The current pandemic affecting the world has made the fate of awards shows uncertain, but that hasn’t stopped the Emmys from going forward. Here’s the nominees Robbie Nichols is keeping an eye on…
While it was originally going to be held in Los Angeles, the show will now be presented virtually – taking place in the homes of actors across America. But you can’t have an award show without nominees including Leslie Jones, Laverne Cox, Josh Gad and Tatiana Maslany – all to be seen on 28 July.
HBO managed to bag the shows with the most major nominations, with Watchmen and Succession nominated for eleven and ten awards respectively. Other front runners in terms of multiple nominations are Ozark with 9, and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and Schitt’s Creek – both with eight nominations.
However, Netflix ended up with the most nominations in total, earning a solid 42 nominations across all their eligible content.
While the full list of nominees can be found on the Emmy website, here is a run through some of my personal highlights and predictions for the nominated actors and shows.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Image credit: TV Series Finale
Out of the eight shows nominated, I was personally most excited to see Issa Rae’s Insecure in the list. The show tackles black culture and the black experience in the perspective of two black women in America. Its humour does not hold back, and it’s ridiculously enjoyable. The show is well deserving of its place in the list among other comedy titans such as The Good Place, Schitt’s Creek, and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel.
Outstanding Drama Series
None of the shows nominated in the drama category are much of a surprise. Nearly every show in the category has been nominated for all its prior series, bar one. Sitting among usual suspects like The Crown, and Better Call Saul, is Disney+’s The Mandalorian. Star Wars has always been taken incredibly seriously within the entertainment business, so I’m not shocked to see this series up nominated!
It’s incredibly well made – and well received. In fact, it’s nice to see it get recognised beyond the insatiable Baby Yoda memes. However, with Game of Thrones no longer on the air, six of the shows it beat out last year are nominated again. It will be interesting to see who wins…
Actors and Actresses in Comedy Series
Image credit: Next Episode
This is where my bias opinion shows through. I love Schitt’s Creek – beyond normal means – and I would be lying if I pretended that the nomination of all four of the Rose family didn’t make me happy. I would love for them all to win. However realistically, they won’t. However, Catherine O’Hara needs to win. Her turn as Moira Rose is nothing short of revolutionary. Give her that award! And if she doesn’t win, one of the other cast members needs to. When looking at the actors up for nominations this year, I would personally like to see Andre Braugher win for his portrayal of Captain Holt in Brooklyn 99, having been nominated three previous times.
Actors and Actresses in Drama Series
It’s hard to believe that Olivia Colman won’t bag another win for The Crown this year. She won at the Golden Globes among a lot of the same nominees. However, Jennifer Anniston beat her out at the SAG Awards for her role in The Morning Show. It’s unlikely that Colman won’t win though.
I’d also like to mention Zendaya, who has been nominated for her first ever lead role in an eligible drama series, in Euphoria. Well deserved. I’d also like to see Billy Porter win again this year, for his stellar role of Pray Tell in Pose – a show which was severely snubbed this year. Where is that lead actress nomination for MJ Rodriguez?!
Outstanding Limited Series or TV Movie
Image credit: Consequence of Sound
I always think this category is a harder call, with such high-quality programming always being displayed. However, my highlights for this area was the love for Little Fires Everywhere and Mrs. America. Both shows are deserving of the win for Outstanding Limited Series in my opinion – and I urge people to watch both. I must admit however, I haven’t watched as many of the nominees for Outstanding Television Movie. I do enjoy the love for the interactive Kimmy Schmidt special, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend.
Actors and Actresses in Limited Series & TV Movie
My love for Little Fires Everywhere and Mrs. America extends to their actresses who are also nominated this year. Kerry Washington has never been more deserving of an Emmy than she is for her performance in the Amazon original. With three of Mrs. America’s supporting cast making up the six nominees for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, I find it hard to think that one of them won’t win.
My money is on Uzo Aduba for her performance as Shirley Chisholm – the first black woman elected to US Congress. I also like the love for the actors of Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood in the actor categories this year. While Hollywood itself was not as stellar as I was hoping it to be, the acting in it was. Out of the three nominations the male cast received, I think Jim Parsons will win for his portrayal of Hollywood agent Henry Wilson. His cruelty was laugh out loud hilarious.
And, there you have it, some of the highlights and predictions for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. Go check out the full list of Emmy nominees yourself and see how your opinions stack up against mine.
By Robbie Nichols
Feature image: Hollywood Reporter