Succession and Schitt’s Creek the big winners at politically charged Emmys
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong used his Emmys acceptance speech to criticise Boris Johnson and Donald Trump for their responses to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were anchored from an eerily empt y Staples Centre in Los Angeles, while the lack of the traditional glitz and glamour of the red carpet was another concession to the post-covid-19 world.
Succession, some of which was filmed at locations in Scotland including the V&A in Dundee and Gleneagles Hotel, took the top prize of outstanding drama series at the biggest night in US TV. Armstrong also picked up a gong for his writing on the acclaimed HBO production.
He delivered his acceptance speeches from London, with the event forced to go largely remote due to the pandemic.
For being “robbed” of spending the night with Succession’s cast and crew, Armstrong said he wanted to deliver a series of “un-thank yous” and targeted the leaders of the US and UK.
He said: “Un-thank you to the virus, for keeping us all apart this year. Un-thank-you to President Trump for his crummy and uncoordinated response.
“Un-thank you to Boris Johnson and his government for doing the same in my country.”
Armstrong, who was interrupted by a phone ringing in the background, added: “Unthank you to all the nationalists and quasi-nationalist governments in the world who are exactly the opposite of what we need right now.
“An dun-thank you to the media moguls who do so much to keep them in power.”
Satirical comedy-drama Succession focuses on the wealthy and powerful Roy family, headed by Scottish star Brian Cox’s Logan Roy, a media magnate.
Watchmen and Schitt’s Creek were also the big winners during a politically charged ceremony against the backdrop of a pandemic, social unrest and a looming presidential election.
Host Jimmy Kimmel jokingly welcomed viewers to the “pandemmys,” while the vast majority of nominees were at home, with winners appearing via video feed.
Watchmen, a searing exploration of racism in Am erica, won outstanding limited series while also picking up wins for directing and writing, as well as awards for stars Regina King and Yahya AbdulMateen II.
King, who won for outstanding lead actress in a limited series, wore aT-shirt bearing the image of Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot and killed by police in Kentucky in March, and joined a host of other stars urging viewers to vote.
Schitt’s Creek swept the comedy categories, with wins for stars Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’hara and Annie Murphy.
Daniel, also a co-creator on the show, said the series was about the “transformational effects of love and acceptance,” properties he said were needed now more than ever.
He also told people to vote, before apologising for making his acceptance speech political.
The ceremony took place soon after the US reached the grim milestone of more than 200,000 coronavirus deaths, while social justice protests continue across the country.
At one point, Kimmel was joined on stage by actor Anthony Anderson for repeated declarations that “Black lives matter” and many winners made politically charged speeches.
While the night was often dominated by the misery inflicted by the pandemic and the trauma of the deaths of black Americans, there were also moments of joy.
Euphoria star Zendaya was a surprise winner in the outstanding drama actress category, beating A-list competi ti on including Olivia Colman and Jennifer An is ton. The 24-year-old could barely hide her joy as she fought back tears, clutching her Em my while surrounded by her jubilant family.
J as onSudeikisp resented an award while undergoing a coronavirus test, listing the nominees while a nurse placed a swab up his nose.
Little Fires Everywhere costars Reese Witherspoon and Kerr y Washington spent the night together at a garden party, describing it as a New Year’s Eve celebration because they were“ready for 2020 to be over”.