Emmy nods could bring surprises and more diversity.
LOS ANGELES — Television has been America’s constant companion amid an unyielding virus and whirlwind of racial reappraisal.
But will the Emmy nominations arriving Tuesday reflect the times or retreat to the familiar? The announcement itself was forced to bow to health safeguards, going virtual and without the usual mini-swarm of reporters and anxious publicists on hand at the TV academy’s Los Angeles headquarters.
How September’s ceremony airing on ABC will look is anybody’s guess.
The first major entertainment awards of the pandemic era clearly is a traveler without a map.
With isolation-forced time on their hands, TV industry members may have been more diligent about searching out potential nominees that otherwise would have been overlooked.
Newly expanded categories and the departure of last year’s dominant series winners, “Game of Thrones” and “Fleabag,” opened the door for newcomers and under-valued series, among them the inclusive comedies “Ramy” and “Insecure.”
The academy has ground to make up in diversity. In 2019, less than a quarter of the acting bids went to people of color, down from more than a third of the nominations in 2018.
The 72nd annual Emmy nominations, if not ultimately the awards, could make progress because of the racial reckoning that’s underway, said Eric Deggans, TV critic for National Public Radio and author of “Race Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.”
“A lot of Black creators are talking up ‘Insecure’ now, hoping that the moment combined with the show having a really good season” will earn it deserved nods, Deggans said.
“Ramy” had a notable season, one bolstered by the addition of Oscar-winning Mahershala Ali, a contender for best supporting actor, said Deggans, who also cited OWN’s Black coming-ofage drama “David Makes Man” as worthy of attention.
Ramy Youssef ’s series about a millennial Muslim American earned him a 2020 Golden Globe for best comedy actor and a vaunted Peabody honor, but it’s hunting for its first Emmy recognition after two seasons.
Top drama series contenders include newcomer Apple TV’s drama series “The Morning Show” and its lead actresses Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
The academy’s decision to tie the number of nominees to submissions has increased the slots in some categories, which could mean newcomers like Zendaya, star of HBO’s teenage drama “Euphoria,” are brought into the Emmy fold.
Among limited series, the graphic novel-inspired HBO’s “Watchmen,” with a diverse cast led by Regina King and a dystopian theme that jibes with the zeitgeist, is a front-runner. FX’s “Mrs. America” and Netflix’s “Unbelievable” are among other top contenders.
Leslie Jones will host the online nominations announcement. The Emmys, which rotate among the major broadcast networks, will air Sept. 20 on ABC .