Comedian and actress Janelle James will host the 32nd annual Critics Choice Awards.
An award-winning actress and comedian best known for her scene-stealing role as Ava Coleman in ABC’s Emmy-nominated comedy series “Abbott Elementary,” James has received five consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the series.
The star-studded show will continue its combined film and television awards format, honoring the best in cinematic, televised, and streaming achievement.
“For over three decades, the Critics Choice Awards have been the place where the conversation about the year’s best work really takes off – and who better to host a show about the best of TV and film than one of the very best in the business?” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “We are so honored to have the incredible Janelle James join us to host this year’s Critics Choice Awards.”
Her credits include writing and acting on Showtime’s Black Monday and Apple TV’s Central Park, as well as a role in the feature film One of Them Days, which earned her a 2026 NAACP Image Award nomination. She is also developing Rock City, a new Hulu comedy she is co-writing and executive producing alongside David Caspe. She will debut her first hour-long stand-up special, Janelle James: How Romantic, on Netflix on November 10.
The Critics Choice Awards dole out awards to actors in cinema and television. Historically, they are the most accurate predictor of Academy Award nominations.
Nominations in both the film and television categories for the annual event will be announced December 4 and the 32nd annual Critics Choice Awards will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2027, at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
