Which comedy series won the 2026 Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress for Janelle James?

Abbott Elementary won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Janelle James at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

James plays Ava Coleman, the ambitious and often unconventional principal of Abbott Elementary. The series is a workplace mockumentary set in a Philadelphia public school and uses interviews, classroom scenes, and staff-room comedy to explore the pressures facing teachers and administrators.

The award recognized James as an individual performer, while Abbott Elementary was the series associated with her winning performance. The ceremony also honored The Studio with Best Comedy Series and gave its supporting-actor prize to Ike Barinholtz.

James competed against performers from shows including Peacemaker, Hacks, Nobody Wants This, Saturday Night Live, and Ghosts. Because several comedy-series acting categories were presented that night, identifying both the performer and the series avoids confusion with the other winners.