Female empowerment could fuel ‘Shrill’ star Aidy Bryant to another Emmy nomination

Aidy Bryant stars in the Hulu comedy series “Shrill” as Annie, an overweight woman reclaiming her self-worth. Based on a memoir by Lindy West, it’s a feminist story that might especially resonate at a time when the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have shed light not just on sexual harassment, but also the myriad other ways women are demeaned and disadvantaged. And now a few of the Expert TV journalists we’ve polled think she’ll be nominated for an Emmy.

Eric Deggans (NPR), Matt Roush (TV Guide Magazine) and Glenn Whipp (LA Times) are currently betting on Bryant to earn a bid for Best Comedy Actress, which would be the first nomination in this category for both Bryant and the streaming service. And it doesn’t hurt that the actress is already a two-time nominee. In 2014 she contended as a songwriter for “Home for the Holiday (Twin Bed),” which she performed for a comedy sketch on “Saturday Night Live.” Then in 2018 she was a surprise Best Comedy Supporting Actress nominee for “SNL.”

Bryant could earn double acting nominations this year since she’s also eligible for a repeat bid for “SNL.” She could even be a triple or quadruple nominee because she’s also a writer and producer on “Shrill.” So there are multiple indicators to suggest she’s an even greater threat than we’re giving her credit for.

She could benefit from the feminist appeal that bolstered other liberated women to Emmy wins like Mary Tyler Moore (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), Candice Bergen (“Murphy Brown”) and most recently Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”). And Bryant could doubly impress voters with her writing and producing contributions like another Emmy winner, Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), and nominees like Lena Dunham (“Girls”), Issa Rae (“Insecure”) and Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”).

Margaret Lyons (New York Times) wrote that Bryant’s performance “radiates the wounded hopefulness of someone who’s ready for the next chapter of her life. Willa Paskin (Slate) called her “extremely appealing.” And Alan Sepinwall (Rolling Stone) raved that she’s a “star, and ‘Shrill’ lets her shine as brightly as Annie so badly wants to herself.” Will the Emmys shine down on her too?

Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before nominations are announced on July 16. And join in the fun debate over the 2019 Emmy taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.