Apple and FX’s Diverse Storytelling Leads to Historic Emmy Nominations Success

As a devoted cinephile with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve witnessed the evolution of television and the Emmy Awards over the years. The nominations for the 76th Primetime Emmys have left me both thrilled and encouraged.

Six months after the 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards were postponed due to WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards have been announced. Although many predictions held true, some noteworthy exceptions are worth mentioning. Apple TV+ and FX have emerged as formidable competitors against long-reigning giants like Netflix and HBO/Max. Additionally, after a lengthy struggle for representation, Indigenous communities and women of color have made notable progress, indicating that the television industry is finally shifting towards greater diversity and inclusion (View the complete list of nominees here).

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the high-quality television shows that have emerged despite the disruptions caused by the prolonged strikes in Hollywood during 2023. Traditional Emmy contenders have delivered impressive performances, and newcomers like Netflix have truly shone. For instance, Netflix’s sensation “Baby Reindeer” has earned an astounding 11 nominations, while its long-running favorite, “The Crown,” boasts an impressive additional 18 nods, bringing their total to a remarkable 107 nominations.

Despite FX’s past successes like “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” which brought the basic cable network 56 nominations in 2016, this year has seen FX surge forward with hit shows such as “Shōgun” (25 nominations), “Fargo” (15 nominations), and “The Bear” (23 nominations). With these critically acclaimed series, FX has amassed an impressive 93 nominations, closely rivaling Netflix. Notable performances from “Shōgen,” including Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai in leading roles, as well as supporting actors Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira, have earned them recognition as frontrunners and contenders respectively.

Apple TV+ secured 70 nominations in this year’s awards, an increase from the 54 nods received last year. Although “Masters of the Air” didn’t gain recognition for acting or in the limited series category, Idris Elba surprised with a sixth nomination for “Hijack.” “The Morning Show” earned four supporting actress nominations and 16 total, with both Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston receiving lead actress in a drama nods. Newcomer “Palm Royale,” featuring Kristin Wiig as the comedy actress nominee, garnered 11 nominations. Notably, “Slow Horses” with Gary Oldman and “Lessons in Chemistry” starring Brie Larson each received 9 and 10 nominations, respectively.

(An intriguing fact: Maya Rudolph, who stars in Apple TV+’s “Loot” alongside Wiig, is up for two awards. She is nominated in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her leading role, as well as in the category of Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series for her appearances on “Saturday Night Live.”).

I’ve been closely following the representation of indigenous communities on television this awards season, and I’m thrilled to report that the TV Academy has made significant strides forward. In this year’s nominations, shows like “Reservation Dogs” on FX and “True Detective: Night Country” on HBO have shone a light on indigenous talent.

Women of color made a significant impact in Emmy nominations this year. Notable mentions include Aja Naomi King for “Lessons in Chemistry” and Nava Mau for “Baby Reindeer,” both in the supporting actress limited series and movie category. In the comedy lead actress category, women of color truly shone. Alongside Rudolph’s recognition for “Loot,” Selena Gomez earned her first Emmy acting nomination for her role as Mabel Mora in ABC’s “Only Murders in the Building.” Previous winner Quinta Brunson was also nominated for ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” and Ayo Edebiri, who transitioned from supporting to leading roles, was recognized for FX’s “The Bear.” This comedy lead actress category is sure to result in an exciting showdown among these talented women.

Apple TV+ and FX stand out by telling distinctive stories and amplifying underheard voices, particularly women’s perspectives. Their approach has drawn notice from both audiences and critics. It remains to be seen if this focus on diversity will become a trend among other streaming services and networks, or if these recognitions were merely an anomaly of the current TV landscape.

2024-07-17 22:46

Apple and FX’s Diverse Storytelling Leads to Historic Emmy Nominations Success

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