The Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles showcased Netflix’s controversial stalker drama Baby Reindeer, as well as FX’s Shogun and The Bear, as the standout winners of the night. Baby Reindeer, produced by Clerkenwell Films, received four awards, including best limited or anthology series, along with acting accolades for creator Richard Gadd and co-star Lily Gladstone.
Despite being a hot topic this year, Baby Reindeer’s triumph was somewhat overshadowed by accusations regarding the authenticity of its story—claimed to be based on true events—and its portrayal of real people. A woman has filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that her representation in the series was negative.
In a pre-Emmy interview with the BBC, Gadd addressed the legal concerns, emphasizing the show’s positive impact. He noted, “The past has happened, and the show has had a phenomenal impact on people. There’s this incredible focus on the negative in the press, but you can’t ignore the positive impact that Baby Reindeer has had.”
Japanese historical drama Shogun was another major contender, winning four awards, including best drama series, marking the first time a non-English language show has achieved this recognition. Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai received lead acting awards. Shogun, based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, was produced by Michael De Luca Productions and FXP. Executive producer Justin Marks expressed gratitude for the support from the network, acknowledging the unique nature of the series.
In a surprising turn, HBO Max’s Hacks, which follows the dynamic between a young comedy writer and a Las Vegas stand-up icon, took home the Best Comedy Series award, defeating FX’s critically acclaimed The Bear. However, The Bear’s cast and crew had reasons to celebrate as star Jeremy Allen White won outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas both earned honors in supporting actor categories.
The night also saw London-based production company Studio Lambert’s The Traitors outperforming RuPaul’s Drag Race for the best reality competition show. Jodie Foster won outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series, while Last Week Tonight with John Oliver secured the title of best scripted variety series and The Daily Show was awarded outstanding talk series.
Eugene and Dan Levy hosted the 76th Emmy Awards, broadcast live on ABC from LA’s Peacock Theatre. This year, Disney led the way with a remarkable total of 60 wins across both the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmys for shows like Shogun, The Bear, and Jim Henson: Idea Man. In comparison, Netflix earned 24 awards, while HBO/Max garnered 14.