Richard Gadd’s Hit TV Show Garners Critical Acclaim Despite Legal Challenges; “The Bear” and “Shogun” Also Among the Big Winners.Â
How Did "Baby Reindeer" Triumph at the Emmys?
The British television hit Baby Reindeer has stormed the 2024 Emmy Awards, securing four trophies during the prestigious ceremony in Los Angeles. The show’s creator and lead star, Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, taking home three awards for his work as an actor, writer, and executive producer. His co-star, Jessica Gunning, who played the role of Martha, a stalker, won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.
In her acceptance speech, Gunning expressed disbelief, saying, “Oh my goodness me, blinking heckers. Thank you so much. I honestly feel like I’m going to wake up any minute now, and this whole thing has been a dream.”
What Controversies Surround "Baby Reindeer"?
Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, which recounts his real-life experiences of being stalked by a woman and sexually abused by a male TV industry figure, has been one of the most talked-about TV shows of the year. Despite its success, the show has attracted controversy, with some questioning its claim to be “a true story.”
This controversy has intensified due to an ongoing lawsuit. The woman allegedly portrayed by Gunning’s character is suing Netflix for defamation, negligence, and privacy violations. While the legal battle continues, the show’s impact remains undeniable.
Accepting his award for Best Writing for a Limited Series, Gadd took a moment to reflect on his journey. “Ten years ago, I was down and out. I never thought I’d get my life together,” he said. “I never thought I’d be able to rectify myself for what happened to me and get myself back on my feet again. And then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television. I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere.”
How Did Gadd Respond to the Backlash?
Ahead of the ceremony, Gadd addressed the ongoing criticism of his show. He admitted that the media had focused heavily on the fallout from the show. When asked if he had any regrets, Gadd replied, “I can’t answer that right now because you can’t change the past. The past has happened, and the show has had a phenomenal impact on people.”
Gadd went on to highlight Baby Reindeer’s global success, particularly in countries that typically don’t engage with British shows. “It’s been number one in countries like Lebanon and Qatar—places where you never, ever thought it would break through. It’s had a cross-cultural impact that very few shows have.”
Why Did "The Bear" Win Big but Miss Out on Best Comedy Series?
The culinary dramedy The Bear also had a strong showing at the Emmys, with three of its actors taking home top prizes. Jeremy Allen White won Best Comedy Actor for his portrayal of Carmy, marking his second consecutive win in the category. Meanwhile, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie) and Liza ColĂłn-Zayas (Tina) secured Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series, respectively.
An emotional ColĂłn-Zayas expressed her gratitude during her acceptance speech, particularly to the Latinx community. “To all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing, and vote—vote for your rights,” she urged.
Despite these wins, The Bear faced a surprising loss in the final category of the night. The award for Best Comedy Series, which many expected The Bear to claim, instead went to Hacks.
How Did "Hacks" Claim Best Comedy Series?
In a turn of events that shocked many, Hacks, the comedy about the love-hate relationship between a veteran comedian and her younger writer, took home the coveted prize for Best Comedy Series.
Jean Smart, who portrays the aging comedian Deborah Vance in the series, won her third Emmy for the role of Deborah and her sixth Emmy overall. She beat out Ayo Edebiri from The Bear, who had won the award last year for her portrayal of Sydney.
Why Did Drama Categories Get Dominated by Shogun and The Crown?
In the drama categories, the Japanese historical epic Shogun emerged as the dominant force. The series, which had already set a record for the most Emmy wins in a single year by claiming 14 Creative Arts Emmys the previous weekend, added another four trophies at the main event.
Shogun made history as the first non-English language show to win Best Drama Series. Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, who portray Yoshii Toranaga and Toda Mariko, respectively, took home the Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama award.
In his acceptance speech, executive producer Justin Marks expressed his gratitude toward the show’s backers, including Disney, Hulu, and FX. “You guys greenlit a very expensive subtitled Japanese period piece whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition,” he said with a touch of humor. “I have no idea why you did that, but thank you for your faith in this incredible team.”
Sanada, who also served as a producer, delivered part of his speech in Japanese, saying, “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the crew, directors, and masters who have inherited and supported our samurai period dramas up until now. The passion and dreams that we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders. Thank you so much!”
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Debicki won Best Drama Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the final season of Netflix’s The Crown. Debicki called it “an unparalleled privilege” to play the late royal figure, but her win was the only recognition the show received during its swansong season.
What Were the Other Notable Wins and Surprises?
Billy Crudup won Best Supporting Drama Actor for The Morning Show, while Jodie Foster claimed Best Actress in a Limited Series for her performance in True Detective: Night Country.
British talent also shone at the ceremony. TV host John Oliver won Best Scripted Variety Series, and Will Smith picked up Best Drama Writing for his work on Slow Horses.
In the reality competition categories, The Traitors edged out RuPaul’s Drag Race, which had dominated the category for five of the past six years. Host Alan Cumming accepted the award for Best Reality Competition Show and was also named Best Reality Competition Host during the Creative Arts Emmys the previous weekend.
Sunday’s ceremony capped a particularly busy week for the TV host and actor, who was also announced as the new artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland.
This year’s Emmy Awards saw both triumph and surprise, as Baby Reindeer, The Bear, and Shogun left indelible marks on the night. Amid controversies and unexpected victories, the ceremony highlighted the ever-evolving landscape of global television.
