The 2024 Emmy Awards, which premiered Sept. 15, were full of surprises and memorable moments. Overall, the night celebrated both new and seasoned stars, with a mix of heartfelt moments and unexpected wins.

The Bear

“The Bear” walked away with a total of 11 Emmys, beating its own record. Multiple of the awards were given to its actors, including:  

• Jeremy Allen White won Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy Series. 
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
• Liza Colon-Zayas won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

The show also won Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series for the standout episode “Fishes.”​ 

Shōgun

“Shōgun” won 18 Emmys, breaking the record for most awards won in a single night and also breaking “Game Of Thrones” previous record of 14. Both lead actors took home awards as well. Some of its most notable wins were: 

• Hiroyuki Sanada won Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama Series. 
• Anna Sawai won Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series. 

Both actors made history as the first Japanese- and Asian-descended winners. The series also won the award for Best Drama Series.

Baby Reindeer

Netflix’s newest limited drama series, “Baby Reindeer,” which is a personal favorite of mine, won multiple awards given to both actors and the show itself. 

• Jessica Gunning won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. 
• Richard Gadd, who wrote, inspired and starred in the series, won Outstanding Leading Actor in a Limited Series. 
• The show also won the award for Best Limited Series. 

The series made history by having a supporting actress nomination for one of its actresses, Nava Mau, who was the first transgender person to be nominated. Mau was given an emotional greeting on the red carpet by another history-making trans woman, Laverne Cox, who was the first trans woman to be on the cover of Cosmopolitan.    

Hacks

The Max original comedy series, “Hacks,” which aired its third season earlier this year, was another major winner at the ceremony, winning: 

• Best Comedy Series
• Actress Jean Smart took home the award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series.    

Other notable awards 

• Alan Cumming won an Emmy for “The Traitors” and wore a trans pride flag while accepting it. 
• Elizabeth Debicki won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Princess Diana in “The Crown.” 
• Outstanding Leading Actress in a Limited Series went to Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country. This is her first ever Emmy, making her halfway to EGOT status. 
• The Governor’s award, which recognizes an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television, was given to Greg Berlanti due to his achievement in queer representation on TV.
• Best Scripted Variety Series went to “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.” 

Other important facts

• Three indigenous actors were nominated, making history. One of which, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, known for his role in Reservation Dogs, wore a red painted hand on his face in solidarity with missing and murdered Indigenous women.  
• John Leguizamo gave a speech about the importance of positive representation of the Latino community on screen.
• Tributes to iconic TV characters like lawyers, cops and coaches from shows like “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Reno 911!” and “Glee” added a fun, nostalgic touch​.
• The night also featured a heartfelt “In Memoriam” segment with a performance by Jelly Roll honoring late TV legends​.

All in all, it was a big night for TV fans everywhere. Whether you agreed or disagreed with the wins, it was a successful year of Emmy wins for primetime television.   

Nicholas Keller is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].