Julianne Nicholson took home the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy for her role in HBO Max’s Hacks. This win recognizes her standout performance as Mary Alice, also known as Dance Mom, highlighting her comedic talent in the show’s current season.
Nicholson was a double nominee this year, also receiving a nod for her gripping role in Hulu’s post-apocalyptic political thriller Paradise. Her memorable work as Mary Alice on Hacks earned praise for both its humor and physicality.
Developing the Role of Mary Alice in Hacks
Portraying Mary Alice, Nicholson embraced the character’s awkward yet earnest personality, working extensively with choreographer Corey Baker to master the clumsy dance moves required. She shared about the physical demands of the role:
I worked my ass off to learn these dances,
followed by,
I had to work really hard to look that bad.
—Julianne Nicholson, Actress
Additionally, Nicholson expressed her enthusiasm for joining the show, revealing she was a dedicated fan before becoming part of the cast:
I came in as a huge fan of the show. So it’s a bit surreal to suddenly be sort of under Jimmy and Kayla.
—Julianne Nicholson, Actress
Previous Emmy Triumph and Competitive Category
This Emmy marks Nicholson’s second win, following her Outstanding Supporting Actress award for HBO’s limited series Mare of Easttown. The competition in the guest actress category was strong, including nominees such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Olivia Colman, Robby Hoffman, Zoe Kravitz, and Cynthia Erivo.
Creative Arts Emmy Ceremony Highlights
The Creative Arts Emmys are being held over two nights at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, celebrating achievements across various specialized categories. Among the leading shows is Severance, which received 27 nominations including outstanding production design and editing. Production designer Jeremy Hindle highlighted the complex logistics of filming episode 4, “Woe’s Hollow,” especially given its many outdoor exterior shots.
Voice acting nominations also feature notable performers such as Julie Andrews, nominated for her role as Lady Penelope in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Maya Rudolph, winner last year, earned another nod for her performance as Connie the Hormone Monstress on Big Mouth.
Music and Variety Honors Spotlight Beyoncé and Netflix Specials
Superstar Beyoncé received a nomination for outstanding directing in the variety special category for Beyoncé Bowl, a Netflix production that earned four total Creative Arts Emmy nominations, including outstanding variety special (Live). Additionally, Beyoncé won an Emmy for outstanding costumes in the variety, nonfiction, or reality programming category, sharing credit with designer Shiona Turini and their extensive creative team.
Netflix’s animated series Arcane also saw recognition, with Bruno Couchinho awarded for background design on the episode The Dirt Under Your Nails, and Faustine Dumontier honored for her color artistry in
The Message Hidden Within the Pattern.
—Faustine Dumontier, Color Artist
Upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony Details
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze and broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. It will also be available to stream live and on demand through select Paramount+ packages, marking a highly anticipated evening to honor television’s best achievements.
Julianne Nicholson’s victory as a guest actress in Hacks not only adds to her impressive body of work but also highlights the rising recognition for supporting talents in comedy series. The Creative Arts Emmys continue to showcase excellence behind the scenes and in specialized roles, setting the stage for the main awards night to celebrate television’s broad spectrum of creativity and performance.
