The award was first presented at the 7th Primetime Emmy Awards on March 7 , 1955 , to Judith Anderson for her performance as Lady Macbeth on the '' Hallmark Hall of Fame '' episode " Macbeth " . It has undergone several name changes , with the category split into two categories at the 25th Primetime Emmy Awards : Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special Program – Drama or Comedy ; and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series . By the 31st Primetime Emmy Awards , the categories were merged into one , and has since undergone several name changes , leading to its current title
25th Primetime Emmy Awards
25th Primetime Emmy Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie