Join us for a panel with some of the 2026 Emmy-nominated actors discussing their careers, the highs and lows, working with representations and what brought them to this Emmy season. This panel includes Brittany Allen (The Pitt), Jeff Hiller (Widow’s Bay), Richard Jenkins (DTF St. Louis), Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary), Constance Zimmer (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette).

Brittany Allen is a Toronto-raised, Los Angeles-based actress, producer, and composer, and a Primetime Emmy nominee for her role as Roxie on HBO Max’s acclaimed medical drama The Pitt. Allen won her first Emmy — a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress — for her role as Marissa Chandler on All My Children. She is known for playing Popclaw on Amazon’s The Boys, and for playing Laura Moser opposite Christian Slater on Showtime’s Dexter: Original Sin. Allen earned early acclaim for her breakout leading performance in the SXSW-premiering, New York Times Critics’ Pick What Keeps You Alive, and starred in the cult horror thriller It Stains the Sands Red. A multi-disciplinary artist, Allen has also composed scores for American Horror Stories, Two Sentence Horror Stories, and Blumhouse’s Torn Hearts.

Jeff Hiller is an Emmy-winning actor, comedian, and writer, honored in 2025 with the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his portrayal as “Joel” on HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. Jeff recently appeared in the Apple TV+ series Pluribus, which earned him a second straight Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Jeff currently stars in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ horror-comedy series Widows Bay, which was just renewed for a second season. Jeff recently published Hiller is a recurring character on Stumble for NBC and recently appeared in a special guest star role in Elsbeth Season 3. Jeff has numerous television recurring roles and guest star appearances including American Horror Stories, 30 Rock, The McCarthys, Impastor, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and was a series regular on the Pop Network original Nightcap. In addition to publishing his memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, in 2025, Jeff recently wrapped up the run of his one man show, Jeff Hiller is Basic, at Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre, NYC, recently sold a pilot to Universal Cable Productions, and is developing a pilot with Zachary Quinto’s Before The Door Productions.

Richard Jenkins is one of the most in-demand character actors in Hollywood, having made over 80 films.  Jenkins was mostly recently seen in HBO’s DTF St. Louis alongside Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, and Joy Sunday, which revolves around middle-aged adults in suburban Missouri whose lives are unraveling including a questionnable fatality. Jenkins portrays Detective Donoghue Homer, a county detective who co-leads the investigation. The series received 13 Emmy Award® nominations, including Jenkins’ nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Upcoming, Jenkins will appear in the crime drama series Criminal for Prime Video alongside Charlie Hunnam, Adria Arjona, Emilia Clarke, and Luke Evans. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Criminal is an interconnected universe of crime stories chronicling the lives of career criminals, law enforcement, and those caught between them. Jenkins stars as Ivan, a former robber and father figure to Leo (Hunnam), whose struggle with dementia becomes central to the series' emotional core. His notable film credits include Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, for which he received an Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, Screen Actors Guild® and Critics Choice Award® nominations for Best Supporting Actor; as well as The Visitor, for which he received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Actor. Additional film credits include IF, The Humans, Nightmare Alley, Bone Tomahawk, Cabin in the Woods, Step Brothers, Eat Pray Love, Killing Me Softly, Jack Reacher, The Company You Keep, Flirting With Disaster, The Witches of Eastwick, North Country, Burn After Reading, There’s Something About Mary, Random Hearts and The Man Who Wasn’t There. Jenkins has also starred in acclaimed TV shows including Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, for which he received an Emmy Award® and Golden Globe® nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film, Berlin Station, Olive Kitteridge, for which he received an Emmy Award® for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series, and Six Feet Under. 

Tyler James Williams is an acclaimed actor, director, advocate, and known for his standout role as Gregory Eddie on the hit ABC comedy series ABBOTT ELEMENTARY. Williams has captivated audiences since childhood, evolving from a beloved young star into a multifaceted talent with a remarkable range and longevity in the industry. Williams first rose to prominence as a teenager starring in the critically acclaimed sitcom EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS (2005–2009), where he portrayed a young Chris Rock and earned widespread recognition, including an NAACP Image Award win. Over the years, he delivered impactful performances in diverse projects such as the satirical series DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, the horror drama THE WALKING DEAD, the historical film DETROIT, and the biographical drama THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY, showcasing his versatility across comedy, drama, and film. His career reached new heights with ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, where he stars as the principled and charming first-grade teacher Gregory Eddie. For this role, Williams has received critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Comedy or Drama Television Series, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. He has also earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, including the upcoming 2026 Emmy Awards. In a significant expansion of his artistry, Williams transitioned into directing on the show. He made his directorial debut with Season 4's "The Science Fair" episode - one of the series' most ambitious installments - and returned to helm episode “Mall Part 2: Questions & Concerns” in Season 5. This move marks a new chapter, highlighting his growth as a storyteller both in front of and behind the camera. His directorial work earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series in 2026. Season 6 of Abbott Elementary will premiere on October 7, 2026, and continues airing on ABC through April 2027, with new episodes delivering the show's signature humor and heart. Beyond acting, Williams is making waves in the fashion world, frequently landing on "best dressed" red carpet lists. He has partnered with renowned stylist Law Roach, debuting their collaboration at the 2025 Emmys in a sharp Prada look paired with Tiffany & Co. accessories. A dedicated sports fan, he cheers for the New York Knicks, Rangers, and Jets. Williams also uses his platform to raise awareness about Crohn's disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2015. By openly sharing his personal journey, he inspires others and advocates for better understanding and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including through campaigns like AbbVie's "Beyond a Gut Feeling." He splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City, continuing to evolve as a performer, director, and influential voice in entertainment and beyond.

Constance Zimmer is an actress and director best known for her commanding performances across television and film. She most recently earned a second Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Ann Messina Freeman, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s mother, in FX’s Love Story, and stared in all ten episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 as ruthless deputy district attorney Dana Berg, the primary antagonist to Mickey Haller. Zimmer gained widespread recognition as Dana Gordon on HBO’s Entourage and further cemented her status with her Critics’ Choice Award–winning, Emmy-nominated role as Quinn King on Lifetime’s UnREAL. Her additional credits include House of Cards, The Newsroom, and Boston Legal. Offscreen, Zimmer is a vocal advocate for authentic representation of aging women in Hollywood. She founded The Midlife Collective, a growing platform for storytelling, live events, and media focused on women in midlife. She also co-hosts the podcast Talk Fifty To Me with pro-aging advocate Heidi Clements.