At the 2024 Emmy Awards, FX’s The Bear took home four major awards, with Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach repeating their wins for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Liza Colón-Zayas won Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Latina to win the category. The show’s creator, Christopher Storer, also secured Best Directing for a Comedy Series. Hiroyuki Sanada made history as the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy, recognized for his performance in Shogun. Netflix’s The Crown saw Elizabeth Debicki win Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Princess Diana. Meanwhile, Baby Reindeer, a British limited series, triumphed in the limited series categories, with Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning taking home writing and acting awards. Other surprises included Lamorne Morris winning over Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for Fargo.
The 2024 Emmy Awards unfolded as a night of stellar performances, historic wins, and unexpected surprises, marking a significant moment for some of television’s most celebrated shows and stars. Hosted at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, the star-studded ceremony saw FX’s The Bear dominate the comedy categories, with the gritty drama Shogun and British series Baby Reindeer also making waves. In a landscape still affected by the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes, the ceremony showcased not only the resilience of the TV industry but also its growing diversity and inclusivity.
The Bear Rules the Comedy Category
The night belonged to *The Bear*, FX’s hit series about a talented chef navigating the chaotic transition of a run-down family sandwich shop into a high-end restaurant. The show, already a critics’ darling, solidified its standing by taking home four Emmys in key comedy categories.
Jeremy Allen White, who plays the intense and brooding chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, won his second consecutive Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. His portrayal of a tortured culinary genius has resonated with viewers and critics alike, drawing comparisons to some of TV’s most iconic performances. White’s win was not a surprise but a confirmation of his rising stardom.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Carmy’s volatile right-hand man, Richie Jerimovich, also repeated his win from last year, taking home Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His portrayal of the deeply flawed yet somehow endearing character has been one of the most talked-about aspects of the show.
The biggest surprise, however, came when Liza Colón-Zayas, who plays the tough yet compassionate line cook Tina, won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The win not only marked her first Emmy but also made her the first Latina actress to ever claim victory in the category. In an emotional acceptance speech, Colón-Zayas teared up as she stood alongside industry legends like Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett. “How could I have thought it would be possible to be in the presence of Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett?” she said through tears. She concluded with a message of hope, especially to the Latina community: “To all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing and vote.”
Adding to The Bear’s remarkable night, the show’s creator, Christopher Storer, took home the award for Best Directing for a Comedy Series. His win was made even more special as it was presented by the legendary duo Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, who reunited on stage to hand out the award. Storer’s directorial vision has been a cornerstone of The Bear’s success, blending raw emotion with bursts of humor and intensity, making the series a unique entrant in the comedy category, despite its heavy dramatic undertones.
The third season of The Bear had just premiered ahead of the ceremony, but the night’s awards were for its second season, where White’s Carmy continued his quest to elevate his family’s struggling sandwich shop into a Michelin-caliber restaurant. The transformation storyline, underscored by the cast’s explosive performances, has become a defining moment in modern television.
Jean Smart Continues to Dominate with Hacks
Another notable winner in the comedy realm was Jean Smart, who snagged the Best Actress in a Comedy Series award for her role in Hacks for the third consecutive year. Smart’s portrayal of the caustic yet lovable stand-up comedian Deborah Vance has won her universal acclaim, and her victory in this category has cemented her status as one of television’s greatest performers, with a total of six Emmy wins across her illustrious career.
Although The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri had moved from Best Supporting Actress to the lead category this year, Smart’s win was seen as a testament to her remarkable talent. Edebiri’s presence among the nominees, however, signals a bright future for the talented actress who will likely be a major contender in the years to come.
Shogun and Hiroyuki Sanada’s Historic Win
The other major story of the night centered around Shogun, the FX epic set in feudal Japan, which had dominated the Creative Arts Emmys, racking up a record-breaking 14 awards. While Shogun was tipped to sweep several categories in the main event, its first major award of the night went to Hiroyuki Sanada, who made history as the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy. Sanada’s gripping portrayal of a samurai navigating the complex political landscape of feudal Japan was lauded for its depth and emotional nuance.
Sanada’s win was not just a personal triumph but also a significant moment for Asian representation in Western media. His performance in Shogun resonated deeply, drawing attention to the show’s brilliant storytelling, which delves into themes of honor, betrayal, and cultural clashes. Shogun lost out in some other major categories, such as Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, where Tadanobu Asano was edged out by Billy Crudup for his role in The Morning Show, but Sanada’s historic win was a crowning achievement for the night.
The Crown Reigns Again
In the drama categories, Netflix’s long-running hit The Crown continued to cement its legacy with Elizabeth Debicki winning Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her poignant portrayal of Princess Diana. Her performance in the show’s sixth and final season, particularly in the harrowing final moments of Diana’s life, earned her widespread praise. “Playing this part, based on this unparalleled, incredible human being, has been my great privilege,” Debicki said in her acceptance speech.
As The Crown prepares to close its doors, Debicki’s win marks yet another feather in the cap of a show that has consistently dominated awards seasons since its debut. The show’s deeply detailed exploration of the British royal family, paired with its masterful performances, ensures its place among the greatest dramas in television history.
Baby Reindeer Scores Big in Limited Series
Another dark horse of the night was Baby Reindeer, Netflix’s British series that took home several top awards in the limited series category. Created by and starring Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer is based on Gadd’s own one-man stage show, which details his experiences of being stalked and sexually harassed, blending dark comedy with gut-wrenching drama.
Gadd won Best Writing for a Limited Series, delivering a moving acceptance speech where he reflected on his personal struggles. “Ten years ago, I was down and out, I never ever thought I could get my life together,” he said tearfully. “Here I am, just a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.” Jessica Gunning, who portrayed Gadd’s tormentor, won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, adding another win for Baby Reindeer.
Surprises in the Limited Series Categories
In a surprising upset, Lamorne Morris of Fargo took home the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series award, beating out fan-favorite Robert Downey Jr., who was heavily favored to win for his role in The Sympathizer. “Robert Downey Jr., I have a poster of you in my house!” Morris joked as he accepted his first Emmy, delivering one of the night’s most charming moments.
The limited series category also saw True Detective: Night Country’s Jodie Foster poised to win her first Emmy, adding even more anticipation to an already exhilarating night of television’s biggest stars.
A Night of Legends and Icons
The 2024 Emmys weren’t just about the winners; it was a celebration of television history. Themed teams of presenters from iconic TV shows — sitcom dads George Lopez, Damon Wayans, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, as well as TV moms Meredith Baxter, Connie Britton, and Susan Kelechi Watson — made for nostalgic moments that tied together generations of television.
In summary, the 2024 Emmy Awards were a reflection of TV’s ever-evolving landscape, filled with diversity, excellence, and moments of history-making triumph. From The Bear’s sweep to Hiroyuki Sanada’s groundbreaking win, the ceremony underscored the power of storytelling and the bright future of television.
