The 2021 Emmy nominations are here, and one thing is for sure: Disney+ and Apple TV came to win. The two streamers scored massive wins, thanks to the former's WandaVision and The Mandalorian and the latter's Ted Lasso. The usual suspects all did well, as expected, confirming what most pundits have been predicting for some months now.
However, among the nominations are some very curious and, at times, bizarre surprises. All these shocks and snubs make for a more exciting awards season, even if they sometimes come at the expense of several other worthy shows.
Cobra Kai Makes The Jump To The Emmys
Netflix's Cobra Kai received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, entering the Emmys through the front door. The beloved streaming series, which focuses on the ongoing rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, 34 years after the events of The Karate Kid, moved to Netflix for its third season, and it paid off.
The show has some impressive competition, and it most likely won't win. However, the fact that it received the nomination speaks volumes, and it's yet another feather in the series' cap. Whatever happens, it's clear that this show has a bright future ahead.
Emily In Paris Gets In On Comedy, For Some Reason
A glaring inclusion in the Outstanding Comedy Series category is Emily in Paris. Darren Star's show, about a perky, positive young woman who moves to Paris, received tepid reviews, many of them criticizing its banality.
The show's star, Lily Collins, failed to get into the crowded Lead Actress in a Comedy field, and scene-stealer Ashley Park couldn't get into the even more crowded Supporting category. The show's inclusion in the category will surely raise a couple of eyebrows. Expect more than one joke made at Emily's expense during the telecast like at other prior award shows.
The Boys Makes It To Drama
The Boys, one of Amazon Prime's two superhero shows, is one of the most thrilling on television. It tells the story of the eponymous team of vigilantes and their rivalry with morally bankrupt superheroes who abuse their abilities. Since its premiere, The Boys received critical acclaim, with particular praise going to Karl Urban and Anthony Starr's lead performances.
The series received its first nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, one of the most pleasant surprises this morning. Urban and Starr failed to earn some much-deserved notices on the acting side, but there's a precedent now, and the future can be kind to the show and its two underrated actors.
Hamilton Gets An Encore
After being nearly shut out of the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, Hamilton is back with a vengeance. A musical adaptation of Alexander Hamilton's life, Hamilton received a whopping 12 Emmy nominations, including a staggering seven notices for its cast.
Both Lin Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. received nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie. However, the real surprises were in the supporting categories, where Jonathan Groff, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, Phillipa Soo, and Renée Elise Goldsberry all got in.
The Flight Attendant Soars But Can't Quite Rise
Since its premiere in November of last year, The Flight Attendant became one of the most exciting and noticeable contenders in Comedy. The show stars Kaley Cuoco in arguably, her best role to date. She plays Cassie Bowden, a reckless flight attendant who wakes up in Bangkok next to a dead man's body.
Many pundits expected the show to perform well at the Emmys, and it did. It got an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination, as well as recognition for Cuoco and Rosie Perez. However, neither Michiel Huisman nor Zosia Mamet earned nominations, despite many critics believing they stood a decent chance.
The Queen's Gambit Heads For The Win
When The Queen's Gambit debuted in October of last year, everyone knew it was something special. The miniseries stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, a complex and chaotic chess prodigy who struggles with alcohol and drug addictions. It received critical acclaim for its production values, storytelling, and Taylor-Joy's magnetic performance.
Indeed, The Queen's Gambit earned a plethora of nominations, including one for Taylor-Joy. However, the real surprises were the inclusions of Thomas Brodie Sangster and Moses Ingram, who played Benny Watts and Jolene, respectively. On the other hand, expected nominees Bill Camp and Marielle Heller, who played Mr. Shaibel and Alma Wheatley, failed to receive any love.
The Underground Railroad And Small Axe Get Shut Out
Two of the season's most acclaimed projects, Barry Jenkins' The Underground Railroad and Steve McQueen's Small Axe, got mostly shut out from major categories at this year's ceremony. Railroad tells the story of a group of people trying to escape slavery in the Southern United States with the help of the titular railroad. It received nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Directing for Jenkins, but nothing for its two leads, Thuso Mbedu and Joel Edgerton.
For its part, Small Axe is an anthology series that consists of five individual films, each focusing on stories about West Indian immigrants between the 60s and 80s. The project received a sole Cinematography nomination. Stars John Boyega and Letitia Wright failed to receive notices, as did McQueen himself.
Evan Peters Scores His First Nomination
Everyone knew HBO's Mare of Easttown would be a prominent player at this year's Emmys, and they were right. However, not many expected Evan Peters to make it to the final ballot, despite being absolutely worthy of a nomination. After all, Peters was previously snubbed for his performances in American Horror Story: Asylum and AHS: Cult.
Alas, the Academy rectified their mistakes and gave Peters his first Emmy nomination in the Supporting category. Julianne Nicholson and Jean Smart are also Supporting contenders for the show, while Kate Winslet's great performance as Mare Sheehan was also recognized.
MJ Rodriguez Makes History
FX's Pose ended its three-season run in June, receiving universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. The show received an Outstanding Drama Series nomination for its first season, which also won Billy Porter his first Emmy. However, MJ Rodriguez remained absent from the ballots until this year, when she received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, becoming the first transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy.
Her inclusion is history-making and the sign that the Television Academy is truly making efforts to be more inclusive. However, it's also a testament to Rodriguez's talent and a perfect way to celebrate her stellar work on the show.
WandaVision Casts A Spell
WandaVision was a bold experiment for Marvel Studios, a company infamous for its aversion to risk. However, the risk paid off, as the show won a staggering 23 Emmy nominations, the third-most out of any show. Many pundits expected the show to perform well, but no one could've foreseen the level of acclaim it received from the Television Academy.
Elizabeth Olsen and Kathryn Hahn received some much-deserved nominations, as did Paul Bettany, who not many people thought would get in. Furthermore, WandaVision earned nominations for its dazzling visual effects, along with three Writing nominations, a Directing nod, and a plethora of below-the-line mentions.