Critics Choice TV Nominees Are Here
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:00PM 
Right in the middle of seemingly thousands of critics’ prizes for film work, today we got the TV nominations for the Critics Choice Association, nearly three weeks ahead of their corresponding film lists. It’s the first major mid-year opportunity to see what television may still be in the conversation from the Emmys and what new series have been strongly received. There’s plenty to say about this list that isn’t entirely consistent, nominating certain performers from some shows while questionably ignoring their costars. It’s also worth noting that not a single one of the comedy or drama winners from last year were eligible this time around, though that’s just as much about series that ended (Fleabag, Watchmen) as shows that have yet to premiere their latest seasons (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession).
For the second year in a row, Schitt’s Creek is nominated in all five eligible categories, and it’s joined this time around by three drama series in pulling off that same feat – nominations leaders The Crown and Ozark (each with six total bids due to a second cited performer in one of the categories) and new series Lovecraft Country. The best residual breakthrough from the Emmys appears to be What We Do in the Shadows, which scored four acting bids, for all except my favorite series regular, Kayvan Novak. I’m particularly pleased that a slew of actors who missed out on Emmy nods, like Josh O’Connor, Tobias Menzies, Bob Odenkirk, Tom Pelphrey, Janet McTeer, Nicholas Hoult, and most importantly, Daisy Edgar-Jones, did manage to score here. Read on for the full list of nominees, with some more commentary by category...
BEST DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Good Fight (CBS All Access)
Lovecraft Country (HBO)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Ozark (Netflix)
Perry Mason (HBO)
This Is Us (NBC)
It’s interesting to note this group’s support of The Good Fight, nominating it for the third year in a row here. It’s only ever received two bids at the Emmys, both for music. The Mandalorian is a new nominee this year despite being eligible last year (this is its only bid), and the two freshman representatives are Lovecraft Country and Perry Mason.
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman – Ozark (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us (NBC)
Jonathan Majors – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
Josh O’Connor – The Crown (Netflix)
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul (AMC)
Matthew Rhys – Perry Mason (HBO)
This list is the most standard and expected one, ousting Paul Giamatti (Billions) and Freddie Highmore (The Good Doctor), and also Mike Colter (Evil), who I don’t think was eligible since his show only aired three episodes in 2020. Tobias Menzies moved to the supporting category, opening up his slot for costar O’Connor, who was front-and-center in season four.
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Christine Baranski – The Good Fight (CBS All Access)
Olivia Colman – The Crown (Netflix)
Emma Corrin – The Crown (Netflix)
Claire Danes – Homeland (Showtime)
Laura Linney – Ozark (Netflix)
Jurnee Smollett – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
I had to double-check because I was almost positive that Homeland wrapped its final season back in 2019, but it turns out it was 2020. This is only the third nomination for Danes after citations for seasons one and two, which in my opinion coincide with when the show was actually worthy of accolades. I’ll be curious to see if enthusiasm for Corrin’s portrayal of Princess Diana can eclipse the general awards energy that Colman has. Glad to see Smollett here!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jonathan Banks – Better Call Saul (AMC)
Justin Hartley – This Is Us (NBC)
John Lithgow – Perry Mason (HBO)
Tobias Menzies – The Crown (Netflix)
Tom Pelphrey – Ozark (Netflix)
Michael K. Williams – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
This is the third consecutive nomination for Hartley, who remains the only nuclear Pearson family member never to be nominated for an Emmy. His performance really is strong, and it’s nice to see one group honoring him. The same goes for Pelphrey, who missed out on an Emmy bid despite Emmy love for his show. Emmy voters chose Giancarlo Esposito for Better Call Saul over their typical mainstay Banks, whose last nomination was in 2015. It’s also great to see Williams cited since he wasn’t a sure thing at all and is, as usual, excellent.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Gillian Anderson – The Crown (Netflix)
Cynthia Erivo – The Outsider (HBO)
Julia Garner – Ozark (Netflix)
Janet McTeer – Ozark (Netflix)
Wunmi Mosaku – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
Rhea Seehorn – Better Call Saul (AMC)
What a delight to see Mosaku included! Anyone who watches her show knows that she’s one of its best assets. I’m also pleased to see McTeer, who didn’t make the cut with Emmy, as well as Seehorn, who earns her second (non-consecutive) bid here. With Emma Corrin promoted to lead and a nominee from last year, Helena Bonham Carter, left off the list, Anderson may have an easy path to victory here without any internal competition. Erivo is her show’s only mention.
BEST COMEDY SERIES
Better Things (FX)
The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
Mom (CBS)
PEN15 (Hulu)
Ramy (Hulu)
Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Where, you may ask, is The Great? I’m not sure either, but there’s still reason to be happy with this list. I love Ted Lasso, and I’m also excited about the other new show included here, The Flight Attendant. This is the first-ever nomination in this category for Better Things, which was indeed one of the better things on TV in 2020. I’m thrilled that Ramy made the cut, and it’s interesting to see repeat nominees Mom and PEN15, which have spottier Emmy track records (the latter still has a shot since it’s only on season two). Can any of these series beat Schitt’s Creek?
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Hank Azaria – Brockmire (IFC)
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Nicholas Hoult – The Great (Hulu)
Eugene Levy – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Ramy Youssef – Ramy (Hulu)
I like this list a lot, and I’m glad to see Hoult in the right category after his supporting Emmy snub. It’s also nice to have Azaria, who was nominated for his show’s first two seasons, back for its swan song, in which he did a terrific job. Hooray for Sudeikis – what a wonderful show that is.
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Pamela Adlon – Better Things (FX)
Christina Applegate – Dead to Me (Netflix)
Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
Natasia Demetriou – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Catherine O’Hara – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Issa Rae – Insecure (HBO)
Applegate and Rae made it in even though their shows didn’t, but where is Linda Cardellini, one of the best parts of her show’s second season? I’m sure that What We Do in the Shadows fans are excited for Demetriou and I’m very happy about Cuoco.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
William Fichtner – Mom (CBS)
Harvey Guillén – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Daniel Levy – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Alex Newell – Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC)
Mark Proksch – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Andrew Rannells – Black Monday (Showtime)
It’s always curious to see performers score as the only mentions for shows that might have been expected elsewhere. Newell is one such example, and while Rannells was terrific in his show’s second season, I would definitely classify him as a lead. I don’t watch Mom but I do like Fitchner!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Lecy Goranson – The Conners (ABC)
Rita Moreno – One Day at a Time (Pop)
Annie Murphy – Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Ashley Park – Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Jaime Pressly – Mom (CBS)
Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
I stopped watching The Conners last year but I did like what Goranson was doing. I know Park from her Tony-nominated role in Mean Girls, and I liked her in the pilot of Emily in Paris, which is as far as I got with that show. I would have loved to see Juno Temple from Ted Lasso, but Waddingham is a great choice too.
BEST LIMITED SERIES
I May Destroy You (HBO)
Mrs. America (FX)
Normal People (Hulu)
The Plot Against America (HBO)
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Small Axe (Amazon Studios)
The Undoing (HBO)
Unorthodox (Netflix)
Who’s happy that Normal People is here? I know I am. The Plot Against America didn’t do much at the Emmys but showed up in a big way here with four nominations. We also have Small Axe, which has been winning a number of film critics’ prizes, and I think I’m at least more comfortable with it being called a limited series than a single movie, even if it’s really a series of movies. Oh, well.
BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Bad Education (HBO)
Between the World and Me (HBO)
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (Lifetime)
Hamilton (Disney+)
Sylvie’s Love (Amazon Studios)
What the Constitution Means to Me (Amazon Studios)
There’s no set standard for what’s eligible where, as Hamilton will be competing as a film at the Golden Globes, but at least this list is creative. I’m most pleased to see Sylvie’s Love since it’s a beautiful production with great performances that is going to be relegated to the TV movie categories instead of getting a shot at Oscar. After a disappointing showing at the Emmys, Bad Education is here with just this one nomination.
BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
John Boyega – Small Axe (Amazon Studios)
Hugh Grant – The Undoing (HBO)
Paul Mescal – Normal People (Hulu)
Chris Rock – Fargo (FX)
Mark Ruffalo – I Know This Much is True (HBO)
Morgan Spector – The Plot Against America (HBO)
I’m happiest about Spector being included since he’s really an underrated actor who deserves recognition for his strong handling of his role. Let’s celebrate another chance at a trophy for Mescal!
BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Cate Blanchett – Mrs. America (FX)
Michaela Coel – I May Destroy You (HBO)
Daisy Edgar-Jones – Normal People (Hulu)
Shira Haas – Unorthodox (Netflix)
Anya Taylor-Joy – The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Tessa Thompson – Sylvie’s Love (Amazon Studios)
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Edgar-Jones’ name on this list. I hadn’t watched Normal People by the time Emmy nominations were announced, so I couldn’t be outraged about her snub then, but at least she’s here now. This is a great list, and I’m glad that Thompson is here along with expected (and superb) nominees like Haas and Taylor-Joy. Intriguingly, despite costars Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland making the cut, Nicole Kidman, who was cited for Big Little Lies last year, missed out.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Daveed Diggs – The Good Lord Bird (Showtime)
Joshua Caleb Johnson – The Good Lord Bird (Showtime)
Dylan McDermott – Hollywood (Netflix)
Donald Sutherland – The Undoing (HBO)
Glynn Turman – Fargo (FX)
John Turturro – The Plot Against America (HBO)
I couldn’t get past episode one of The Good Lord Bird, but it’s good to see actors nominated even when their lead stars or series aren’t. The same goes for McDermott, a worthy representative of his show. Turman is a formidable choice – let’s get him an Oscar nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom while we’re at it, shall we?
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Uzo Aduba – Mrs. America (FX)
Betsy Brandt – Soulmates (AMC)
Marielle Heller – The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Margo Martindale – Mrs. America (FX)
Winona Ryder – The Plot Against America (HBO)
Tracey Ullman – Mrs. America (FX)
This group chose the same three women from Mrs. America as Emmy voters did. Brandt is an interesting pick from Soulmates, which I hadn’t even thought of as eligible here even though its anthology format does support that placement. Heller was so wonderful in The Queen’s Gambit. But where's Jessie Buckley for Fargo?
BEST TALK SHOW
Desus & Mero (Showtime)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
The Kelly Clarkson Show (NBC/Syndicated)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)
BEST COMEDY SPECIAL
Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty (Netflix)
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (Netflix)
Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (Netflix)
Marc Maron: End Times Fun (Netflix)
Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia (Netflix)
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything (Netflix)
BEST SHORT FORM SERIES
The Andy Cohen Diaries (Quibi)
Better Call Saul: Ethics Training with Kim Wexler (AMC/Youtube)
Mapleworth Murders (Quibi)
Nikki Fre$h (Quibi)
Reno 911! (Quibi)
Tooning Out the News (CBS All Access)
Who or what are you happiest to see nominated?
Reader Comments (32)
The Plot Against America’s Zoe Kazan deserved a nom here (and at Emmy) for that heartbreaking phone call to the kid in Kentucky who’s parents had just been killed and had nowhere to hide.
Rosie Perez should not only be nominated but win Comedy Supporting Actress, and this from a card-carrying Annie Murphy worshipper. It's a horrible oversight.
Kayvan Novak, Helena Bonham Cater and Sarah Paulson should be among the nominees, but if I May Destroy You wins both awards it's up for, all is forgiven.
I think it’s so funny that they’re waiting til after the Globes and SAG announce their nominations before they announce theirs for Film. They don’t have to do their guessing game cheating off GoldDerby this year!
Much better than the film awards. Can say that now because they are always dreadful. Go Rhea Seehorn. Surprised Waddingham got in over Temple too.
I really feel like Rose Byrne is MRS AMERICA's MVP and it's sad she hasn't been appreciated. She's really a co-lead, which may have been the problem. Nobody wanted to commit category fraud, but she wasn't really considered as central as Blanchett. I'm glad Ullman made it in. She really did something speical with her portrayal of Betty Friedan--right on the line of comic stereotype, with all the fun that can be for a viewer, and yet totally believable. It's rare to pull that off.
Most painful omission
Noma Dumezweni as defense attorney Haley Fitzgerald in The Undoing
Jumping for joy on Nicholas Hoult nomination. Give him everything!
I’m annoyed at the continued focus on the same three supporting actresses from Mrs. America. Paulson, Byrne, and Graynor are just as deserving, and I wouldn’t even mind a mention for Banks or Lynskey or Nash either. I hope they win the SAG.
Odenkirk, Seehorn and Banks were at their peak in the last 3 episodes of season 5 so there's a relief they were nominated this time.
Spotless. I only miss Search Party.
YES THE GOOD FIGHT
Give that show and CHRISTINE BARANSKI all the awards
The same usual suspects. Two of my favorite acting performances of last year are missing: Yvonne Strahovski (Stateless) and Sophie Okonedo (Ratched).
I don't get the adoration for Mescal,let's see what else he can do first,lovely to see Winona Ryder in the mix.
It's time for people to stop playing Thatcher.
Claire Danes was actually solid in the latest season of Homeland. I only watched the series during the early months of lockdown and for me this last season was strong especially the last episode of the season where we see Carrie so very different from what she was in previous seasons. That horrific last scene may have clinched her nomination and I am on board with that.
Love the love for Normal People which I saw around June last year. Paul Mescal is poised to become a major star and you can see why from his work here but for me the heart and soul and feet and eyes and ... other parts of this beautiful drama series belong to Daisy Edgar-Jones' Marianne. She absorbs everything -- the pitfalls, trials, rare moments of levity -- and her eyes, gesture and stance convey those subtle changes quite effectively. I hope she and Mescal get challenging roles equal to their enormous talents.
Tom Pelphrey and Laura Linney better win in their respective categories.
"It's time for people to stop playing Thatcher."
markgordonuk, I fear they're just in the beginning. That movie with Meryl Streep opened the Pandora's box.
So this is going to be another year of the big groups refusing to nominate Ethan Hawke for an award he deserves to win, huh?
It seems odd that Zoe Kazan isn't here. With the Emmys, it was clear the show was overlooked, but here voters clearly liked it. She got strong reviews to, so it's a surprising miss.
With Watchmen out of the way, it will be interesting to see if Cate Blanchett is able to take home this award for her great work. I think it will come down to her, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Michaela Coel.
The drama nominations look good. I'm really happy to see The Good Fight and Baranski here again. Baranski, in particular, had a strong showing during her show's truncated season.
However, while Josh O'Connor's placement feels right, Emma Corrin's feels wrong. She was a prominent player this year, but she wasn't the lead of the show. O'Connor, on the other hand, really helped the show grow into its title as "The Crown."
The supporting actress in a comedy series category feels inspired. I can't say I'm familar with many of the performances, but it's clear these voters are willing to do what most award shows don't: look past the shows that are in the "Best" category and nominate performers doing good work no matter the quality of the show.
Chris Rock included over Ethan Hawke is..... a choice.
YES, Vampires, Normal People, and Alex Newell! This is a better overall list than the Emmys!
Chris Rock is very bad in Fargo, yes.
Yay for Daisy Edgar-Jones and the love for The Plot Against America.
Boo for no Ethan Hawke. I can understand The Good Lord Bird wasn't for everyone, but he was sensational in it.
That limited series category is stacked. I for one am very happy that we're living in a golden age of miniseries/limited series, as they're my preferred format for TV.
Lecy Goranson hasn't done much outside Roseanne/The Conners, but her Becky is tremendous.
Happiest for Nicholas Hoult.
Surprised Hugh Jackman missed.
So basically only two actors (Danes and Erivo) out of 24 were nominated from shows outside of their Best Drama nominees. How much TV are they watching?
This is such a better group of nominees than the Emmys. After those nominations were announced, I was thrilled with exactly two things--the astounding Paul Mescal and my beloved "Schitt's Creek."
Here, we have Baranski, Edgar Jones, Hoult, O'Connor, Anderson, and Gorenson...so much to cheer about. That's the way it always is. Tatiana Maslany, Carrie Coon, and "Schitt's Creek" were recognized by this group first. They actually do better on the movie side in general as well, with Christian Bale's "Vice" win a glaring exception.
I am joining with other fans of "The Good Fight" in a sigh of relief and celebration for some recognition of this awesome show and the wonderful Christine Baranski.
"Mrs.America" was spoiled for talent, I'm grateful at least 3 of it's actresses got a nomination, although I agree Rose Byrne was under-appreciated.
"The Good Lord Bird" was an exceptional piece of work, however it took me 2 tries to really get into it. (Ethan Hawke was brilliant, but in these terrible times I find myself going for comfort TV more often) There is just too much going on and too much to watch. Which is too bad for some shows and performers. I assume critics are as overwhelmed as I am.
The Good Fight is unbearable. I get it has been like therapy for Democrats but the show it's bad.
I loved The Good Fight when it started, but I doubt I'll reup my CBS Access subscription for it this year - like The Good Wife, it started strong and then spun harder and harder off the rails. (Just as with The Good Wife, the showrunners need to have characters flirt with running for office and the law firm will have to merge and un-merge repeatedly now. Forget it. Isn't exploring the cases that arise in a Black-owned law firm in Chicago interesting enough?)
Every writer at TFE loves Normal People, but I am really tired of seeing it lauded in every third piece here. I thought it was very boring , and I could only get through about 4 episodes. People get into different things.
I want more for PEN15 as per usual, but I'm just happy it's getting attention at all. I hope it's the kind of show that grows and soon the actresses can be recognized for their fantastic work as well.
Rooting for Michaela Coel and her show! PLEASE.
With all the hoopla over Schitt's Creek, I wish someone would acknowledge Emily Hampshire and Chris Elliott. Dan Levy's behind-the-scenes contributions are excellent, but as an actor, a little of him goes a long way, and sometimes there's just way too much of him.
Love the "What we do in the Shadows" love but time to vindicate the most laughs and fun I had on 2020:
Armando Iannucci's "Avenue 5" (HBO). It seems I am the only one that loves it?