laureldb Entertainment awards

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Primetime Emmy Awards · 310 nominations across 65 ceremonies · 64 wins

78th Emmys · 2026

77th Emmys · 2025

76th Emmys · 2024

Winner Anna Sawai · Shōgun
Nominee Imelda Staunton · The Crown
Nominee Maya Erskine · Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Nominee Carrie Coon · The Gilded Age
Nominee Reese Witherspoon · The Morning Show
Nominee Jennifer Aniston · The Morning Show

75th Emmys · 2023

Winner Sarah Snook · Succession
Nominee Bella Ramsey · The Last of Us
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · The Handmaid's Tale
Nominee Sharon Horgan · Bad Sisters
Nominee Keri Russell · The Diplomat
Nominee Melanie Lynskey · Yellowjackets

74th Emmys · 2022

Winner Zendaya · Euphoria
Nominee Laura Linney · Ozark
Nominee Sandra Oh · Killing Eve
Nominee Reese Witherspoon · The Morning Show
Nominee Melanie Lynskey · Yellowjackets
Nominee Jodie Comer · Killing Eve

73rd Emmys · 2021

Winner Olivia Colman · The Crown
Nominee Emma Corrin · The Crown
Nominee Uzo Aduba · In Treatment
Nominee Michaela Jaé Rodriguez · Pose
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · The Handmaid's Tale
Nominee Jurnee Smollett · Lovecraft Country

72nd Emmys · 2020

Winner Zendaya · Euphoria
Nominee Laura Linney · Ozark
Nominee Sandra Oh · Killing Eve
Nominee Jodie Comer · Killing Eve
Nominee Olivia Colman · The Crown
Nominee Jennifer Aniston · The Morning Show

71st Emmys · 2019

Winner Jodie Comer · Killing Eve
Nominee Sandra Oh · Killing Eve
Nominee Laura Linney · Ozark
Nominee Mandy Moore · This Is Us
Nominee Robin Wright Penn · House of Cards
Nominee Viola Davis · How to Get Away with Murder
Nominee Emilia Clarke · Game of Thrones

70th Emmys · 2018

Winner Claire Foy · The Crown
Nominee Tatiana Maslany · Orphan Black
Nominee Evan Rachel Wood · Westworld
Nominee Sandra Oh · Killing Eve
Nominee Keri Russell · The Americans
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · The Handmaid's Tale

69th Emmys · 2017

Winner Elisabeth Moss · The Handmaid's Tale
Nominee Keri Russell · The Americans
Nominee Viola Davis · How to Get Away with Murder
Nominee Robin Wright Penn · House of Cards
Nominee Evan Rachel Wood · Westworld
Nominee Claire Foy · The Crown

68th Emmys · 2016

Winner Tatiana Maslany · Orphan Black

67th Emmys · 2015

Winner Viola Davis · How to Get Away with Murder
Nominee Taraji P. Henson · Empire
Nominee Claire Danes · Homeland
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · Mad Men
Nominee Robin Wright Penn · House of Cards
Nominee Tatiana Maslany · Orphan Black

66th Emmys · 2014

Winner Julianna Margulies · The Good Wife
Nominee Michelle Dockery · Downton Abbey
Nominee Claire Danes · Homeland
Nominee Robin Wright Penn · House of Cards
Nominee Kerry Washington · Scandal
Nominee Lizzy Caplan · Masters of Sex

65th Emmys · 2013

Winner Claire Danes · Homeland
Nominee Robin Wright Penn · House of Cards
Nominee Connie Britton · Nashville
Nominee Michelle Dockery · Downton Abbey
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · Mad Men
Nominee Kerry Washington · Scandal
Nominee Vera Farmiga · Bates Motel

64th Emmys · 2012

Winner Claire Danes · Homeland
Nominee Michelle Dockery · Downton Abbey
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · Mad Men
Nominee Kathy Bates · Harry's Law
Nominee Julianna Margulies · The Good Wife
Nominee Glenn Close · Damages

63rd Emmys · 2011

Winner Julianna Margulies · The Good Wife
Nominee Kathy Bates · Harry's Law
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · Mad Men
Nominee Connie Britton · Friday Night Lights
Nominee Mireille Enos · The Killing
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

62nd Emmys · 2010

Winner Kyra Sedgwick · The Closer
Nominee Julianna Margulies · The Good Wife
Nominee Glenn Close · Damages
Nominee January Jones · Mad Men
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Connie Britton · Friday Night Lights

61st Emmys · 2009

Winner Glenn Close · Damages
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Kyra Sedgwick · The Closer
Nominee Sally Field · Brothers & Sisters
Nominee Elisabeth Moss · Mad Men
Nominee Holly Hunter · Saving Grace

60th Emmys · 2008

Winner Glenn Close · Damages
Nominee Holly Hunter · Saving Grace
Nominee Sally Field · Brothers & Sisters
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Kyra Sedgwick · The Closer

59th Emmys · 2007

Winner Sally Field · Brothers & Sisters
Nominee Edie Falco · The Sopranos
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Kyra Sedgwick · The Closer
Nominee Minnie Driver · The Riches
Nominee Patricia Arquette · Medium

58th Emmys · 2006

Winner Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Frances Conroy · Six Feet Under
Nominee Allison Janney · The West Wing
Nominee Geena Davis · Commander in Chief
Nominee Kyra Sedgwick · The Closer

57th Emmys · 2005

Winner Patricia Arquette · Medium
Nominee Jennifer Garner · Alias
Nominee Glenn Close · The Shield
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Nominee Frances Conroy · Six Feet Under

56th Emmys · 2004

Winner Allison Janney · The West Wing
Nominee Amber Tamblyn · Joan of Arcadia
Nominee Jennifer Garner · Alias
Nominee Edie Falco · The Sopranos
Nominee Mariska Hargitay · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

55th Emmys · 2003

Winner Edie Falco · The Sopranos
Nominee Jennifer Garner · Alias
Nominee Frances Conroy · Six Feet Under
Nominee Allison Janney · The West Wing
Nominee Marg Helgenberger · CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

54th Emmys · 2002

Winner Allison Janney · The West Wing
Nominee Frances Conroy · Six Feet Under
Nominee Rachel Griffiths · Six Feet Under
Nominee Jennifer Garner · Alias
Nominee Amy Brenneman · Judging Amy

53rd Emmys · 2001

Winner Edie Falco · The Sopranos
Nominee Lorraine Bracco · The Sopranos
Nominee Amy Brenneman · Judging Amy
Nominee Marg Helgenberger · CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Nominee Sela Ward · Once and Again

52nd Emmys · 2000

51st Emmys · 1999

50th Emmys · 1998

Winner Christine Lahti · Chicago Hope
Nominee Gillian Anderson · The X-Files
Nominee Julianna Margulies · ER
Nominee Jane Seymour · Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Nominee Roma Downey · Touched by an Angel

49th Emmys · 1997

Winner Gillian Anderson · The X-Files
Nominee Christine Lahti · Chicago Hope
Nominee Julianna Margulies · ER
Nominee Sherry Stringfield · ER
Nominee Roma Downey · Touched by an Angel

48th Emmys · 1996

Winner Kathy Baker · Picket Fences
Nominee Christine Lahti · Chicago Hope
Nominee Gillian Anderson · The X-Files
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Sherry Stringfield · ER

47th Emmys · 1995

Winner Kathy Baker · Picket Fences
Nominee Claire Danes · My So-Called Life
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Cicely Tyson · Sweet Justice
Nominee Sherry Stringfield · ER

46th Emmys · 1994

Winner Sela Ward · Sisters
Nominee Jane Seymour · Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Kathy Baker · Picket Fences
Nominee Swoosie Kurtz · Sisters

45th Emmys · 1993

Winner Kathy Baker · Picket Fences
Nominee Regina Taylor · I'll Fly Away
Nominee Swoosie Kurtz · Sisters
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Janine Turner · Northern Exposure

44th Emmys · 1992

Winner Dana Delany · China Beach
Nominee Shirley Knight · Law & Order
Nominee Sharon Gless · The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Nominee Kate Nelligan · Road to Avonlea
Nominee Regina Taylor · I'll Fly Away
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote

43rd Emmys · 1991

Winner Patricia Wettig · Thirtysomething
Nominee Sharon Gless · The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Dana Delany · China Beach

42nd Emmys · 1990

Winner Patricia Wettig · Thirtysomething
Nominee Piper Laurie · Twin Peaks
Nominee Dana Delany · China Beach
Nominee Jill Eikenberry · L.A. Law
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote

41st Emmys · 1989

Winner Dana Delany · China Beach
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Jill Eikenberry · L.A. Law
Nominee Susan Dey · L.A. Law
Nominee Linda Hamilton · Beauty and the Beast

40th Emmys · 1988

Winner Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Susan Dey · L.A. Law
Nominee Jill Eikenberry · L.A. Law
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey

39th Emmys · 1987

Winner Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Susan Dey · L.A. Law
Nominee Jill Eikenberry · L.A. Law
Nominee Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey

38th Emmys · 1986

Winner Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Cybill Shepherd · Moonlighting
Nominee Alfre Woodard · St. Elsewhere
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote

37th Emmys · 1985

Winner Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Angela Lansbury · Murder, She Wrote
Nominee Veronica Hamel · Hill Street Blues
Nominee Debbie Allen · Fame

36th Emmys · 1984

Winner Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Joan Collins · Dynasty
Nominee Veronica Hamel · Hill Street Blues
Nominee Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Debbie Allen · Fame

35th Emmys · 1983

Winner Tyne Daly · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Linda Evans · Dynasty
Nominee Sharon Gless · Cagney & Lacey
Nominee Debbie Allen · Fame
Nominee Veronica Hamel · Hill Street Blues

34th Emmys · 1982

Winner Michael Learned · Nurse
Nominee Michele Lee · Knots Landing
Nominee Stefanie Powers · Hart to Hart
Nominee Debbie Allen · Fame
Nominee Veronica Hamel · Hill Street Blues

33rd Emmys · 1981

Winner Barbara Babcock · Hill Street Blues
Nominee Linda Gray · Dallas
Nominee Barbara Bel Geddes · Dallas
Nominee Michael Learned · Nurse
Nominee Stefanie Powers · Hart to Hart
Nominee Veronica Hamel · Hill Street Blues

32nd Emmys · 1980

Winner Barbara Bel Geddes · Dallas
Nominee Kristy McNichol · Family
Nominee Mariette Hartley · The Rockford Files
Nominee Lauren Bacall · The Rockford Files
Nominee Sada Thompson · Family

31st Emmys · 1979

Winner Mariette Hartley · The Incredible Hulk
Nominee Sada Thompson · Family
Nominee Rita Moreno · The Rockford Files
Nominee Barbara Bel Geddes · Dallas

30th Emmys · 1978

Winner Sada Thompson · Family
Nominee Kate Jackson · Charlie's Angels
Nominee Melissa Sue Anderson · Little House on the Prairie
Nominee Fionnula Flanagan · How the West Was Won
Nominee Susan Sullivan · Julie Farr, M.D.
Nominee Michael Learned · The Waltons

29th Emmys · 1977

Winner Lindsay Wagner · The Bionic Woman
Nominee Kate Jackson · Charlie's Angels
Nominee Angie Dickinson · Police Woman
Nominee Sada Thompson · Family
Nominee Michael Learned · The Waltons

28th Emmys · 1976

27th Emmys · 1975

Winner Jean Marsh · Upstairs, Downstairs
Nominee Angie Dickinson · Police Woman
Nominee Michael Learned · The Waltons

26th Emmys · 1974

Winner Michael Learned · The Waltons
Nominee Jean Marsh · Upstairs, Downstairs
Nominee Jeanette Nolan · Dirty Sally

25th Emmys · 1973

Winner Michael Learned · The Waltons
Nominee Susan Saint James · McMillan & Wife
Nominee Lynda Day George · Mission: Impossible

24th Emmys · 1972

Winner Glenda Jackson · Elizabeth R
Nominee Peggy Lipton · The Mod Squad
Nominee Susan Saint James · McMillan & Wife

23rd Emmys · 1971

Winner Susan Hampshire · The First Churchills
Nominee Linda Cristal · The High Chaparral
Nominee Peggy Lipton · The Mod Squad

22nd Emmys · 1970

Winner Susan Hampshire · The Forsyte Saga
Nominee Joan Blondell · Here Come the Brides
Nominee Peggy Lipton · The Mod Squad

21st Emmys · 1969

Winner Barbara Bain · Mission: Impossible
Nominee Joan Blondell · Here Come the Brides
Nominee Peggy Lipton · The Mod Squad

20th Emmys · 1968

Winner Barbara Bain · Mission: Impossible
Nominee Diana Rigg · The Avengers
Nominee Barbara Stanwyck · The Big Valley

19th Emmys · 1967

Winner Barbara Bain · Mission: Impossible
Nominee Diana Rigg · The Avengers
Nominee Barbara Stanwyck · The Big Valley

18th Emmys · 1966

Winner Barbara Stanwyck · The Big Valley
Nominee Barbara Parkins · Peyton Place
Nominee Anne Francis · Honey West

11th Emmys · 1959

Winner Loretta Young · Letter to Loretta
Nominee Phyllis Kirk · The Thin Man
Nominee Jane Wyman · Fireside Theater
Nominee June Lockhart · Lassie

9th Emmys · 1957

Winner Loretta Young · Letter to Loretta
Nominee Ida Lupino · Four Star Playhouse
Nominee Jane Wyman · Fireside Theater
Nominee Jan Clayton · Lassie
Nominee Peggy Wood · I Remember Mama

7th Emmys · 1955

Winner Loretta Young · Letter to Loretta

5th Emmys · 1953

Winner Helen Hayes