Abby McEnany: Comedy, Courage, and Change

Abby McEnany has carved a unique path in television and comedy, blending raw honesty with disarming humor. Best known for her groundbreaking work on Showtime’s Work in Progress and her compelling role in CBS’s Tracker, McEnany is redefining what it means to be a queer performer in Hollywood. This article explores her journey—from improv stages to national acclaim—and why her voice remains vital in today’s evolving media landscape.

Abby McEnany: A Distinctive Voice in Queer Comedy

Abby McEnany, born January 5, 1968, is an American writer, comedian, and actress known for her authentic portrayal of queer experiences. After years in Chicago’s vibrant improv scene, she gained national recognition with the semi-autobiographical Showtime series Work in Progress (2019–2021), which she co-created and starred in. McEnany’s unique voice, fearless honesty, and comedic timing have positioned her as one of the most compelling figures in contemporary television.

In 2024, Abby McEnany surprised many by stepping into the world of dramatic television with her role in CBS’s crime procedural Tracker. As Velma Bruin, the witty and supportive tech handler to Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley), McEnany brought a grounded and empathetic presence to the high-stakes world of tracking fugitives. Her performance added emotional nuance and humor to a show otherwise defined by action and suspense.

Early Life and Improv Roots

Abby McEnany was born and raised in a family that moved often, living in Boston, Providence, and Columbus before settling in San Francisco in 1982. The daughter of a successful doctor, McEnany was exposed early on to the pressures of high expectations. Despite this, Abby McEnany gravitated toward the arts and comedy.

Abby McEnany attended the University of Chicago, where she graduated in 1992. It was during her time in the city that she became immersed in Chicago’s legendary improv community. She began taking classes at The Second City, where she studied under none other than Stephen Colbert. Despite working in customer service and technical writing for years to make ends meet, McEnany never lost sight of her creative aspirations. In her forties, she was selected for Second City’s touring company, a rare feat and a testament to her talent and perseverance.

During the early 2000s, she became a founding member of “The Judo Intellectuals,” a long-form improv group at Chicago’s Playground Theater. It was there that McEnany honed her skills as both a performer and a storyteller, often using her own life as material. Her performances were unflinching, often deeply personal, and always laced with wit.

Breakthrough with Work in Progress

It wasn’t until her early 50s that McEnany found mainstream success. Alongside director Tim Mason and executive producer Lilly Wachowski, McEnany developed Work in Progress, a half-hour comedy that explored her character’s struggles with mental illness, identity, and the challenges of being a queer person navigating midlife. The show debuted to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival before being picked up by Showtime.

In Work in Progress, McEnany portrayed a fictionalized version of herself: a self-described “fat, queer dyke” living with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The show tackled heavy themes such as suicidal ideation, LGBTQ+ relationships, and self-worth with honesty and a refreshing lack of sentimentality. It was hailed by critics as one of the most groundbreaking queer series of its time.

McEnany’s performance earned her a 2020 Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role, as well as nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Gotham Independent Film Award. More importantly, Work in Progress became a cultural touchstone for queer audiences seeking authentic representation.

Transition to Dramatic Roles in Tracker

In 2024, McEnany joined the CBS series Tracker, created by Ben Winters and based on the bestselling novel by Jeffery Deaver. Her character, Velma Bruin, is a vital part of Colter Shaw’s team. From Abby McEnany remote command center, Velma provides Colter with logistical support, background intel, and occasional tough love. McEnany’s portrayal was warmly received by fans and critics alike, many praising her natural chemistry with Hartley and her ability to infuse the procedural with humor and heart.

While Velma appeared regularly in the first season, her presence was reduced in Season 2, possibly due to creative changes behind the scenes. Still, McEnany’s impact on the series was undeniable. Her ability to pivot from raw, introspective comedy to mainstream drama demonstrated her range and solidified her status as a versatile performer.

Advocacy and Personal Identity

McEnany has never shied away from discussing her personal life. Openly queer, she describes herself as a “queer dyke” and has been candid about her experiences with depression and OCD. In interviews, Abby McEnany emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing mental illness and challenging societal norms about gender, body image, and sexuality.

She has used her platform to advocate for inclusive storytelling, particularly for older queer individuals who are often left out of mainstream narratives. Her work encourages audiences to reconsider what it means to be a romantic lead, a hero, or a protagonist.

McEnany’s authenticity resonates deeply with fans, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community who see their own experiences reflected in her characters. Her bold approach to storytelling has opened doors for a new generation of queer writers and performers.

Recognition and Awards

In addition to her breakthrough accolades for Work in Progress, McEnany has continued to receive praise for her contributions to television and comedy. Some of her honors include:

• 2020 Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role
• 2021 Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series
• 2021 Gotham Independent Film Award nomination for Breakthrough Series – Shortform
• 2022 Autostraddle TV Awards: Nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Out LGBTQ+ Actor in a Comedy and Outstanding LGBTQ+ Director/Writer/Showrunner

She has also been invited to speak at universities, film festivals, and mental health panels, where she shares insights into the intersection of comedy, trauma, and identity.

Future Endeavors and Creative Legacy

Looking ahead, McEnany shows no signs of slowing down. While her role in Tracker may be evolving, Abby McEnany passion for storytelling remains as strong as ever. She has expressed interest in writing another series, potentially one that explores queer joy rather than queer trauma, and is reportedly working on a memoir.

There is also speculation about her returning to the stage, perhaps with a one-woman show that delves into her experiences navigating fame, family, and identity later in life. Her fans are eager to see what she does next, knowing that whatever she creates will be honest, raw, and deeply human.

Abby McEnany’s career is a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and unapologetic self-expression. From the small stages of Chicago to national television, Abby McEnany has blazed a trail for queer artists and redefined what success can look like at any age. Her journey is not just inspiring—it is revolutionary.

As television continues to evolve and audiences demand more diverse, inclusive stories, voices like Abby McEnany’s are more vital than ever. Whether through comedy or drama, she continues to challenge the status quo and prove that it’s never too late to make an impact.