Jean Smart Completes Her ‘Hacks’ Sweep With 5th Straight Emmy Win

In the 2020s so far, the Outstanding Lead Actress category at the Primetime Emmys has primarily belonged to Jean Smart. Aside from the beginning of the decade, which saw the late, great Catherine O’Hara win for her role as Moira Rose in the final season of Schitt’s Creek, and 2023, when Quinta Brunson stole the show in Abbott Elementary, the veteran actress has won every other year for each of Hacks‘ four seasons on HBO Max. Her fifth nomination had her on the doorstep of history, with a chance to close out her time as stand-up comic Deborah Vance with one final win for Season 5. 2026 brought with it some fierce competition, though.