Emmy Predictions: Directing (Comedy Series) – Palestinian American director Cherien Dabis could be the first woman of color to win the category

Variety's Awards Circuit section brings together all the award news and related content throughout the year, including the following: Official award predictions for the Oscars and Emmys Upcoming, curated by Variety Awards Editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for the Emmys) and Davis (for the Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a series of weekly interviews with talent and a panel of experts; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and nominees from Variety's leading awards experts. Variety's unrivaled coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as in-house reporting on all of this year's awards season race contenders.

To see all the latest predictions, from all categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, by issuing individual awards from THE EMMYS HUBTo view past predictions and commentary, click on the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVE

UPDATED: August 11, 2022

2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR A COMEDY SERIES

REWARDS PREDICTION COMMENT:

Cherien Dabis, "The Boy from 6B" - "Only Murders in the Building" (Hulu)

For what many believe to be the episode of the year, Dabis' dialogue-less episode is a tour de force of directorial achievement bolstered by incredible performances from deaf actor James Caverly and actor invited Nathan Lane. It's hard to find a more worthy selection. Dabis has already made history in this category by becoming the first woman of Arab descent ever nominated for directing and the first Palestinian-American. If she wins, she would be the first woman of color to win in the comedy directing race in 74 years. What an achievement.

Jamie Babbit, "True Crime" - "Only Murders in the Building" (Hulu)

The nominated Hulu mystery series pilot is one of the highlights of all the lineups. With Steve Martin up for comedy and writing as the lead actor, it only helps Babbitt be a top contender for his first Emmy. That's if she doesn't vote split with her other appointed director.

Lucia Aniello, "There Will Be Blood" - "Hacks" (HBO Max)

Last year, Aniello won the Emmy for directing the pilot episode of the HBO Max series. This year, she's back and could be a viable threat for back-to-back wins, which would be the first since Joey Soloway in 2016 for "Transparent."

MJ Delaney, "No Weddings and a Funeral" - "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

Learning once again that you can never count the power of the hit Apple TV+, "Ted Lasso" seeks to win the achievement trophy. Replicating his exact number of nominations as last year, he's a viable threat again.