I've written about the Emmy races for limited series and comedy, which brings us to drama. And if you think this is an example of me saving the best for last, that's not the case. Far from there. Thanks to production delays caused by last year's strikes, as well as the end of perennial Emmy-nominated films like “Succession” and “Better Call Saul,” this year's list of contending drama series is slim. The eventual nominees may not be the worst ever selected… but they will be close.
How bad will it be? That depends on whether you believe guilty pleasures exist (hey, if you like something, why apologize?) or that pleasure can be found in watching a hateful series just to see how crazy it can get. With those stipulations in mind, let's take a look at the landscape, which can charitably be described as “wide open,” for this year's Emmy drama categories.
Gary Oldman in “Slow Horses.”
(Jack English)
DRAMA SERIES
Maybe you'll consider this first season of “Shougun” be a limited series, as was the 1980 television adaptation of James Clavell's book starring Richard Chamberlain. I'm not going to argue. I'll just tell you to be thankful that it will be back for a couple more seasons and because of that, it will compete as a drama and rank the ensemble. It will be joined by the final season of “The crown,” the only nominee from last season eligible this year.
Emmy voters have been content to ignore Apple TV+'s flagship series “The morning program” in this category, rewarding him mainly for his performance. She had a new showrunner this year, and you can't say that Charlotte Stoudt didn't lean into the zany plot twists and frenetic energy that fans seem to love. Meanwhile, another Apple TV+ show, the renowned misfit spy saga “Slow horses” is still seeking his first Emmy nomination of any kind. Good news! It is a very open landscape!
From there, voters can dig into a perfectly entertaining Marvel series (“Loki”), a couple of stylish crime dramas (“Sugar”, “Vice in Tokyo”), a dizzying adaptation of a post-apocalyptic video game (“Fall”), a challenging take on an unadaptable book from the “Game of Thrones” team (“3 body problem”), light period fluff (“The Golden Age”) and a film adaptation that, in my circle, no one had the patience to see to the end (“Mister. & Mrs. Smith”). The same could also be said of “The course,” an equally brilliant and alienating spectacle.
Anna Sawai in “Shōgun.”
(Kurt Iswarienko/FX)
DRAMA ACTRESS
Nobody had a better character arc than Anna Sawai in “Shōgun”: vassal, translator, warrior, lover, avenger. His final moments on the show stand up to anything on television this year. Emma StoneNow a two-time Oscar winner with her recent win for “Poor Things,” she is also a formidable contender for her haunting role in “The Curse.”
Several protagonists could be nominated after being ignored last year: Imelda Staunton for playing Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown” Carrie Coon for wholeheartedly embracing the melodrama of “The Gilded Age” and Jennifer Aniston for its star lights up “The Morning Show.” Voters opted for Aniston's co-star, Reese witherspoonin 2023. Perhaps they will attend the ceremony together in September.
Other possibilities: Maya Erskine (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”), Carrie Preston for the verse spin-off of “The Good Wife”, “Elsbeth” and Juliette Binoche for her sang-froid Coco Chanel in “The New Look” (and because she deserved more love for making us swoon in Trần Anh Hùng’s “The Taste of Things”). Ella Purnell She might be the most deserving contender for the hell her character went through in “Fallout.”
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
(David Lee/First video)
DRAMA ACTOR
I don't know what's going on with the digestive system of television critics, but I don't think I've ever read a review of “Slow Horses” that hasn't expressed a deep appreciation for old Gary's ability to expel gases. Can you win an Emmy for a certain gift for flatulence? We're about to find out.
“Shōgun” leads Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis Both will be nominated, and since this adaptation belongs to Sanada's Lord Toranaga, he has the advantage. (No one beats Toranaga). One thing I just learned: Dominic West He has never been nominated for an Emmy. Appreciation for the last two seasons of “The Crown” has waned, and he may be too charming to play Prince Charles, but his grieving monarch was nonetheless moving.
Most of the time, voters like to have an emotional connection with the characters. that says Nathan Fielder (“The Curse”) and Donald Glover (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) at a disadvantage, but perhaps it will raise the hopes of Walton Gogginswhose Ghoul has a tragic backstory in “Fallout.” Colin Farrellyes The private eye was also dealing with a dark past — and a big secret — in “Sugar,” a series that confused many viewers with its midseason twist but worked (mostly) for me as a stylish sci-fi novel. . Farrell always delivers.
Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret in “The Crown.”
(Keith Bernstein/Netflix)
DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Elizabeth Debicki She won the Screen Actors Guild award for her sensitive portrayal of a brooding Diana in “The Crown” earlier this year, and with Jennifer Coolidge out of the running, she could very well win the Emmy as well. Castmate Lesley Manville she should be nominated, too, since the series finally gave her a featured episode in “Ritz,” the gorgeous, devastating climax to the final season of “The Crown.” Manville's Princess Margaret is absolutely stunning. She maybe she should take the Emmy.
Another English legend Kristin Thomas, could earn recognition for his hilarious perfection in “Slow Horses.” As for the remaining five spots: Emmy favorites christina Baransky (15 nominations, 1 win) and Cynthia Nixon (5 nominations, 2 Emmy Awards) have arguments to elevate “The Gilded Age” above the ordinary. Moeka Hoshi and Fumi Nikaido It could be part of a “Shōgun” sweep. (Both had exceptional moments in the season finale.) And four women from “The Morning Show”: Greta Lee, Holland Taylor, Nicole Beharie and Karen Pittman – had memorable scenes that could linger in voters' minds.
Carrie Coon and Nathan Lane in the second season of “The Gilded Age.”
(Barbara Nitke/HBO)
DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR
Billy Crudup It won this category for the first season of “The Morning Show” and remains the best reason to watch the series. His co-star this season, jon hammHe'll join him, playing the affable, space-loving billionaire Elon Musk can only wish he was. Maybe Mark Duplassnominated for the first season, also returns.
They probably won't be the only castmates nominated here. Look for khalid abdalla and Jonathan Pryce from “The Crown” and up to three actors from “Shōgun” – Tadanobu Asano, Hira Takehiro and Tokuma Nishioka. (Asano's wildly entertaining portrayal of Yabushige makes him my favorite in the entire category.)
And it looks like after eight nominations (and one win) for guest acting, it might be time for Nathan Lane to get his due as a regular actor on “The Gilded Age.” Her sweet potato pie accent from Savannah, Georgia, is absolutely, deliciously ridiculous, just like the show.
