Tennessee native and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumna Leanne Morgan announced that her self-titled Netflix sitcom "Leanne" has won its first Emmy.
Morgan shared in a social media announcement that "Leanne" had taken home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series for Season 1, Episode 16, "Having Big Feelings," which was edited by Russell Griffin.
"I don’t even know what to say. LEANNE is now an EMMY WINNING show!!" Morgan wrote in her announcement. "THANK YOU!!! We are so proud of this show and so grateful y’all love it like we do."
Other nominees in the category included "The Neighborhood," "Shifting Gears," "Tyler Perry's Assisted Living" and "The Upshaws."
Who is Leanne Morgan?
Morgan filmed "Leanne" at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, but the comedian's roots are here in Tennessee. She took time off to get married, but that marriage ultimately ended and Morgan returned to Rocky Top and graduated with a degree in child and family studies in 1992.
Born in Adams, Tennessee, near the Kentucky state line, Morgan moved from her small town, which shejoked didn't have pizza delivery and still doesn't, to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee in 1983.
It was during her second stint at UT that Morgan met her husband, Chuck Morgan, also a University of Tennessee alumnus. The two moved to Bean Station, Tennessee, and then back to Knox County to live in Farragut.
The couple has three children, Charlie, Maggie, and Tess, two of whom also have connections to the University of Tennessee. Maggie graduated in 2018 with a degree in communications studies and Tess briefly attended before leaving due to health struggles.
Morgan entered the comedy world years before her big break. She started performing at small comedy clubs after her humor was noticed by attendees at small house parties where she sold jewelry.
The Tennessee native's career took off in 2019 when a clip of her joking about the differences between attending concerts in your 20s versus your 50s went viral. The concert that inspired the joke? A 2018 Def Leppard and Journey show held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Shortly after Morgan went viral, she landed a Netflix comedy special, "I'm Every Woman." She then caught the attention of TV producer Chuck Lorre, and the two pitched "Leanne" to Netflix. The first season premiered in July 2025, and then Morgan's second comedy special was released on Netflix in November 2025.
Morgan is currently on a stand-up tour with stops across Tennessee, including Chattanooga and Nashville. Her Knoxville stops are Dec. 12 and 13, 2026 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
What is 'Leanne' about?
The show follows Leanne Murphy, played by Morgan, a grandmother who is trying to navigate life after her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman.
The titular character begins dating again after her life is upended and she faces her "new chapter with grace, dignity, and Jell-O salad," according to Netflix.
Despite its recent Emmy success, "Leanne" has not been renewed for a third season.
The sitcom pays homage to Knoxville in episodes such as Season 1, Episode 3 titled "Oh, Knoxville" or in Season 2, Episode 8 titled "Have a Rocky Top Day."
Afton Pratt covers trending and breaking news for The Knoxville News Sentinel and Tennessee. She can be reached at ampratt@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee native Leanne Morgan celebrates first Emmy win for 'Leanne'
