Emmy Winner Kate McKinnon’s Says Her ‘Greatest Honor’ Is Playing Hillary Clinton

Kate McKinnon, winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live, poses in the press room during the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Actor Kate McKinnon, winner of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Saturday Night Live', poses in the press room during the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

At Sunday night’s 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, Saturday Night Live‘s Kate McKinnon won her second consecutive Supporting Actress in a Comedy Emmy. Backstage post-win, she acknowledged being on the show this year had a special kind of magic. “Every week has a special electricity running through it,” McKinnon said. “I’m proud to have even been a fly on the wall [this year].”

Due to the unusual active news cycle over the past year, the cast and creative team were kept on their toes in regards to what would actually make it to air. “There were a few times where we had to rewrite some stuff the night before,” McKinnon said. “It’s a testament to the [abilities of the] writers.”

One of McKinnon’s most famous characters over the past few years has been her portrayal of 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, whom the actress thanked in her acceptance speech. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life; the greatest role I’ve gotten to play,” she said. “I’m a huge admirer of her.”

Though the awards ceremony had political commentary, one of the most buzzworthy moments was the unexpected appearance of former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. However, McKinnon offered a diplomatic opinion about the cameo: “I enjoyed seeing him again.”