Nominations for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards are here on a television landscape that continues to change. Now, more than ever, streaming services challenge the classic networks, with FX on Hulu leading the charge. We go through the contenders and the trends of this year.
A Feast for the Eyes and a Frenzy in the Kitchen
Two mini-programs will outshine everyone else’s nominations for 2024: one being the epic historical drama entry called “Shogun,” while the other one represents a very bad-taste, frantic comedy called “The Bear.” Both receive a top billing, have gotten loud critical maxima, and look to be poised for a bruising contest in many divisions.
“Shogun”: A Return to Historical Grandeur
Fox’s reimagining of the classic James Clavell novel Shogun received the most nominations—25. The project zips viewers back to 17th century Japan, where the story follows John Blackthorne, an English sailor who is shipwrecked on the coast of Japan, as he must navigate through the dangerous political and cultural climate of the era.
Outstanding Drama Series
With past winners including “The Crown” and “Better Call Saul,” the competition will surely be tough. It could make a splash on the strength of its historical grandeur and compelling narrative.
The lead actors who play Japanese characters, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, have received Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series nominations. The performances for both actors will be very closely scrutinized, as those provided by seasoned American actors are not to be trifled with.
The series also got nominations for the categories of “Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series” and “Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series“, which again are indicative of the kind of merit this historical representation in film has within it.
Critical Reception and Awards Potential
“Shogun” has received overall good reviews, with the big praise handed out to the stunning cinematography, amazing world-building, and top-notch performances. On the downbeat side, people are worried about the ending, a faithful adaption to the source material, and a racehorse on the pacing of the plot. And “Shogun,” of course, will be massive potential drama to critical hooha, but whether that transmutes into guilds and eventually Emmy gold is, as yet, to be written in stone.
The Bear: A Culinary Triumph Redefines Comedy
FX’s “The Bear” might not have the historical grandeur of “Shogun,” but it has nevertheless staked out its own place in Emmy history with its unvarnished portrayal of life inside a Chicago sandwich shop. The critically acclaimed single-camera comedy reeled in a record-shattering 23 nominations in the above-the-line categories alone, topping all other comedy series to date. Here’s why “The Bear” stands out enough to receive that recognition from Emmy voters.
A New Twist on the Workplace Comedy
“The Bear” does not pull any punches in offering a gritty view of a kitchen that could easily be a pressure-cooker world. Life in the restaurant industry is shown in all its intensity and camaraderie.
The ensemble cast, led by Jeremy Allen White as stressed-out chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, brings some of the best acting performances to the small screen: raw and engaging. White, as the young chef who confronts personal demons while enforcing discipline in a difficult kitchen, is one of the top contenders for the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
“The Bear” can also be counted as one of the most technically excellent episodes produced to date. Nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Editing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Comedy Series continue to merge the audience into the show at a quick pace.
New records in terms of nominations and critical acclaim came for “The Bear” and have been able to change the grammar of the genre, which one would define as a comedy. Getting the Outstanding Comedy Series trophy is another issue, but it has undoubtedly affirmed itself and, by all means, an emerging and some force to reckon with.
Beyond the Frontrunners: A Diverse Landscape of Contenders
The big headlines might be going to “Shogun” and “The Bear,” but a number of other contenders in multiple fields offer promise for an exciting season that will lead into the awards:
Drama Series: Among dramas ready to show their final-season status are such perennial Emmy contenders as Netflix’s “The Crown” and AMC’s “Better Call Saul.” They’ll match themselves up against Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show” and Netflix’s “Slow Horses.”
Limited Series: Here, indeed, one comes across an unusually large and diverse range of contenders in the category: the true-crime drama series The Dropout (Hulu, starring Amanda Seyfried), the historical miniseries True Detective: Night Country (HBO), and the satirical Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Amazon Prime Video).