Rising Female Stand-Up Comedians Around the World to Watch in 2026
Stand-up comedy is becoming increasingly global, and some of the most exciting new voices are women building audiences across North America, Europe, Australia and beyond.
For this 2026 guide, Comedyville is focusing on rising female stand-up comedians with real momentum right now, whether that comes from major comedy festivals, streaming showcases, international touring, television appearances or rapidly growing live audiences.
This is not a ranking of the biggest female comedians overall. Established stars such as Ali Wong, Nikki Glaser and Taylor Tomlinson belong on our broader list of leading female comedians. This page is about performers whose careers are still climbing.
Quick Ranking: Rising Female Stand-Up Comedians in 2026
| Rank | Comedian | Based In / Connected To | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lara Ricote | Mexico / Netherlands / UK | Edinburgh recognition and growing international profile |
| 2 | Gabby Bryan | United States | Sold-out touring and Netflix rising-comic showcase |
| 3 | Sophie Buddle | Canada / United States | Stand-up, television writing and Netflix momentum |
| 4 | Maddie Wiener | United States | Late-night debut and growing national profile |
| 5 | Fatiha El-Ghorri | United Kingdom | Edinburgh newcomer recognition and distinctive voice |
| 6 | Harriet Dyer | United Kingdom | Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination and acclaimed live work |
| 7 | Frankie McNair | Australia | Distinctive live comedy and international festival momentum |
| 8 | Bebe Cave | United Kingdom | Fast-rising Fringe performer with strong live buzz |
| 9 | Amelia Hamilton | United Kingdom | Emerging festival profile and fresh stand-up voice |
| 10 | Jess Fuchs | International / UK circuit | Growing festival recognition and developing audience |
1. Lara Ricote
Lara Ricote has become one of the most interesting international stand-up voices to watch.
Her background spans Mexico, the United States, the Netherlands and the UK comedy scene, giving her work a perspective that does not fit neatly into one national tradition.
Ricote won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2022 and returned to the festival spotlight in 2026 with Inkling, earning a nomination for Best Comedy Show.
Why she’s rising: Ricote is moving from respected festival performer toward a much broader international career, including television and major live opportunities.
2. Gabby Bryan
Gabby Bryan has been building momentum through stand-up, podcasting and touring.
Netflix selected her for The Shortlist at the 2026 Netflix Is a Joke Festival, a showcase designed specifically to highlight comedians gaining industry attention.
She has also been performing to sold-out audiences across the United States and United Kingdom.
Why she’s rising: Bryan has the combination of live audience growth, digital visibility and industry recognition that often precedes a much larger breakout.
3. Sophie Buddle
Canadian comedian Sophie Buddle has steadily expanded her career across both stand-up and television writing.
She has appeared on major late-night programs and worked as head monologue writer for After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson.
Netflix also selected Buddle for its 2026 Shortlist showcase.
Why she’s rising: Buddle combines strong joke writing with increasing exposure in both Canadian and American comedy.
4. Maddie Wiener
Maddie Wiener has spent years developing a highly recognizable stand-up voice built around dry delivery and tightly constructed jokes.
Her profile grew further after a late-night television debut and appearances through Comedy Central and Don’t Tell Comedy.
Netflix included Wiener in its 2026 Shortlist of rising comedians.
Why she’s rising: She represents a newer generation of comics who built credibility through clubs and digital stand-up before moving onto larger industry platforms.
5. Fatiha El-Ghorri
British comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri has developed a distinctive voice around identity, family, culture and modern British life.
Her 2026 Edinburgh show Cockney Stacking Doll earned a nomination for the festival’s Best Newcomer award.
Why she’s rising: Edinburgh recognition can dramatically increase a comedian’s international profile, and El-Ghorri is entering exactly that stage of her career.
6. Harriet Dyer
Harriet Dyer has built a strong reputation on the UK live comedy circuit through an unconventional and highly personal performance style.
Her 2026 show Easily Distra… earned a nomination for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show.
Why she’s rising: Dyer is moving beyond cult festival recognition toward broader attention as one of the UK’s more distinctive stand-up voices.
7. Frankie McNair
Australian comedian Frankie McNair has developed a following through energetic live performances that combine stand-up with theatrical and character-driven elements.
Her work has continued to gain attention on the international festival circuit, particularly in Edinburgh.
Why she’s rising: McNair represents the increasingly blurred line between traditional stand-up, character comedy and alternative live performance.
8. Bebe Cave
Bebe Cave has emerged as one of the younger performers attracting attention on the UK festival circuit.
Her live work combines storytelling, character and observational comedy, helping her stand out in a crowded Fringe environment.
Why she’s rising: Strong festival buzz can be an early sign of a comedian moving toward television, touring and wider international recognition.
9. Amelia Hamilton
Amelia Hamilton is another performer benefiting from the discovery culture surrounding major comedy festivals.
Her growing visibility reflects how important festivals remain for comedians who have not yet reached mainstream streaming audiences.
Why she’s rising: Hamilton is part of a newer wave of performers building reputations through live comedy first rather than relying primarily on social media.
10. Jess Fuchs
Jess Fuchs has been developing a presence on the international festival circuit and attracting attention as an emerging stand-up performer.
At this stage, much of the excitement comes from the fact that her career is still developing.
Why she’s rising: This is exactly the type of comedian a watchlist should include before wider recognition arrives.
Why Rising Female Stand-Up Comedy Is So Global
Stand-up careers no longer need to develop entirely within one national comedy scene.
A comedian can build an audience through Edinburgh, gain exposure through a Netflix showcase in Los Angeles, tour internationally and reach new viewers through online clips, all within the same year.
That is why this list deliberately includes comedians from different comedy ecosystems rather than focusing only on the United States.
How We Chose the Comedians on This List
We looked for performers showing measurable career momentum in 2026, including:
- Major comedy-festival nominations or recognition
- Netflix or streaming showcases
- Growing national or international touring
- Late-night or television appearances
- Strong live-comedy reputation
- Evidence that their audience is expanding beyond one local market
We intentionally excluded comedians who are already firmly established global stars. This is a watchlist, not an all-time ranking.
Established Female Comedians vs. Rising Stars
Someone such as Ali Wong, Taylor Tomlinson or Nikki Glaser may be having an enormous year, but they are no longer emerging performers.
For today’s biggest established names, see our Top Female Stand-Up Comedians Right Now.
For the historical perspective, see our ranking of the funniest female stand-up comedians of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rising Female Stand-Up Comedians
Who are some rising female stand-up comedians to watch in 2026?
Lara Ricote, Gabby Bryan, Sophie Buddle, Maddie Wiener, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Harriet Dyer are among the comedians attracting meaningful industry and festival attention in 2026.
Who are some rising female comedians on Netflix?
Netflix’s 2026 Shortlist showcase featured rising comedians including Gabby Bryan, Sophie Buddle and Maddie Wiener.
Who are some rising female comedians from outside the United States?
Lara Ricote has an international background spanning Mexico, the Netherlands and the UK comedy scene. Sophie Buddle is Canadian, while Fatiha El-Ghorri and Harriet Dyer are part of the UK comedy circuit and Frankie McNair comes from Australia.
Why is the Edinburgh Fringe important for rising comedians?
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe remains one of the world’s most important discovery platforms for live comedy. Awards and strong reviews there can introduce emerging comedians to international promoters, media and audiences.
Where can I discover rising comedians live?
Comedy clubs and festivals remain among the best places to see comedians before they become widely known. Comedyville presents professional and emerging stand-up performers in downtown Montreal throughout the week.
Who Will Break Out Next?
Predicting the next major comedy star is impossible, which is what makes following rising comedians interesting.
The next breakout performer might currently be appearing at Edinburgh, filming a short showcase set, touring small theatres or testing new material in a comedy club.
If you’re in Montreal, see what’s happening at Comedyville’s upcoming stand-up comedy shows.
Post by Eddie Case, exclusively for Comedyville.ca. All rights reserved.
Comedyville is a comedy club located in Downtown Montreal.
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