The Emmy nominations came out on Thursday, and like always, there were some surprises and snubs. This post would be like ten pages long if I tried to list ALL of the nominations, so I’m just listing the big ones for the series below, and you can see all the nominations here. There were some changes this year with the nominating process and how many shows can get nominated? Because the Best Series lists used to be a lot of shorter, but that’s just another example about how fractured episodic TV is these days.
Outstanding Drama Series:
The Americans (FX)
The Crown (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
This Is Us (NBC)
Westworld (HBO)Outstanding Comedy Series:
Atlanta (FX)
black-ish (ABC)
Barry (HBO)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
GLOW (Netflix)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Silicon Valley (HBO)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)Outstanding Limited Series:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Godless (Netflix)
The Alientist (TNT)
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Some general thoughts about the big nominations: they’re finally recognizing The Americans for their final season, but that’s not a guarantee that The Americans will win. The Emmys might be more “woke” than the Oscars, but ten bucks says they’ll just give all of the big Emmys to white British peeps. Downton Abbey kept winning for years after it jumped the shark, and The Crown is only in its second season. For Best Comedy… it should go to Atlanta or black-ish, but I bet it goes to Curb Your Enthusiasm or Silicon Valley (because white folks). And hey, at least they didn’t nominate Modern Family for the millionth time, that’s some progress. Limited series… come on, it will be Patrick Melrose. You know it.
As for the actors and actresses who got nominated, there are some big notables: Sandra Oh is now the first actress of Asian descent to be nominated for a Best Actress Emmy (she’s nominated for the highly acclaimed Killing Eve). There were notable (?) snubs for both Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington on Game of Thrones, which… it wasn’t their best season, was it? And the ladies of This Is Us aren’t nominated, but that’s not surprising – the show seems to have lost a lot of steam.
Other snubs: Roseanne (the show) didn’t get nominated for Best Comedy and Roseanne Barr didn’t get nominated. OH WELL. No Twin Peaks, but that one seems sort of reasonable? I mean, don’t hate me, but that revival was rather a niche experience, right? Oh, and the Will & Grace reboot got snubbed for Best Comedy too, but I’m not mad about that. The revival is bad, people.
Notable nominations: Issa Rae got nominated, hurray! So did Ted Danson for The Good Place. The right people from Game of Thrones got nominated: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Jessica Biel got nominated for The Sinner, a limited series I actually watched and half-enjoyed. It was SO dumb, but I’m happy she got nominated and I look forward to seeing how Justin Timberlake makes her nomination all about him. Benedict Cumberbatch picked up another Emmy nomination too, for Patrick Melrose.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Go Sandra!!!!
+1 but how is it possible Jodie Comer didn’t get a nom??
That is a huge snub.
Jodie was submitted as a lead actress – the head of BBC America made a point of saying that she was a co-lead and deserved to be acknowledged as such (as opposed to basically committing category fraud & submitting Jodie as supporting).
Unfortunately for Jodie, lead actress is stacked this year.
I love, love, love Jodie Comer – so good in Killing Eve. She does so much with just her eyes. She can go from appearing sweet and normal to total sociopath and then back again with just a look. Extraordinary.
Christina Yang for the win!!!!!
Killing Eve was so good. If someone reading hasn’t watched it they should. Sandra has been really good and underrated in some other small films so I am glad to see she is getting recognized. Love. Her.
It it really violent? I really want to watch it. I loved the Americans (had to leave the room sometimes) but defintely cannot do game of thrones level watching.
Ohhhh I want to see Jamie and Cersei win. I love those two so much (as actors not as characters, ha.) I think they both steal every scene they are in.
I’m thrilled for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. He is one of the best things on GoT.
As for Kit and Emilia, their entire season was to sell us their budding, incest romance, which didn’t work for me. Hate to say it, but sometimes their characters are the worst part of GoT and they have zero chemistry. But, I know I’m in the minority in this opinion.
I’m agreeing with you across the board this morning, Jenns. I’m still not over the fact that Coster-Waldau wasn’t nom’d for his phenomenal work in season 3. And D&J chemistry was awful.
I don’t think Emilia is that great an actress in general, although better in some scenes/storylines than others. I think Kit is a pretty good actor, and I understand his character can’t always be written the way I like, but they did his acting no favors this season. And the lack of chemistry……bleh.
NCW and Lena have always been two of my favorites. Even when I hate them, I love them.
No Jenns, you are 100% correct about Kit and Emilia.
I actually like Kit’s acting–I think he is good. But Emilia is SO bad. And I’ve seen her in other stuff, and she is not as stiff as she is in GoT. Although I do think season 7 was her best acting. I also think if they hadn’t focused as many lines/observations about Jon/daenerys, then the development of their relationship would have gone smoother, because as soon as it happened (and I thought their attraction, at least on Jon/Kit’s side was believable….) they had characters commenting on it. Literally two seconds later.
Honestly Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is my favorite and he needs to win alllll the awards.
I’m not much of a tv show watcher. GoT and This Is Us are the only shows I’m dedicated to, so they’re the ones I’ll be rooting for. I really hope NC-W wins, his portrayal of Jaime is nothing short of phenomenal. He’s given the character so much depth & humanity that even though he’s not really a good person you find yourself rooting for him. Lena Headey has been amazing from the beginning but her character’s development, especially since the “shaming,” has also been phenomenal. And Peter Dinklage is always awesome, even though I think his best work is when Tyrion was on trial for Joffrey’s murder and the aftermath. I’m going to be so sad when GoT ends.
I agree with all and with VirC. I like Kit’s acting usually. I think the script for season 7 sucked rocks but Lena and NCW are always on top of their game.
Them and Peter are probably the best actors on the show. I don’t know how Emila and Kit got ‘snubbed’. Neither of them can act worthy of a nomination anyways…
Kit and Emilia were like watching a coat hook fall in love with a doorknob. He spent half the season looking at her like she was giving off vegan farts while other characters kept hilariously telling us how into her he totally is, no seriously you guys. Apparently Kit Harington and the writers didn’t even agree on which scene was the one where Jon started “liking” Daenerys. Their chemistry was literally so atrocious that there’s a popular theory that Jon is faking his “love” because he suspects that Cersei was lying and he wants to keep Dany from abandoning the North when she finds out. The fact that Dany spent the whole season acting like a bratty, murderous dictator didn’t help either. The fact that GoT is nominated again for best drama is just proof that the Emmys are paid off.
Emilia Clarke is one of the most aggressively bad actresses in Hollywood too, so that doesn’t help. If she didn’t have a British accent people would be making Megan Fox jokes about her constantly. Kit Harington is not much better.
Am I the only one who doesn’t think that D&J chemistry wasn’t that bad?
Love me some Issa and Sandra!!
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and The Good Place were robbed (Happy for Ted Danson’s nom tho). ‘The First Penis I Saw’ is my favorite song of the year.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is very very good. And I hate musicals, but I love these songs. And it got really deep last season about mental health issues.
It got robbed big time!
I’m not a musicals person either, but the songs are so clever. The portrayal of people with bipolar and BPD, is spot on. So many of us can relate to these issues. I hope it gets more love in the future. Rachel Bloom is a treasure.
Crazy Ex Grirlfriend is much better than The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Killing Eve is the biggest snub to me. That show was way better than the nominated seasons GoT, Westworld and The Handmaid’s Tale. And speaking of Westworld, I really wish HBO would stop trying to make that show happen. I know people love it, but the writing is terrible.
The comedy categories are more interesting to me. I’m so glad to see the Glow nomination.
Completely agree.
Twin Peaks’s snub is not “reasonable.”
I was glad to see Glow too. I like Thandie and Evan on Westworld but I became bored with the show. I stopped watching. GOT season 7 was bad. The whole thing.
Killing Eve was robbed. I agree.
Magnoliarose this. People seem to love Westworld, I stopped watching it. Season 1 was nice but season 2 is atrocious. I know, different strokes but how can we pretend it’s amazing tv?
Niche or not, Kyle MacLachlan’s performance was extraordinary.
Twin Peaks last year and The Americans this year were peak in terms of quality.
The ending of The Americans KILLED ME. Honestly…would death had been better? It would be interesting just to see how they navigate from there.
I had to play catch up with that show but I liked it a lot. It was perfect for the times we live in.
I was left wanting a sequel series. Kerry was phenomenal in her role and showed herself to be an underused actress. Her portrayal of her character was fascinating to me.
I watched the last episode on my iPad pacing around a hotel room in Paris. Cried for half the episode. So grateful it wasn’t a blood bath. But I needed to see Martha one last time, needed to know if Stan’s wife was KGB, that Oleg would be released or exchanged in a few years and DID THEY GET TO SEE THEIR KIDS AGAIN?! Hopefully when Soviet Union fell, they could come and see parents if they so desired…
I think “Insecure” got snubbed too. Amazing show with great writing. LOVE Issa and can’t wait for the new season. I hope she gets her well deserved nomination next year.
“because white folks” argument is kind of lame, all of these shows are stellar, especially Silicon Valley. Atlanta isn’t that funny or well written.
Love Insecure too! SV was waaay stronger in 2017 than 2018, but these nominations would be for 2017, right?
It would be tough for me to choose between Insecure/SV as a voter, which makes it even crazier Insecure wasn’t nominated. Definitely think both beat out GLOW and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, although I enjoyed both of those a lot.
Atlanta is 100x better than Insecure. It’s funnier. It’s better written. It’s more inventive. Not even close.
“Atlanta” is by far the best show on television. I thought the first season was great, but the second season was mind-blowing good. It should win comedy and drama awards for writing, directing, and acting. Although, I’d be happy to see the drama awards go to “The Americans.” It’s been one of my favorite shows for years. It deserves the love. Brian Tyree Henry in “Atlanta” is unbelievable. It says something about a show when Donald Glover is only one of the best actors on the show.
Watched the first season of “This is Us” but couldn’t watch season 2 because it felt like I was being emotionally manipulated. And can we please be over “The Good Place.” Ugh. Thank goodness the Emmy voters had enough good sense not to vote that show for best comedy. Totally overrated.
Atlanta deserves all the awards.
Sandra Oh was born and brought up in Canada. She is Asian-Canadian.
I was about to write that!
Thanks for giving the shout out.
Us ethnic Canadians deserve to be recognized.
Even in academic journals there is a tendency to ‘disappear’ all ethnic groups into some form of hyphenated Americans.
I’m sure you know that there is a long and sometimes very tragic history of Chinese and Japanese immigrants in Canada.
Interesting.
Nothing at all for AMC’s The Terror, it’s a great shame. The DVD is out August 21, I will be buying so I can treasure the moments. <3
oh my god. The Terror was AMAZING. I recommend it to everyone. Gripping, desolate, so good. The acting was fantastic, by everyone in it. Not one weak link.
drea, you are right! So much fine work, so much talent and loving attention to detail, so many great performances … the total lack of Emmy acknowledgement was a BIG disappointment. I believe critics in the future will realize what an underrated classic it is. 🙂
The acting was outstanding. That was such a great series, but so intense that I don’t know if I can do a re-watch.
Thanks for reminding me of this show – I read about it at one point, but it fell off my radar – and making a recommendation. I will probably blind buy the DVD/Blu. I love isolated icey stories and this setup and the cast sound great! Some shows that are really good just seem to not register with the Emmys at all, happens every year. Personally over the last few months I especially loved Mindhunter and Manhunt: Unabomber. Nada for either of them.
The Networks should be worried. Netflix and others are dominating. The only snub (I hate that term really) but Killing Eve should have been there. Maybe next year.
@Pban. Netflix. Right? Am I the only one to see “Godless.” Amazing almost all female cast in a Western fighting off the bad guys. Fabulous. Fabulous. Fabulous acting. I cannot remember the actress’s name that was on The Walking Dead who got shot in the eye (Tara’s gf) and also Nurse Jackie…but she is so great in Godless. Must watch. Please.
Actually, Downton never won best drama. Atlanta and Donald Glover won comedy and actor and I think writing last year. And the Crown hasn’t won drama either. Usually the emmys are pretty predictable but your argument on those account don’t hold water.
Did the boy who plays young Patrick Melrose get one? Sometimes it hurts to watch his scenes.
The Good Place is one of the few network shows I enjoy. Thrilled that Ted Danson was recognized, because he is fabulous in it.
I still love This Is Us and I am sad none of the ladies were nominated. So happy for Issa tho!
Happy for Issa and Sandra!
You’re right that the right actors rom GOT got nominated. I think all 3 Lannisters consistently give the best performances even when the material is lacking. Now that i think about it, even their awful dad was fantastic.
Charles Dance is a versatile actor. He is good in everything he is in and he plays some great villains on British TV. Casting him as Tywin was perfect.
Jewel in Crown Dance was the best. 💕
Congratulations Miss Rae.
The Terror was a great show and got nothing. That surprised the heck out of me. I was sure it’d get at least a music nomination.
I liked Ricky Martin in Versace, but I would have nominated Tobias Menzies or Adam Nagaitis (Hickey) from The Terror over him.
And Jared Harris for Lead actor in a miniseries for sure.
Darn it.
Sally, absolutely! I would have loved to see Jared Harris nominated as best lead actor, and Tobias Menzies/Ian Hart/Adam Nagaitis/Paul Ready/etc., as best supporting actors. Adam Nagaitis is going to become a MAJOR star, I’m already looking forward to seeing him reunited with Jared Harris next year in Chernobyl on HBO! 😀
I hope Godless wins over Patrick Melrose. That was a terrific series. Everyone should check it out if they can!
Indeed. It did not get the love it deserves!
I loved it too. The last episode was intense! It is something I plan to rewatch one day.
I enjoyed it, but was more than a little bitter about how the male drama completely superseded the fascinating women-led town, which became more of a backdrop. I wanted much more of them!
The women were fantastic. The last episode… I was nervous the entire time! LOVED Michelle Dockery and Merritt Wever!
Actually the sinner was pretty good. It felt a little bit like true detective. The real snub was Mindhunter. That series was freaking brilliant. But I’m glad they nominated Cameron Britton
I also liked the Sinner and as a big “not a fan” of Jessica Biel I would actually find it pretty OK if she would get some award for it. She was really good!
I really loved The Sinner and I am a Jessica Biel hater. I cannot get over that interview where she claimed she was too beautiful and that’s why producers passed her over for roles. But she was fantastic and I am so glad she is getting into producing.
I avoided it because I can’t stand her and she is usually so mediocre. I stopped calling her Mrs Timberlake so I guess that is progress.
Maybe I will watch it after all since it seems she got good reviews.
She was decent in the role, but I still think the part lacked character development. The plot was interesting, with a nice twist at the end, but I just never found her character that compelling. Not sure if it was an acting or charisma issue for me. Very excited that Carrie Coon will star in the next season!
Mindhunter is so good!
Don’t forget about Dame Diana Rigg’s nomination for best guest actress in GOT. She killed it as Olenna Tyrell.
“Tell Cersei it was me, i want her to know”, was such a perfect last line for that character.
Oh, I hope she wins.
Love her. She’s played in some classic British TV for decades but hasn’t gotten the attention stateside she deserves. Finally.
I think billions was robbed- best show ever!
SO many shows I have not even seen. I’ve been mildly interested in Patrick Melrose and now I feel like Killing Eve should go on my list as well!
Black-ish is one of the greatest comedies out there!! All actors are simply stellar in there. I’m rooting for it to win!
the first genius: albert einstein season should have been nominated. Geoffrey Rush was phenomenal.
I KNOW my life right now is insane, chaotic, stressful…I’m having a gastric bypass in a couple of weeks, & I’m in the process of handing over a fun but stressful volunteer job.
Also, my sweet & amazing husband of 34+ years was diagnosed over a year ago with severe mental illness, he’s only 62 but reminds me of my 80 yo grandfather suffering from Alzheimers.
AND MY 22 YO SWEET BEAUTIFUL BOY KITTY LEO PASSED AWAY IN JUNE…
Even with ALL of that going on, I cannot believe that “Curb” was on & I had NO fk’n clue! Was it really on? I thought LD was still mulling it over. YIKES!
I hope Bill Hader & “Barry” win, but man, it’s so not a comedy. And BH’s performance is 5% comedy, 95% drama. I wish there was a category for these hybrid shows, but that would unnecessarily complicate things.
Happy Friday CBr’s 2💕
I won’t post a spoiler but on Curb the episode where a disguise was involved had my father and I slapping each other laughing.
Good luck with your surgery. *fingers crosses*
I am sorry for your difficult times and the loss of your kitty baby. It hurts I know. I miss mine from years ago still.
While you are recovering watch Curb and at least laugh. Not too hard of course.
🙂
Thanks so much, Magnolia Rose!
I’ll definitely have to wait to watch ‘Curb’ until after a few weeks. Just your description of how your dad and you reacted to a disguise made me giggle from my stomach.
It’s almost criminal to see It’s Always Sunny snubbed again. Way funnier than Curb or Silicon Valley for example.
Sandra Oh is CANADIAN!
Yeah, I commented on that earlier. Why can we not get a correction. Born in Canada, raised in Canada, first plied her craft in Canada.
Godless WAS SO GOOD. I don’t normally get into Westerns, but I made a huge exception for that. I was still thinking about it weeks after I finished watching it.
I loooove The Crown, but the 2nd season was not great. It was a long, drawn-out fight between Liz and Philip. The only highlight for me was Matthew Goode.
Sandra Oh was amazing on Grey’s Anatomy. I have missed her ever since her exit. I haven’t seen the new show, but I’m so happy for her!
Curb Your Enthusiasm is still on? I thought it ended years ago.
I didn’t even know Curb Your Enthusiasm had come back on. I looked into it and came across an interesting article about the latest season https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/oct/29/curb-your-enthusiasm-america-appeal