Are the Emmys About to Ignore Some of TVs Best Dramas?
In Anatomy of a Category, Awards Insider breaks down the top contenders in the Emmys biggest races, ahead of July 13s nominations. In this entry, David Canfield and Chris Murphy discuss the main players in the drama-series categories, which will likely feature several past-their-prime returning dramas, despite the presence of some exciting newcomers. David Canfield: Chris, lets imagine were talking in a glumly scored, exceedingly dark scene, because its time to talk about drama! And what a weird year it is for a usually prestige-heavy category thats now starting to feel like a legitimized offshoot of the Critics Choice Super Awards. Weve got Star Wars and Marvel and whoever made The Boys comicfull disclosure, I am not an expert on thatin the mix for a category that used to be dominated by the likes of The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad. And despite so many of 2020s nomineesincluding Succession, Better Call Saul, and Stranger Thingstaking this year off due to COVID-induced delays, there arent many new shows expected to compete here. (Get ready for a Handmaids Tale resurgence, I guess?) For dramatic effect, feel free to stare silently for a few seconds before responding. Chris Murphy: *melodramatic sigh as I stare languidly past the camera into the middle distance* Yes, David, this years drama category at the Emmys seems more boring and ennui-inducing than usual. It feels like all the excitement usually reserved for this category has landed in the legitimately competitive and nail-biting limited-series race, and were left with a bunch of Star Wars/Marvel properties (also not my bag) and stalwart shows that either had surprisingly solid seasons (cheerio, The Crown) or feel like their best days are behind them (goodbye, This Is Us). Given the relative dearth of excitement to be found in this category, I want to advocate for a show that doesnt have a snowballs chance in hell of cracking the category, but I absolutely adored: HBOs Industry. From former financiers turned TV writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, it follows a group of recent college grads as they vie for jobs at a prestigious London bank. Industry seemingly came out of nowhere to fill the high-net-worth hole in my heart left by the absence of Succession with a healthy dash of kids behaving badly peppered in on top. Its kind of what the new Gossip Girl wants to be without any of the pressure of having to be the new Gossip Girl. The diverse ensemble cast of relative unknowns is impressively grounded and led by newcomer Myhala Herrold as Harper, the only working-class American trying to keep her head above water in an environment aggressively built to weed out weak links. The dynamic pilot episode directed by Lena Dunham (! ), of all people, has legitimately one of the most shocking, devastating moments on television of the year, and the show continued to raise the bar from there. Also not for nothing, its an original drama not based on any pre-existing IP (looking at you, The Mandalorian). It feels like HBO is already spread incredibly thin this awards season and wont give this freshman darling the FYC push it deserves, despite the fact that its already been renewed for season two. However, HBO recently announced that its other main entry in this category, Lovecraft Country, will not be renewed, so maybe some of the energy behind that campaign will be thrown behind Harpers incredibly capable (and overworked) shoulders. Canfield: Industry is one I have to catch up ongood sell, Chris!but it gets at a larger point about this Emmy race and who gets invited to the party. I worry about new, smaller dramas just not having the visibility to overtake even a Marvel show that most critics found lacking by the end. (Yet another great HBO debut bound to be ignored here: Luca Guadagninos We Are Who We Are.) Ill stump for Starzs vivid P-Valley, which features gorgeous, juicy dialogue from creator Katori Hall and one particularly brilliant performance from Nico Annan as nonbinary strip-club owner Uncle Clifford (as great a role as it sounds). But Im not expecting much for it, sadly.