]
Glenda Jackson # Elizabeth I of England Elizabeth R PBS
Peggy Lipton Julie Barnes The Mod Squad ABC
Susan Saint James Sally McMillian McMillan & Wife NBC
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama Series - Continuing)
1973
(25th)
[19]
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
Lynda Day George Lisa Casey Mission: Impossible CBS
Susan Saint James Sally McMillian McMillan & Wife NBC
Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1974
(26th)
[20]
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
Jean Marsh Rose Buck Upstairs, Downstairs PBS
Jeanette Nolan Sally Fergus Dirty Sally CBS
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1975
(27th)
[21]
Jean Marsh Rose Buck Upstairs, Downstairs PBS
Angie Dickinson Sgt. Leann Anderson Police Woman NBC
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
1976
(28th)
[22]
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
Angie Dickinson Sgt. Leann Anderson Police Woman NBC
Anne Meara Kate McShane Kate McShane CBS
Brenda Vaccaro Sara Yarnell Sara
1977
(29th)
[23]
Lindsay Wagner Jaime Sommers The Bionic Woman ABC
Angie Dickinson Sgt. Leann Anderson Police Woman NBC
Kate Jackson Sabrina Duncan Charlie's Angels ABC
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
Sada Thompson Kate Lawrence Family ABC
1978
(30th)
[24]
Sada Thompson Kate Lawrence Family ABC
Melissa Sue Anderson Mary Ingalls Little House on the Prairie NBC
Fionnula Flanagan Aunt Molly Culhane How the West Was Won ABC
Kate Jackson Sabrina Duncan Charlie's Angels
Michael Learned Olivia Walton The Waltons CBS
Susan Sullivan Julie Farr Having Babies ABC
1979
(31st)
[25]
Mariette Hartley § Carolyn Fields The Incredible Hulk CBS
Barbara Bel Geddes Miss Ellie Ewing Dallas CBS
Rita Moreno § Rita Capkovick The Rockford Files NBC
Sada Thompson Kate Lawrence Family ABC

1980s

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Year Actress Role Program Network
1980
(32nd)
[26]
Barbara Bel Geddes Miss Ellie Ewing Dallas CBS
Lauren Bacall § Kendall Warren The Rockford Files NBC
Mariette Hartley § Althea Morgan
Kristy McNichol Buddy Lawrence Family ABC
Sada Thompson Kate Lawrence
1981
(33rd)
[27]
Barbara Babcock § Grace Gardner Hill Street Blues NBC
Barbara Bel Geddes Miss Ellie Ewing Dallas CBS
Linda Gray Sue Ellen Ewing
Veronica Hamel Joyce Davenport Hill Street Blues NBC
Michael Learned Mary Benjamin Nurse CBS
Stefanie Powers Jennifer Hart Hart to Hart ABC
1982
(34th)
[28]
Michael Learned Mary Benjamin Nurse CBS
Debbie Allen Lydia Grant Fame NBC
Veronica Hamel Joyce Davenport Hill Street Blues
Michele Lee Karen Fairgate Knots Landing CBS
Stefanie Powers Jennifer Hart Hart to Hart ABC
1983
(35th)
[29]
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Debbie Allen Lydia Grant Fame NBC
Linda Evans Krystle Carrington Dynasty ABC
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Veronica Hamel Joyce Davenport Hill Street Blues NBC
1984
(36th)
[30]
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Debbie Allen Lydia Grant Fame Syndicated
Joan Collins Alexis Colby Dynasty ABC
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Veronica Hamel Joyce Davenport Hill Street Blues NBC
1985
(37th)
[31]
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Debbie Allen Lydia Grant Fame Syndicated
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Veronica Hamel Joyce Davenport Hill Street Blues NBC
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote CBS
1986
(38th)
[32]
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote
Cybill Shepherd Maddie Hayes Moonlighting ABC
Alfre Woodard Roxanne Turner St. Elsewhere NBC
1987
(39th)
[33]
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Susan Dey Grace Van Owen L.A. Law NBC
Jill Eikenberry Ann Kelsey
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote CBS
1988
(40th)
[34]
Tyne Daly Mary Beth Lacey Cagney & Lacey CBS
Susan Dey Grace Van Owen L.A. Law NBC
Jill Eikenberry Ann Kelsey
Sharon Gless Chris Cagney Cagney & Lacey CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote
1989
(41st)
[35]
Dana Delany Colleen McMurphy China Beach ABC
Susan Dey Grace Van Owen L.A. Law NBC
Jill Eikenberry Ann Kelsey
Linda Hamilton Catherine Chandler Beauty and the Beast CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote

1990s

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Year Actress Role Program Episode Submission Network
1990
(42nd)
[36]
Patricia Wettig Nancy Krieger-Weston Thirtysomething "The Other Shoe" ABC
Jill Eikenberry Ann Kelsey L.A. Law NBC
Dana Delany Colleen McMurphy China Beach ABC
Piper Laurie Catherine Martell Twin Peaks
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote CBS
1991
(43rd)
[37]
Patricia Wettig Nancy Krieger-Weston Thirtysomething "Guns and Roses" ABC
Dana Delany Colleen McMurphy China Beach "Fever" ABC
Sharon Gless Rosie O'Neill The Trials of Rosie O'Neill "When I'm 44" CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "Thursday's Child"
1992
(44th)
[38]
Dana Delany Colleen McMurphy China Beach "Through and Through" ABC
Sharon Gless Rosie O'Neill The Trials of Rosie O'Neill "Heartbreak Hotel" CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "Night Fears"
Shirley Knight § Melanie Currants Law & Order "The Wages of Love" NBC
Regina Taylor Lilly Harper I'll Fly Away "Coming Home"
Kate Nelligan § Sydney Carver Road to Avonlea "After the Honeymoon" Disney Channel
1993
(45th)
[39]
Kathy Baker Jill Brock Picket Fences "Thanksgiving" CBS
Swoosie Kurtz Alex Reed Sisters "Mirror, Mirror" NBC
Regina Taylor Lilly Harper I'll Fly Away "Comfort and Joy"
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "Night of the Coyote" CBS
Janine Turner Maggie O'Connell Northern Exposure "Love's Labour Mislaid"
1994
(46th)
[40]
Sela Ward Teddy Reed Sisters "Land of the Lost Children" NBC
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "A Killing in Cork" CBS
Jane Seymour Michaela Quinn Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman "Best Friends"
Kathy Baker Jill Brock Picket Fences "Guns 'R' Us"
Swoosie Kurtz Alex Reed Sisters "Protective Measures" NBC
1995
(47th)
[41]
Kathy Baker Jill Brock Picket Fences "Frogman Returns" CBS
Claire Danes Angela Chase My So-Called Life "Pilot" ABC
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "Dear Deadly" CBS
Sherry Stringfield Susan Lewis ER "Motherhood" NBC
Cicely Tyson Carrie Grace Battle Sweet Justice "In the Name of the Sun"
1996
(48th)
[42]
Kathy Baker Jill Brock Picket Fences "Bottled" CBS
Gillian Anderson Dana Scully The X-Files "Piper Maru" Fox
Christine Lahti Kate Austin Chicago Hope "Transplanted Affection" CBS
Angela Lansbury Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote "Death by Demographics"
Sherry Stringfield Susan Lewis ER "Take These Broken Wings" NBC
1997
(49th)
[43]
Gillian Anderson Dana Scully The X-Files "Memento Mori" Fox
Roma Downey Monica Touched by an Angel "Missing in Action" CBS
Christine Lahti Kate Austin Chicago Hope "Back to the Future"
Julianna Margulies Carol Hathaway ER "The Long Way Around" NBC
Sherry Stringfield Susan Lewis "Fear of Flying"
1998
(50th)
[44]
Christine Lahti Kate Austin Chicago Hope "Cabin Fever" CBS
Gillian Anderson Dana Scully The X-Files "All Souls" Fox
Roma Downey Monica Touched by an Angel "The Spirit of Liberty Moon" CBS
Julianna Margulies Carol Hathaway ER "Carter's Choice" NBC
Jane Seymour Michaela Quinn Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman "Point Blank" CBS
1999
(51st)
[45]
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano The Sopranos "College" HBO
Gillian Anderson Dana Scully The X-Files "Milagro" Fox
Lorraine Bracco Jennifer Melfi The Sopranos "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" HBO
Christine Lahti Kate Austin Chicago Hope "Karmic Relief" CBS
Julianna Margulies Carol Hathaway ER "The Storm (Part II)" NBC

2000s

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Year Actress Role Program Episode Submission Network
2000
(52nd)
[46]
Sela Ward Lily Manning Once and Again "Pilot" ABC
Lorraine Bracco Jennifer Melfi The Sopranos "Big Girls Don't Cry" HBO
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano "Full Leather Jacket"
Amy Brenneman Amy Gray Judging Amy "The Wee Hours" CBS
Julianna Margulies Carol Hathaway ER "Great Expectations" NBC
2001
(53rd)
[47]
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano The Sopranos "Second Opinion" HBO
Amy Brenneman Amy Gray Judging Amy "The Undertow" CBS
Marg Helgenberger Catherine Willows CSI: Crime Scene Investigation "Justice Is Served"
Lorraine Bracco Jennifer Melfi The Sopranos "Employee of the Month" HBO
Sela Ward Lily Manning Once and Again "Second Time Around" ABC
2002
(54th)
[48]
Allison Janney C. J. Cregg The West Wing "The Women of Qumar" NBC
Amy Brenneman Amy Gray Judging Amy "Tidal Wave" CBS
Frances Conroy Ruth Fisher Six Feet Under "Pilot" HBO
Rachel Griffiths Brenda Chenowith "The Secret"
Jennifer Garner Sydney Bristow Alias "Truth Be Told" ABC
2003
(55th)
[49]
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano The Sopranos "Whitecaps" HBO
Jennifer Garner Sydney Bristow Alias "Phase One" ABC
Frances Conroy Ruth Fisher Six Feet Under "Nobody Sleeps" HBO
Allison Janney C. J. Cregg The West Wing "The Long Goodbye" NBC
Marg Helgenberger Catherine Willows CSI: Crime Scene Investigation "Lady Heather's Box" CBS
2004
(56th)
[50]
Allison Janney C. J. Cregg The West Wing "Access" NBC
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano The Sopranos "All Happy Families..." HBO
Jennifer Garner Sydney Bristow Alias "The Two" ABC
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Control" NBC
Amber Tamblyn Joan Girardi Joan of Arcadia "Pilot" CBS
2005
(57th)
[51]
Patricia Arquette Allison DuBois Medium "In Sickness and Adultery" NBC
Glenn Close Monica Rawling The Shield "Hurt" FX
Frances Conroy Ruth Fisher Six Feet Under "Coming and Going" HBO
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Charisma" NBC
Jennifer Garner Sydney Bristow Alias "Before the Flood" ABC
2006
(58th)
[52]
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "911" NBC
Frances Conroy Ruth Fisher Six Feet Under "Everyone's Waiting" HBO
Geena Davis Mackenzie Allen Commander in Chief "Pilot" ABC
Allison Janney C. J. Cregg The West Wing "Institutional Memory" NBC
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson The Closer "Fantasy Date" TNT
2007
(59th)
[53]
Sally Field Nora Walker Brothers & Sisters "Mistakes Were Made (Part 2)" ABC
Patricia Arquette Allison DuBois Medium "Be Kind, Rewind" NBC
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Florida"
Minnie Driver Dahlia Malloy The Riches "Pilot" FX
Edie Falco Carmela Soprano The Sopranos "The Second Coming" HBO
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson The Closer "Slippin'" TNT
2008
(60th)
[54]
Glenn Close Patty Hewes Damages "Get Me a Lawyer" FX
Sally Field Nora Walker Brothers & Sisters "History Repeating" ABC
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Undercover" NBC
Holly Hunter Grace Hanadarko Saving Grace "Tacos, Tulips, Duck, and Spices" TNT
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson The Closer "Manhunt"
2009
(61st)
[55]
Glenn Close Patty Hewes Damages "Trust Me" FX
Sally Field Nora Walker Brothers & Sisters "A Father Dreams" ABC
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "PTSD" NBC
Holly Hunter Grace Hanadarko Saving Grace "Have a Seat, Earl" TNT
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson The Closer "Cherry Bomb"
Elisabeth Moss Peggy Olson Mad Men "Meditations in an Emergency" AMC

2010s

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Year Actress Role Program Episode Submission Network
2010
(62nd)
[56]
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson The Closer "Maternal Instincts" TNT
Connie Britton Tami Taylor Friday Night Lights "After the Fall" DirecTV
Glenn Close Patty Hewes Damages "Your Secrets Are Safe" FX
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Perverted" NBC
January Jones Betty Draper Mad Men "The Gypsy and the Hobo" AMC
Julianna Margulies Alicia Florrick The Good Wife "Threesome" CBS
2011
(63rd)
[57]
Julianna Margulies Alicia Florrick The Good Wife "In Sickness" CBS
Kathy Bates Harriet Korn Harry's Law "Innocent Man" NBC
Connie Britton Tami Taylor Friday Night Lights "Always" DirecTV
Mireille Enos Sarah Linden The Killing "Missing" AMC
Mariska Hargitay Olivia Benson Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Rescue" NBC
Elisabeth Moss Peggy Olson Mad Men "The Suitcase" AMC
2012
(64th)
[58]
Claire Danes Carrie Mathison Homeland "The Vest" Showtime
Kathy Bates Harriet Korn Harry's Law "Onward and Upward" NBC
Glenn Close Patty Hewes Damages "I've Done Way Too Much for This Girl" DirecTV
Michelle Dockery Lady Mary Crawley Downton Abbey "Episode Seven" PBS
Julianna Margulies Alicia Florrick The Good Wife "Parenting Made Easy" CBS
Elisabeth Moss Peggy Olson Mad Men "The Other Woman" AMC
2013
(65th)
[59]
Claire Danes Carrie Mathison Homeland "Q&A" Showtime
Connie Britton Rayna Jaymes Nashville "Pilot" ABC
Michelle Dockery Lady Mary Crawley Downton Abbey "Episode One" PBS
Vera Farmiga Norma Bates Bates Motel "First You Dream, Then You Die" A&E
Elisabeth Moss Peggy Olson Mad Men "The Better Half" AMC
Kerry Washington Olivia Pope Scandal "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" ABC
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 10" Netflix
2014
(66th)
[60]
Julianna Margulies Alicia Florrick The Good Wife "The Last Call" CBS
Lizzy Caplan Virginia E. Johnson Masters of Sex "Pilot" Showtime
Claire Danes Carrie Mathison Homeland "The Star"
Michelle Dockery Lady Mary Crawley Downton Abbey "Episode One" PBS
Kerry Washington Olivia Pope Scandal "The Fluffer" ABC
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 26" Netflix
2015
(67th)
[61]
Viola Davis Annalise Keating How to Get Away with Murder "Freakin' Whack-a-Mole" ABC
Claire Danes Carrie Mathison Homeland "From A to B and Back Again" Showtime
Taraji P. Henson Cookie Lyon Empire "Pilot" Fox
Tatiana Maslany Various characters Orphan Black "Certain Agony of the Battlefield" BBC America
Elisabeth Moss Peggy Olson Mad Men "Person to Person" AMC
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 32" Netflix
2016
(68th)
[62]
Tatiana Maslany Various characters Orphan Black "The Antisocialism of Sex" BBC America
Claire Danes Carrie Mathison Homeland "Super Powers" Showtime
Viola Davis Annalise Keating How to Get Away with Murder "There's My Baby" ABC
Taraji P. Henson Cookie Lyon Empire "Rise by Sin" Fox
Keri Russell Elizabeth Jennings The Americans "The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears" FX
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 49" Netflix
2017
(69th)
[63]
Elisabeth Moss June Osborne / Offred The Handmaid's Tale "Night" Hulu
Viola Davis Annalise Keating How to Get Away with Murder "Wes" ABC
Claire Foy Queen Elizabeth II The Crown "Assassins" Netflix
Keri Russell Elizabeth Jennings The Americans "Dyatkovo" FX
Evan Rachel Wood Dolores Abernathy Westworld "The Bicameral Mind" HBO
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 65" Netflix
2018
(70th)
[64]
Claire Foy Queen Elizabeth II The Crown "Dear Mrs. Kennedy" Netflix
Tatiana Maslany Various characters Orphan Black "To Right the Wrongs of Many" BBC America
Elisabeth Moss June Osborne / Offred The Handmaid's Tale "The Last Ceremony" Hulu
Sandra Oh Eve Polastri Killing Eve "I Have a Thing About Bathrooms" BBC America
Keri Russell Elizabeth Jennings The Americans "The Summit" FX
Evan Rachel Wood Dolores Abernathy Westworld "Reunion" HBO
2019
(71st)
Jodie Comer Villanelle Killing Eve "I Hope You Like Missionary!" BBC America
Emilia Clarke Daenerys Targaryen Game of Thrones "The Last of the Starks" HBO
Viola Davis Annalise Keating How to Get Away with Murder "He Betrayed Us Both" ABC
Laura Linney Wendy Byrde Ozark "One Way Out" Netflix
Mandy Moore Rebecca Pearson This Is Us "The Graduates" NBC
Sandra Oh Eve Polastri Killing Eve "You're Mine" BBC America
Robin Wright Claire Underwood House of Cards "Chapter 70" Netflix

2020s

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Year Actress Role Program Episode submission Network
2020
(72nd)
Zendaya Ruby "Rue" Bennett Euphoria "Made You Look" HBO
Jodie Comer Villanelle Killing Eve "Are You From Pinner?" BBC America
Sandra Oh Eve Polastri "Are You Leading or Am I?"
Jennifer Aniston Alex Levy The Morning Show "In the Dark Night of the Soul It's Always 3:30 in the Morning" Apple TV+
Olivia Colman Queen Elizabeth II The Crown "Cri de Coeur" Netflix
Laura Linney Wendy Byrde Ozark "Fire Pink"
2021
(73rd)
Olivia Colman Queen Elizabeth II The Crown "48:1" Netflix
Emma Corrin Diana, Princess of Wales The Crown "Fairytale" Netflix
Uzo Aduba Dr. Brooke Taylor In Treatment "Brooke — Week 5" HBO
Elisabeth Moss June Osborne The Handmaid's Tale "Home" Hulu
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Blanca Rodriguez Pose "Series Finale" FX
Jurnee Smollett Letitia "Leti" Lewis Lovecraft Country "Holy Ghost" HBO
2022
(74th)
Zendaya Ruby "Rue" Bennett Euphoria "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird" HBO
Jodie Comer Villanelle Killing Eve "Don't Get Eaten" BBC America
Sandra Oh Eve Polastri "Making Dead Things Look Nice"
Laura Linney Wendy Byrde Ozark "Pound of Flesh and Still Kickin'" Netflix
Melanie Lynskey Shauna Sadecki Yellowjackets "Doomcoming" Showtime
Reese Witherspoon Bradley Jackson The Morning Show "Confirmations" Apple TV+
2023
(75th)
Sarah Snook Shiv Roy Succession "Tailgate Party" HBO
Sharon Horgan Eva Garvey Bad Sisters "Saving Grace" Apple TV+
Melanie Lynskey Shauna Sadecki Yellowjackets "Burial" Showtime
Elisabeth Moss June Osborne The Handmaid's Tale "Safe" Hulu
Bella Ramsey Ellie The Last of Us "When We Are in Need" HBO
Keri Russell Kate Wyler The Diplomat "Lambs in the Dark" Netflix
2024
(76th)
Anna Sawai Toda Mariko Shōgun "Crimson Sky" FX
Jennifer Aniston Alex Levy The Morning Show "The Overview Effect" Apple TV+
Carrie Coon Bertha Russell The Gilded Age "Head to Head" HBO
Maya Erskine Jane Smith / Alana Mr. & Mrs. Smith "A Breakup" Prime Video
Imelda Staunton Queen Elizabeth II The Crown "Sleep, Dearie Sleep" Netflix
Reese Witherspoon Bradley Jackson The Morning Show "Love Island" Apple TV+

Programs with multiple wins

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Programs with multiple nominations

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Performers with multiple wins

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Performers with multiple nominations

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See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "6th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Female Star of Regular Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  2. ^ "7th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners – Best Actress Starring in a Regular Series". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Early Emmy ceremonies did not have genre-specific acting categories