In a landmark year for FX, the network’s shows “The Bear” and “Shogun” have dominated the Emmy nominations with an unprecedented number of nods. “The Bear,” which has won critical acclaim for its portrayal of a team of sandwich makers striving to create an elite restaurant experience, has set a comedy-series record by netting 23 nominations. Meanwhile, “Shogun” leads all nominees with a staggering 25 nominations, placing FX firmly ahead of the pack with an overall total of 93 nods.
“The Bear” enters its second season with nominations for best comedy series and best actor in a comedy series for Jeremy Allen White, who previously secured a win in January’s strike-delayed ceremony. The series’ leading lady, Ayo Edebiri, is nominated for best actress in a comedy series after winning the best supporting actress in the previous Emmy session. The show’s success is further fortified by a slew of guest acting nominations, which include acting heavyweights Jamie Lee Curtis and Olivia Colman among its contenders.
Taking full advantage of the significant gap left by last year’s front-runners— “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us”— “Shogun” has taken over the drama categories. Based on James Clavell’s novel, the show is set in early 17th century Japan and delves into political machinations of the era. “Shogun” garnered nominations for best drama series, best actress in a drama series for Anna Sawai, and best actor for Hiroyuki Sanada. This significant reshuffling came after the show’s creators announced they would consider extending the narrative beyond Clavell’s novel, prompting a category switch from limited series to drama.
In the realm of limited series, a quasi-spin-off of the “True Detective” franchise took the spotlight with 19 nominations. The show features Jodie Foster as a police chief investigating mysterious deaths during the dark Alaskan winter, earning her a nomination for best actress in a limited series. Kali Reis, who plays her investigating partner and rival, is nominated for best supporting actress in a limited series, marking her and Lily Gladstone from “Under the Bridge” as the first indigenous women to receive Emmy acting nods.
Adding to the historic milestones, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from “Reservation Dogs” becomes the first indigenous actor nominated for best actor in a comedy series. Previously, the only indigenous acting nominee was August Schellenberg, nominated in 2007 for “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”
The competition among limited or anthology series is expected to be fierce. “True Detective” will likely face off against “Fargo,” which has 15 nominations, setting FX up for a potential triple crown if it clinches victories in drama, comedy, and limited series.
. Netflix, the network with the highest overall nominations totaling 107, also has strong contenders with “Baby Reindeer” and “Ripley”—the latter securing 13 nods, including for actors Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning.
This year’s Emmy nominations also see several Academy Award winners vying for television’s top honors. Jodie Foster joins Meryl Streep, nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy for “Only Murders in the Building”; Robert Downey Jr., for best supporting actor in a limited series with “The Sympathizer”; and Gary Oldman, for best actor in a drama series with “Slow Horses.” “Only Murders in the Building,” with 21 nominations, emerges as a strong comedy contender, featuring nods for Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez.
Veteran Emmy winners and frequent nominees are making a strong comeback. Jon Hamm, a past winner with 16 previous nominations mostly from “Mad Men,” nets two nominations this year—one for actor in a limited series for “Fargo” and another for supporting actor in a drama for “The Morning Show.” Jennifer Aniston, his co-star on “The Morning Show,” is a frontrunner for best drama actress, while Tony Shalhoub has a shot at his fifth Emmy for reprising his role in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.”
Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, former “Saturday Night Live” and “Bridesmaids” co-stars, each received nominations for best actress in a comedy for their respective Apple TV+ projects. Wiig’s nomination is for her role in “Palm Royale,” while Rudolph is recognized for “Loot.” Both actresses are also nominated for hosting “SNL.”
The upcoming Emmy ceremony, hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC on September 15, promises to be a night of tight competition and historic wins. Delightfully, the return of “The Crown” with 19 nominations and “Hacks” with 16 confirm their place as Emmy mainstays.
With “Abbott Elementary,” created by Quinta Brunson, continuing to champion diversity with another strong showing of Black acting nominees, the Emmys remain a pivotal platform for representation. As the awards draw near, the landscape is set for a memorable night celebrating television’s finest.
