The important Primetime Emmy Awards have been presented in the USA. The favorites included the series “Shogun” and “The Bear,” both of which won big. Political matters were only touched upon briefly.
When screenwriter Will Smith took the stage to accept his Emmy for best screenplay, he couldn’t resist making a joke. “Relax. Despite my name, I come in peace,” he said, referencing the Oscar slap by his namesake.
Liza Colón-Zayas also had the audience in laughter when she thanked the team for adjusting her microphone. The 1.60-meter tall actress received the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her role in “The Bear.” In her acceptance speech, she also referred to her Puerto Rican roots: “Latinos, believe in yourselves. And go vote.” One of the few political notes of the evening.
“The Bear,” the series about a sandwich shop in Chicago, won a total of four awards at the Primetime Emmys: best directing, best lead actor, best supporting actress, and best supporting actor. At the Emmys in the so-called creative categories held last week in a smaller ceremony, the series had already won seven awards, bringing its total to eleven Emmys.
The cast of “The Bear” was allowed to celebrate: Jeremy Allen White (left) as best lead actor, Liza Colón-Zayas as best supporting actress, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as best supporting actor.
“Shogun” is the big winner
Even more successful was the drama series “Shogun” from the Disney television channel FX. It had already won 14 Emmys in the creative categories – including for outstanding casting, visual effects, and original music. Now, four more awards were added: best drama series, best lead actress, best lead actor, best directing. Thus, the lavish series about power, intrigue, and love affairs in 17th-century Japan was by far the most successful series, achieving more than 18 awards in a single season for the first time ever.
“Shogun” was an East-West encounter that gives him hope, said lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada: “Shogun showed me that when people work together, we can create a better future.”
Creating a better future together was also a theme for Princess Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki in the drama series “The Crown.” She received the award for best supporting actress for this role. “It was a great privilege to play this role, based on this extraordinary, incredible person,” she said.
A hit without a star cast
The success of “Reindeer Baby” in the miniseries category was no surprise: best miniseries, best screenplay, best supporting actress, and best lead actor. The stalking story is based on the experiences of the author and lead actor Richard Gadd and comes without big names.
Studios should dare to do this more often, Gadd believes. “You don’t need big stars, proven IP, long-running series, or stories that appeal to everyone to have a hit.” The series had already won two creative Emmys.
Diverse, but apolitical
For the first time in Emmy history, the group of nominees was as diverse as this year. The stories also ventured more frequently than before into lesser-known life worlds – for example, those of the indigenous tribes of Alaska in the miniseries “True Detectives.” Lead actress Jodie Foster received her first Emmy of her long career for her portrayal of a police chief.
Scandalous appearances and major political messages were absent from the ceremony – aside from some minor jabs at Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. Multiple times, presenters and winners called for people to go and vote.
The main awards at a glance
- Best Drama Series: “Shogun”
- Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Anna Sawai, “Shogun”
- Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”
- Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
- Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”
- Best Directing in a Drama Series: Frederick E.O. Toye, “Shogun”
- Best Screenplay for a Drama Series: Will Smith, “Slow Horses”
- Best Comedy Series: “Hacks”
- Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
- Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, “Hacks”
- Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”
- Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”
- Best Directing in a Comedy Series: Christopher Storer, “The Bear”
- Best Screenplay for a Comedy Series: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, “Hacks”
- Best Miniseries: “Reindeer Baby”
- Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries: Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”
- Best Lead Actor in a Miniseries: Richard Gadd, “Reindeer Baby”
- Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries: Jessica Gunning, “Reindeer Baby”
- Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries: Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”
- Best Directing in a Miniseries: Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”
- Best Screenplay for a Miniseries: Richard Gadd, “Reindeer Baby”