2026 Gives Michelle Pfeiffer The Best Chance At Her First Emmy

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Shyanne Millet looks worried while holding up her phone in Margo's Got Money Troubles episode 4

Published Apr 22, 2026, 8:45 PM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who frequently covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, horror, and superheroes. Their specialty is onscreen book adaptations.

They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Their articles have also been shared by professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale. Their review for Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

Michelle Pfeiffer’s prolific career has hit many milestones, but 2026 could finally bring her one surprising first. Since her onscreen debut in 1979, Pfeiffer has built a reputation as one of the most fantastic Hollywood actors out there. She has appeared across virtually every genre and has appeared in the Marvel franchise as Janet Van Dyke and the DC franchise as Catwoman.

The actor’s impact simply cannot be understated. Pfeiffer won a Woman in Film award in 1993, a Cinema Icon Award in 2012, and she has been inducted into the Online Film & Television Association’s Hall of Fame. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007, and she was named Woman of the Year at the 2011 Elle Women in Hollywood Awards.

Despite all these incredible accomplishments, she is missing two major awards from her resume. Michelle Pfeiffer has won at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Awards, but she has never received an Oscar or an Emmy. This year, she doesn’t have any movies coming out, so an Oscar isn’t going to happen in the next award season.

However, Apple TV's Margo’s Got Money Troubles could change everything for her on the Emmy front. Online buzz has already started, with viewers discussing her potential to win awards for her performance as Shyanne. Pfeiffer could absolutely succeed at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2026. Plus, for the first time since 1981, she has double the chances of winning. This season, she also released The Madison on Paramount+.

Michelle Pfeiffer Gives Emmy-Worthy Performances In Both Margo's Got Money Troubles & The Madison

Michelle Pfeiffer's Shyanne looking upset while in a store in Margo's Got Money Troubles

Both Margo’s Got Money Troubles and The Madison gave Michelle Pfeiffer the opportunity to showcase her incredible emotional range, and Margo’s Got Money Troubles displayed her impressive comedic timing. Each proves why Pfeiffer is considered a top-caliber actor and why she should have already earned an Emmy.

Reviews for The Madison were extremely polarized, with an average critic rating of 6.4 out of 10 based on 47 reviews. However, Pfeiffer’s incredible acting is the one point of consensus that stretches across the aisle. Even the most critical reviews describe her performance as “strong,” “exceptional,” and “powerhouse.”

Pfeiffer overcame the limitations of the writing, giving a performance that could rightfully earn her an Emmy. She brings an earnestness to her character, making her emotional moments more impactful. Her nuanced performance makes Stacy feel like a real person with both strengths and flaws. I hate the show, and I would happily celebrate if she won an Emmy for the role.

Her more recent show, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, has overwhelmingly positive reviews, and Pfeiffer’s acting is once again mentioned as a key strength, though her co-stars also get quite a bit of praise. Pfeiffer plays Shyanne, one of the most nuanced characters in the show. The showrunner and production team knew that Michelle Pfeiffer was the only actor for the role.

Shyanne tries to balance her new life as a pastor's fiancée with her past life as a party animal and Hooters waitress. She wasn’t thrilled about Margo getting pregnant and having a baby, and she struggles to connect with her grandson, Bodhi. That doesn’t change that she really cares about Margo. She doesn’t want to help Margo because she disapproves of her choices, but she will still yell at Jinx for making Margo’s life harder.

Michelle Pfeiffer is the perfect person to balance all these opposite sides of the character in Margo's Got Money Troubles. The actor never flattens down Shyanne, injecting the character with complexity. Her great comedic timing makes her the funniest person in almost every scene. It feels impossible to hate Shyanne, no matter how much she makes ridiculous decisions.

Pfeiffer’s incredible performance isn’t surprising, considering she connected deeply with the character from the start. She told TIME, “I know Fullerton. I grew up in Orange County. I know this woman. In some ways, I’ve been longing to play this part.” With two phenomenal performances from Pfeiffer, she could easily get her first Emmy during the next award season.

A 2026 Emmy Would Make Up For Michelle Pfeiffer's Past Emmy Snubs

Betty Ford stands in front of a podium in the tv show The First Lady

Because of how incredible the actress is, it’s genuinely shocking that Michelle Pfeiffer has never won an Emmy. She may appear in movies more often than on TV, but she has given award-worthy performances in many TV shows and made-for-TV movies.

Her only Emmy recognition is a 2017 nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her performance as Ruth Madoff in The Wizard of Lies. Looking back, her not winning the award is frustrating since every other nomination was a limited series that went on to get another season. Plus, she gave a compelling enough performance to earn that Emmy.

She was also overlooked for her roles in Delta House, The Children Nobody Wanted, and Callie & Son. All of those included top-notch performances. However, the most egregious snub is when she didn’t get a nomination, let alone an Emmy, for her performance as Betty Ford in the 2022 show The First Lady. Ultimately, Michelle Pfeiffer deserves to finally gain recognition at the Emmys for her incredible acting prowess, and 2026 could very well be her year.