Which Limited Series Will Dominate Year-End Awards?
Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 5:00PM 
There are more limited series than ever before on the air, though that classification is in itself complicated because of all the anthology series that introduce new characters and storylines each season. As we approach year-end awards that will, unlike the Emmys, pull from both halves of 2020, which of the buzzy shows we talked about around Emmy time will still be in the running? What other offerings from the last few months will zoom ahead of them?
It’s worth remembering that the overall Emmy nominations leader this past season was a limited series, albeit not one that was considered as such at the end of 2019. Before its staggering 26-nomination haul at the Emmys, Watchmen competed as a drama series, landing four bids and two wins from the Critics Choice Association, a stunt ensemble nod from SAG, and absolutely nothing at the Golden Globes...
The Loudest Voice won Russell Crowe a Globe for his performance and also earned a series nomination with that group, plus SAG and Critics Choice mentions, before scoring a grand total of zero Emmy nominations. Unbelievable netted both of its lead actresses Globe nods and saw them both snubbed at the Emmys. The year before, When They See Us saw 11 Emmy bids and two wins translate to no Globe mentions at all.
From the 2019-2020 season, three of Emmy’s top picks will be eligible for any all-encompassing 2020 awards. Unorthodox rode a wave of enthusiasm to a higher-than-expected nomination total, plus a directing win, and so it’s likely to show up with most groups. The same goes for Mrs. America, though it’s anyone’s guess which assortment of supporting actresses will be included by each organization. From those two, Shira Haas and Cate Blanchett may battle it out for Best Actress trophies (Emmy winner Regina King will of course no longer be eligible since her series was in 2019).
Little Fires Everywhere didn’t perform as well as it could have, so it’s possible it could be forgotten. I think it’s fair to say that most of us at TFE are rooting for Normal People to show up in a big way, while I’d imagine most are NOT hoping for the same for Ryan Murphy's Hollywood. Any love for I Know This Much Is True aside from star Mark Ruffalo isn’t likely, but I suppose it could happen. It’s also worth mentioning The Plot Against America, which could feel more poignant right now than it did when it premiered, and Bad Education, which is of course a TV movie but could still place. Keep in mind that both Self Made and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend earned one acting nomination apiece from the Emmys and could factor into the race this time too, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Now, which shows from the second half of the year will join them?
There are two I would immediately name as frontrunners – The Queen’s Gambit and The Undoing. Even if, for some reason, neither of them break into the top category, it seems all but assured that stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicole Kidman will be feted, and Hugh Grant is likely to join them for the latter. Roadkill and Stateless have big names and could show up too. I’m not sure anyone wants to keep thinking about Trump but The Comey Rule is a possibility. As long as The Good Lord Bird and I May Destroy You are considered limited series, they stand a decent chance of earning bids. (Steve McQueen's Small Axe, consisting of five films, will be considered an anthology series rather than a limited series).
Though it was only nominated once for an acting prize by SAG, Fargo has contended each year for the top award at the Globes and Critics Choice awards. Its fourth season may not have been beloved, but it’s certainly no worse than the third, and is thus a likely repeat inclusion. I thought The Flight Attendant might have competed here, but its season two renewal on Friday answers that. There’s also a question of classification for other projects like We Are Who We Are and A Teacher, which, if they’re submitted as limited series, could be nominated. It’s also possible that we haven’t yet seen a limited series that could be released before extended eligibility windows close.
I'm rooting most for Normal People, though I also really liked Unorthodox and The Queen’s Gambit, though I doubt the latter two will need my enthusiasm to do well. What are your top choices, and what other shows am I underestimating?
Reader Comments (4)
Categories confuse me right now, but:
I May Destroy You
We Are Who We Are
The Third Day
The Plot Against America
The Queen's Gambit
Lots of good choices, but nothing comes close to I May Destroy You for my this year.
Little Fires Everywhere
The Queen’s Gambit
The Undoing
Unorthodox
are the limited series that dominated my watching during the pandemic.
The fifth would be The Flight Attendant, but it just was given a second season, putting it into another category.
Loads of good stuff, but I May Destroy You stands head and shoulders above everything else this year.