Emmys 2023: Lead Actor In A Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees!

The 2023 Emmy race for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series looks a lot like the 2022 Emmy race for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Consider this: All six of last year's nominees — Atlanta's Donald Glover, Barry's Bill Hader, The Great's Nicholas Hoult, Only Murders in the Building's Steve Martin and Martin Short, and Ted Lasso's Jason Sudeikis — are back in the running again this year.

Will Emmy voters go the rinse and repeat route, or will they think outside the box and inject some new blood into the contest... like, for example, some of the very worthy contenders on our ideal Emmy short list?

Scroll through the list below to review all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren't predictions; they're wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a "Hell, yes!," "Um, no" or "How could you leave off so-and-so?!"

For the record, 2023 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 15-26, and unveiled on July 12. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Monday, Sept. 18 on Fox.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

🏆 Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As laidback music manager Earn, Glover is often content to hang out in the background while his co-stars get to shine, but the final season of FX's surreal comedy gave him the spotlight for a change. Along with the usual deadpan laughs, Glover exposed a raw nerve of trauma inside Earn during a stunningly vulnerable therapy session, and later, he went full Teddy Perkins with a hilarious (and unrecognizable) turn as a deranged Tyler Perry-esque media mogul. Atlanta is a true artistic achievement, and Glover's performance is the rock-solid anchor at its center.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The final season of HBO's hitman comedy did get awfully dark, but Hader boldly followed it all the way down to its grim conclusion, revealing the twisted soul lying inside hired killer Barry Berkman. Yes, the SNL veteran still flashed his comedic chops at times, but mostly, he dug deep into what makes Barry tick, mixing pathetic self-pity with terrifying outbursts of rage. By the end of the series, we could barely stand to look at Barry — which is actually a testament to Hader's remarkable transformation.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: In a cast as incredibly talented as Party Down's, it takes a lot to stand out among the herd, but that's exactly what Scott consistently did throughout Season 3. From a mushroom-laced spectacle that highlighted the actor's physical comedy and acting instincts, to Henry resuming his spot as the voice of reason in a kitchen full of kooks, the new episodes gave Scott an ample playground to romp around in. Thanks in part to his performance's raging success, this was one Party we didn't want to leave.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: When we first meet Jimmy, he's a sad sack therapist/emotionally absent father sliding into the bottom of a grief spiral following the death of his wife — aka not the most fun to be around. Ironically, we love the Apple TV+ series so much because Segel so fully inhabits his character's nadir, taking a guy in the absolute worst period of his life and playing him with warmth, honesty and love... not to mention a healthy dose of expertly handled physical comedy. (Though that vomit-interrupted piano serenade? Well- and hilariously played, but yeah, we'd be fine never watching that again.)

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: In the Max comedy's third season, Tarver's Cary has gotten a small taste of the fame he's craved, sending him down a hilariously mortifying spiral of narcissism and desperation for a bigger spotlight. It speaks to Tarver's charm (and the flickers of self-doubt he shows in Cary) that we're still invested in the character's journey. Plus, extra kudos to Tarver for his complete physical commitment to The Other Two's most outlandish scenes, like Cary stripping down to his skivvies on the streets of New York for a chance at sex with his boyfriend. Tarver's been so good this season, we just know Cary is seething with jealousy somewhere.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: White had showcased his scene-stealing charisma for years as Shameless' Lip Gallagher, but it was a treat to finally see him take center stage as The Bear's tormented Carmy. Armed with a quiet, compelling intensity, White turned in a performance as rich and satisfying as anything on The Original Beef's menu, deftly balancing Carmy's ease in the kitchen with his inability to cope with his brother's death. That season-long struggle built to a tremendous, seven-minute monologue in the freshman finale, delivered by a magnetic White with heartbreaking authenticity.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Bear's downward spiral in Season 2 was akin to watching a fish out of water, with Woon-A-Tai nailing the young warrior's fluctuating emo moods. The actor expertly balanced drama and comedy this season, making us sympathize with Bear's grief and family drama, while giggling at his overall inexperience and incompetence. Woon-A-Tai mastered the art of being a listless teen as he trucked through his character's daddy issues and lack of direction with the most perfect hints of humor and humanity.