Emmy Watch: Contenders for "Limited Series"
Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 9:18AM 
We’re turning today to a new category of Emmy races: limited series and TV movies. Limited series is an entirely different ballgame, though changing rules and eligibility make this category just as fascinating as any. For instance, Big Little Lies, which won this prize three years ago, is now a potential contender for Best Drama Series. A number of shows featuring different storylines and characters each season, including American Crime Story, Fargo, and Genius, continue to be nominated, though all three of their latest iterations won’t premiere until after this season ends as a result of delays in filming and postproduction. American Horror Story earned four bids here before its eighth season got reclassified as a regular series with overarching threads. With no high-profile returning shows eligible this year, we have a whole slew of new contenders…
The past four years:
Two of the likeliest frontrunners come from Hulu, which interestingly has yet to have a show nominated in this category. Mrs. America, starring Cate Blanchett and a staggering number of possible supporting actress nominees, is a lock. Little Fires Everywhere, produced by and starring powerhouse actresses Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, should be safe even if audiences don’t love it all that much. Though it premiered very early in the season Netflix’s Unbelievable is a guaranteed player in this race. HBO’s I Know This Much Is True, starring Mark Ruffalo and premiering this Friday, has earned fine reviews and should get in without a problem.
Vying for the fifth slot are a number of series with questionable support...
The Golden Globes honored Showtime’s The Loudest Voice with a series nomination and an acting prize for Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Roger Ailes, and I would personally be thrilled to see it included in this race (though it could suffer the same fate as Bombshell did at the Oscars and end up relegated to acting and makeup prizes). I also enjoyed HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher, with Kathryn Hahn, and it’s not smart to discount Emmy affection for regal presentations like HBO’s Catherine the Great with Helen Mirren. Another HBO production, The Plot Against America, just recently aired and checks a lot of boxes for what Emmy voters tend to like. Quiz, which doesn’t premiere on AMC until May 31st, also features an Emmy-friendly storyline and may get a boost from its last-minute debut. The Eddy, from Netflix, drops this week and could earn a place here. Other moderate possibilities include Hulu’s Devs and Normal People, Epix’s Belgravia, Apple TV Plus’ Defending Jacob, and HBO’s Years and Years.
Ryan Murphy’s latest effort, Hollywood, from Netflix, hasn’t received the best reviews, but it does have its fans. It’s also worth noting that last year was the first time since 2012 that Murphy didn’t produce a nominee in this category. Period pieces have a certain appeal, and even if the narrative isn’t so enticing to some, it will definitely garner a good deal of votes. For another eclectic choice, AMC’s Dispatches from Elsewhere could be a fun inclusion, though it’s really not all that likely.
There’s been a swell of buzz recently for Netflix’s Yiddish-language series Unorthodox and its superb star Shira Haas. I would be thrilled if it showed up, but I’m just not sure all voters will find it substantially accessible. I’d be equally amazed if HBO’s Hebrew and Arabic production Our Boys, which was excellent, managed to earn a nomination alongside a slate of English-language shows.
And then there’s Watchmen, which so many agree was one of the best things on TV this season. While Lost proved Emmy-friendly, his astonishing follow-up, The Leftovers, barely earned any love from voters. Star Regina King is a shoo-in for a nomination because of her Emmy history, but I worry that the series might be ignored because it’s just too genre-heavy. Let’s hope not.
So, where does that leave us? Most of this category should be solid, but there are a few interesting choices that might bump one of the seeming sure things. It would be great to see some creativity here.
Predictions
- I Know This Much is True
- Little Fires Everywhere
- Mrs America
- Unbelievable
- Watchmen
Which series do you think will make the cut?
There are a lot of possible combinations of nominees this season. (Stay tuned for more Emmy coverage)
ALL DISCUSSIONS THUS FAR
Reader Comments (23)
Shows like Killing Eve and Game of Thrones prove they no longer have an issue showering genre fare with Emmy love. Watchmen should be fine. I think The Leftovers, brilliant though it was, didn’t get any traction because it wasn’t a consensus favorite.
I see no reason why Watchmen wouldn't be a frontrunner. Genre bias at the Emmys is a thing of the past. It's definitely a strong year for this category. Fingers crossed that 'The Plot Against America' gets in. It's excellent.
It's quite impossible to match last season in terms of quality.
It may be kind of a long shot at this point but I really hope "Belgravia" makes it in.
Devs and Dispatches from Elsewhere are interesting, but very niche. I wouldn't count out Normal People; UK critics LOVED this, US critics are mixed.
Mrs. America gets on my nerves. I WANT to like it, but something about (and I know this is sacrilege on this site) Cate Blanchett's performance bothers me. Maybe it's the script? It's also not Rose Byrne's finest outing.
Little Fires Everywhere was good, in the way that the novel was like a high-end beach read, perfectly entertaining, but not stellar drama. Reese and Kerry were good, but I was more impressed with the five young actors who play their children.
I've seen Quiz and Belgravia, and I doubt either will make the cut. My wishes for Limited Series on the ones I've seen are:
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen
Plot Against America
Feel Good (not sure if this is a series or a limited series; does Comedy have it's own Limited Series category? Either way, I freaking loved this show.)
Mrs America is the best thing on TV now
I will not even remotely care about the Emmys this year if UNORTHODOX isnt nominated in several categories.
@Fadhil
Maybe it's me, but it feels like no one cares about Mrs America or seems to be watching it. It got good reviews and is supposedly an Awards contender, but the lack of watercooler buzz around this show is deafening. Considered we are in Lockdown and everyone has all the time in the world to watch new shows, that has to be concerning.
Maybe the whole exercise feels more like homework or a history lesson to people. Like they are supposed to admire it because it's based on real people and about feminism. But you can tell when shows are really being talked about. Little Fires Everywhere felt like it was generating conversation week after week.
I echo what Pam said. I WANT to like it, but can't really put my finger on why I can't get into it as well. Cate Blanchett is already being madly overrated in it as well, another thinh I agree with Pam on.
I think Mrs America is a good show, but there is so much history and context that the characters are left behind. Blacnhett is fine doing what she usually does, and Rose Byrne is doing her best impression of Julianne Moore. I loved Years and Years, but it was released like ages ago. The same about The Loudest Voice, much better than Bombshell. I also loved Unbelievable. I'm just starting Little Fires Everywhere, which is good, but it's not Big Little Lies (the two shows have a lot of similarities). Anyway, it's great that some many shows are about women, so I'm just happy with that.
Any chance for Devs? Surpise nomination?
This category still feels really packed.
I think the youthfulness of Unorthodox could hurt it. However, I think the Emmy for Lead Actress will be between Cate and Shira, as much as I'd love Zoe Kazan to be a contender.
I think Watchmen will make it in. It was a cultural moment and had strong resonant themes about race. If they send out the episode that takes place in the 40s as a screener, it's hard to see it be overlooked.
I think I Know This Much is True and Little Fires Everywhere are on the shakiest ground. It's easy to see those shows being rewarded with acting noms.
Fingers crossed for The Outsider. Such a thrilling and great limited series. Every episode was top notch except for the finale.
Looks like there is no love for it at all
I can’t get into Mrs. America either. Cate, whom I usually admire, is off-putting in a way that doesn’t feel intentional. I see what she (and the writers) are going for; it just doesn’t work for me. Also, Rose Byrne is saddled with a wig that steals all of her scenes right from under (or over) her. Someone said it makes her look like Cousin Itt and now I can’t unsee it(t).
On a slightly more positive note, I enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere for what it was. I also didn’t mind Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood, but that’s entirely due to the chemistry between the actors. The revisionism is frustrating. I wish he wasn’t such a lazy writer. He appears to have never seen a Rock Hudson performance or interview, for one. And I honestly can’t tell when he’s failed to do the necessary research or is taking creative liberties (the Hattie McDaniel stuff, for instance).
@Pam Netflix hasn't announced its category placements yet so it's not clear where Feel Good will compete.
@Manuel HBO also hasn't announced but it seems like The Outsider will be competing in Best Drama Series rather than here.
@sarah
I feel your calling out Mrs. America is justified.
I watched the first hour. I admired the talent involved but chose not to watch anymore. I lived through the era of Anita Bryant and Phyllis Schlafly. The idea of reliving the harm of Schlafly's conservative agenda is repulsive, particularly now that my life is upended by the gross incompetence of Donald Trump and his ilk.
Hard pass.
I agree, Fadhil - Mrs. America is so good, it's not even in the same category as these other shows. It probably isn't generating a whole lot of "watercooler buzz," but then again, in a world where "Tiger King" is the spring sensation, that's to be expected.
The Plot Against America, though, is very good as well. I will be surprised if it doesn't make the line-up.
Does the new Penny Dreadful count as a continuing series or limited series? If limited Natalie Dormer has a chance of getting nominated.
@Tom G. Showtime is submitting it in Drama Series
I hope Unorthodox makes it. Another historical possibility: Netflix's Self-Made, about Madame C.J. Walker (starring Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood and Tiffany Haddish).
@Nathaniel, I share 100% your opinion about Unorthodox.
Honestly, I cant understand how its possible that Shira Has is not a complete lock for at least a nomination, and the production itself for best miniseries.
Costume and supporting actor should also be a must.
Mrs. America is a terrific show. As someone who is not familiar with the feminist movement, I find the show quite an eye-opener. I actually had little interest to watch this show, but lo and behold, I was surprisingly hooked from the very first episode. It’s very well-made and it has very strong performances. Cate Blanchett is brilliant, a truly loathsome villain, and so are Uzo Aduba, Melanie Lynskey, Tracey Ullmann, Jeanne Triplehorn, and Sarah Paulson. What a powerful ensemble.
Last year’s nominee slate in this category is all-time best and may never be topped.
Critics are in love with Mrs. America so I don't see how it misses, even if audience appreciation seems to be muted (however, it's kind of hard to tell in these times, since everyone seems to be watching everything and nothing at the same time). I feel like Lead Actress will be a tight battle between Cate and Regina King.
I haven't yet seen Unorthodox yet, but it's on my list. If Unbelievable misses, it will be a crime. That was the most riveting series I saw on TV in 2019. I hope all three actresses are nominated.
I have the sneaking suspicion Hollywood will sneak in. Gag.