Emily Lynne Berthold, known in her work as Emily Lynne, is a comedian, writer, and voice actor. She is Kate McKinnon’s younger sister and her creative partner on the audio comedy Heads Will Roll. Their second season, Heir Apparent, came out in June 2026.
Her name is in the news because the sisters made a new season of their fantasy show. They also spoke in June 2026 about a family wedding that Kate led. Yet Emily has credits beyond her sister’s famous TV work.
This profile covers the audio series, her earlier comedy roles, and their shared work. It also explains the difference between writing, voice acting, and making a sketch.
Two Sisters Who Made Comedy Together
Kate McKinnon became famous on Saturday Night Live. Emily Lynne built a career in comedy too, though often in smaller shows and audio work.
The sisters grew up in New York. They have spoken about making up scenes and odd characters as children. Those games later found a place in work they made together.
A 2021 profile noted their shared love of sketches. It also listed Emily’s work on TV shows and short comedy projects.
Working with family can be fun, but it still calls for skill. A joke needs a clear idea, a good pace, and people who know when to leave space for the next line.
Notary Publix Came Before the Audio Series
In 2015, Kate and Emily made a short web series called Notary Publix. They played sisters who took their notary jobs far too seriously.
The joke was simple. A task as plain as signing a form became a world full of drama. The two performers used big feelings and silly rules to make it work.
A Comedy Cake report from April 21, 2015 covered one of the episodes. It named Emily and Kate and described the cast, which also included Aidy Bryant.
The show ran in short parts. That format gave the team little time to set up each joke. It also gave the sisters a way to try a strange idea without making a full TV season.
Heads Will Roll Began In 2019
The sisters later made Heads Will Roll for Audible. It is a scripted comedy told through sound. The first season came out in 2019.
Kate played Queen Mortuana, a ruler with a lot of pride and poor judgment. Emily played JoJo, a raven who helps the queen and gets drawn into her wild plans.
The official Audible page lists both women as writers and voice performers. It also names guests such as Meryl Streep and Peter Dinklage.
An audio show has no screen to show a face or a room. The story must work through voices, sound, music, and words. That can make a small joke feel large when the cast gets the timing right.
What Kind of Show Is It?
Heads Will Roll uses a fantasy world to make jokes about modern life. There are queens, strange beasts, and rules that make little sense. The cast treats those silly things as part of daily life.
It is not a children’s story. Audible labels it for mature listeners. The humor includes adult topics and strong language, even though the setting sounds like a fairy tale.
The first season helped prove that a full cast could make a long comedy for people who like to listen rather than watch. The sisters returned to that world years later.
A New Season Arrived in June 2026
On April 28, 2026, Audible announced the second season, Heads Will Roll: Heir Apparent. It set the release for June 25.
The story follows the queen as she faces a rule about having an heir. JoJo has a new problem too, after a plan to change her wings goes wrong.
The cast grew with guests such as Megan Mullally, Laurie Metcalf, and Richard Kind. Kate and Emily came back to their lead roles.
The announcement also named the sisters as the show’s co-creators. That matters because Emily was not just a guest in a famous sibling’s project. She helped make the series itself.
Why a Second Season Matters
A second season gives writers a chance to build on an old idea. The cast and world are known, but the story still needs new jokes and a reason to go on.
For Emily, the new season is a fresh public credit in 2026. It also shows that the sisters kept a shared project alive beyond their first run.
Other TV and Voice Work
Emily has credits outside Heads Will Roll. She has worked on comedy and animated shows, including Our Cartoon President and The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show.
A Rotten Tomatoes cast listing names Emily Lynne among the voices on Our Cartoon President. That show used cartoons and satire to make jokes about public life.
Voice work is not just reading a line. A performer must give a character a mood and a pace. In animation, the voice may help the artists shape how a scene feels.
Emily’s work has moved between sketches, TV, and audio. Each form asks for a different way to make people laugh. The credits show a wider career than a single family link.
A Family Wedding Became News In 2026
In 2025, Emily married artist Matt Leary. Her sister Kate led the wedding ceremony. The event later came up in a TV interview.
A People report in June 2026 covered the sisters’ appearance on Today. They were there to talk about the new Heads Will Roll season.
Kate joked about being ready to lead more weddings. The story was a light family moment tied to the show’s launch. It did not change Emily’s work credits.
Emily has shared some of her life in public. That does not mean every part of her marriage or home belongs in a profile. Her creative work is the main reason for her public role.
Why Her Own Credits Deserve Attention
A famous sibling can make a name easier to find. It can also hide the work of the person being searched. Emily has helped write and perform a show with a large cast.
She has also taken part in web comedy and TV satire. Those are real credits. They show work across more than one kind of comedy.
The Audible announcement is especially clear. It calls both sisters co-creators. That word means Emily helped build the idea, not just lend a voice after it was made.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Is Emily Lynne Berthold?
Emily Lynne Berthold is a comedian, writer, and voice actor. She is Kate McKinnon’s sister and co-created Heads Will Roll.
What Role Does Emily Play in Heads Will Roll?
She voices JoJo, the raven who works with Queen Mortuana, played by Kate McKinnon.
When Did Heads Will Roll Season Two Come Out?
Audible announced that Heads Will Roll: Heir Apparent would debut on June 25, 2026.
Did Emily and Kate Work Together Before 2019?
Yes. They made the short comedy series Notary Publix in 2015.
Who Did Emily Lynne Marry?
She married artist Matt Leary in 2025. Kate McKinnon led the ceremony.
Final Thoughts
Emily Lynne Berthold has built comedy through voices, scripts, and shared ideas. Notary Publix showed the sisters’ taste for odd sketches. Heads Will Roll gave them a much larger world to play in.
The 2026 season adds a new chapter. It also makes one point clear: Emily is a co-creator with her own work record, not just a name beside a famous sister.
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