FIGHTING FOR A FAREWELL
‘Succession’ and ‘Ted Lasso’ could take home one last trophy at SAG
Will the SAG Awards be the final bows for “Succession” and “Ted Lasso”? The two series have been the very definition of early 2020s awards juggernauts, particularly at the Emmys. But both shows wrapped their final seasons in 2023, which means we’re in the last gasps of awards eligibility for both.
When the 30th annual SAG Awards take place on Feb. 24, we’ll already know how “Succession” and “Ted Lasso” did at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, Primetime Emmys and DGA Awards. It’s quite possible those series stars’ tuxedos and dresses are going to be pretty wrinkly by the time we get to the SAG Awards. (They’ll have one more chance at the WGA Awards in April.)
The SAGS may be the most important event of all for the stars of “Succession” and “Ted Lasso.” These are tightknit casts who made two of the best shows — and most awarded — shows of the decade. And this may be one of the last times they’ll all be together, in a room, to celebrate as castmates.
It’s bound to be an emotional evening for the shows — and really, for the awards industrial complex as well. Over the past few years, “Succession” and “Ted Lasso” have helped drive some of the most competitive races at the height of Peak TV. And the idea of betting against either show was ill-advised: “Ted Lasso” won the outstanding comedy Emmy in 2021 and 2022, while “Succession” picked up the outstanding drama Emmy in 2020 and 2022.
“Succession” also won the Golden Globe in 2020 and 2022. But nothing’s a gimme: “Ted Lasso” has not yet won the top Globes prize.
It’s quite possible nostalgic voters will give one final award to each; both shows are at the top (or nearly at the top) of most pundits’ predictions lists. But with a SAG-AFTRA voting body of approximately 165,000 members, it’s always hard to guess whether or not the safe choice will win out.
For example, the SAG Awards were a little late to the “Succession” phenomenon. The first two season of the HBO series weren’t even nominated for best drama ensemble in 2019 and 2020. SAG-AFTRA members made up for it in Season 3, when the show beat out contenders like “Squid Game” and “Yellowstone.” A pandemic delay made it ineligible for entry last year, and now it’s the final hurrah for the Roy family.
This year, drama ensembles most likely to face off against “Succession” include twotime winner “The Crown,” previous nominee “The Morning Show” and buzzy newcomer “The Last of Us.”
In comedy, “Ted Lasso” was nominated as an ensemble in 2020 and won the SAG Award in 2021. Because of the pandemic delay, it wasn’t eligible this past year — opening the door for an “Abbott Elementary” win.
“Abbott” is back this year as well; other likely competitors include “Barry,” “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building” — all of which were nominated last year. Other possibilities include two-time winner “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” which also completed its final season; and newcomers “Poker Face,” “Jury Duty,” the new “Frasier” series, “Shrinking” and more.
It’s a competitive year — which is why there’s a chance, in a sea of so many options, that enough of a critical mass might give a farewell vote to “Succession” and “Ted Lasso.” And what an ironic way to kick off the new deal to air the SAG Awards on Netflix: The two biggest TV awards going to two of its biggest kudo rivals. But after the year Hollywood just experienced, including the 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike, we all could use a good laugh.