Emmy Awards Spotlight: The Rise of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' and the Unexpected Setbacks of 'The Handmaid's Tale'

The 2018 Emmy Awards showcased a remarkable shift in television dominance, with streaming giant Netflix overtaking HBO in nominations for the first time in 17 years. Both networks secured an impressive 23 awards each, but it was Amazon's comedy series that stole the spotlight.

Top Categories and Highlights

Outstanding Drama Series

Winner: Game of Thrones (HBO).

Known as one of the most expensive and acclaimed TV series ever, Game of Thrones continued its winning streak by adding another Emmy to its collection.

Other nominees included:

• The Americans (FX)
• The Crown (Netflix)
• The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Stranger Things (Netflix)
• This Is Us (NBC)
• Westworld (HBO)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Winner: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon).

This comedy series emerged as the big winner of the night, surpassing fan favorite Atlanta and earning five Emmy statues.

Other nominees were:

• Atlanta (FX)
• Barry (HBO)
• Black-ish (ABC)
• Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
• GLOW (Netflix)
• Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

Outstanding Limited Series

Winner: American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX).

Despite strong competition from Benedict Cumberbatch's Patrick Melrose, Ryan Murphy's gripping portrayal of one of the most shocking murders in fashion history took the top honor.

Other nominees included:

• The Alienist (TNT)
• Genius: Picasso (Nat Geo)
• Godless (Netflix)
• Patrick Melrose (Showtime)

Outstanding Television Movie

Winner: Black Mirror: USS Callister (Netflix).

This win sparked renewed discussions about a possible spin-off series continuing the story of the spaceship "Callister."

Other nominees were:

• Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
• Flint (Lifetime)
• Paterno (HBO)
• The Tale (HBO)

Outstanding Acting Performances

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Winner: Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings in The Americans (FX).

The compelling story of KGB agents posing as Americans continues to captivate audiences in its sixth season.

Other nominees included:

• Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde – Ozark (Netflix)
• Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson – This Is Us (NBC)
• Ed Harris as the Man in Black – Westworld (HBO)
• Milo Ventimiglia as Jack Pearson – This Is Us (NBC)
• Jeffrey Wright as Bernard Lowe – Westworld (HBO)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Winner: Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown (Netflix).

Although Claire Foy concluded her role, with Olivia Colman set to take over for the next season, her award was well deserved.

Other nominees were:

• Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles – Orphan Black (BBC America)
• Elizabeth Moss as June Osborne / Offred – The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri – Killing Eve (BBC America)
• Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings – The Americans (FX)
• Evan Rachel Wood as Dolores Abernathy – Westworld (HBO)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner: Bill Hader as Barry Berkman in Barry (HBO).

This dark comedy about a hitman turning to acting was one of the standout new shows of recent years.

Other nominees included:

• Anthony Anderson as Andre Dre Johnson – Black-ish (ABC)
• Ted Danson as Michael – The Good Place (NBC)
• Larry David as himself – Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
• Donald Glover as Earnest "Earn" Marks / Teddy Perkins – Atlanta (FX)
• William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher – Shameless (Showtime)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner: Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam 'Midge' Maisel in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon).

Rachel's portrayal of a single mother discovering her talent for stand-up comedy won the hearts of both viewers and critics alike.

Other nominees were:

• Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox – Better Things (FX)
• Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett – Moms (CBS)
• Issa Rae as Issa Dee – Insecure (HBO)
• Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow Johnson – Black-ish (ABC)
• Lily Tomlin as Frankie Bergstein – Grace and Frankie (Netflix)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Winner: Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX).

Criss delivered a powerful performance capturing the complex emotions of the infamous murderer.

Other nominees included:

• Antonio Banderas as Pablo Picasso – Genius (Nat Geo)
• Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick Melrose – Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
• Jeff Daniels as John P. O'Neill – The Looming Tower (Hulu)
• John Legend as Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
• Jesse Plemons as Captain Robert Daly – Black Mirror: USS Callister (Netflix)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Winner: Regina King as Latrice Butler in Seven Seconds (Netflix).

Although the American remake of Yuri Bykov’s film Major lasted only one season, King's portrayal of a grieving mother left a lasting impression.

Other nominees were:

• Jessica Biel as Cora Tannetti – The Sinner (USA)
• Laura Dern as Jennifer Fox – The Tale (HBO)
• Michelle Dockery as Alice Fletcher – Godless (Netflix)
• Edi Falco as Leslie Abramson – Law & Order: True Crime (NBC)
• Sara Paulson as Ally Mayfair-Richards – American Horror Story: Cult (FX)

Supporting Role Winners

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Winner: Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones (HBO).

Dinklage triumphed over his on-screen brother Nikolaj Coster-Waldau with a compelling portrayal of Tyrion.

Other nominees included:

• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister – Game of Thrones (HBO)
• Joseph Fiennes as Commander Fred Waterford – The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• David Harbour as Jim Hopper – Stranger Things (Netflix)
• Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson – Homeland (Showtime)
• Matt Smith as Prince Philip – The Crown (Netflix)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Winner: Thandiwe Newton as Maeve Millay in Westworld (HBO).

Defying expectations for another win by The Handmaid's Tale, Newton earned acclaim for her role as a mother android searching for her lost child.

Other nominees were:

• Alexis Bledel as Emily / Ofsteven – The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven / Jane Ives – Stranger Things (Netflix)
• Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia – The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
• Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister – Game of Thrones (HBO)
• Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret – The Crown (Netflix)
• Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford – The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner: Henry Winkler as Gene Cousineau in Barry (HBO).

Winkler's portrayal of an emotional acting coach added depth and humor to the hit series about hitmen-turned-actors.

Other nominees included:

• Louis Anderson as Christine Baskets – Baskets (FX)
• Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Titus Burgess as Titus Andromedon – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
• Brian Tyree Henry as Alfred 'Paper Boi' Miles – Atlanta (FX)
• Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
• Kenan Thompson in various roles – Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner: Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon).

Borstein's vibrant and emotional performance made Susie an unforgettable character alongside the lead.

Other nominees were:

• Zazie Beetz as Vanessa Van Dyke – Atlanta (FX)
• Andy Bryant in various roles – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Betty Gilpin as Debbie Eagan – GLOW (Netflix)
• Leslie Jones in various roles – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Kate McKinnon in various roles – Saturday Night Live (NBC)
• Lauri Metcalf as Jackie Harris – Roseanne (ABC)
• Megan Mullally as Karen Walker – Will & Grace (NBC)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Winner: Jeff Daniels as Frank Griffin in Godless (Netflix).

Daniels showcased a compelling transformation from his comedic roles to a ruthless outlaw in this Western drama.

Other nominees included:

• Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas Iscariot – Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
• John Leguizamo as Jacob Vasquez – Waco (Paramount Network)
• Ricky Martin as Antonio D'Amico – American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX)
• Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace – American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX)
• Michael Stuhlbarg as Richard A. Clarke – The Looming Tower (Hulu)
• Finn Wittrock as Jeffrey Trail – American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Winner: Merritt Weaver as Mary Agnes McNue in Godless (Netflix).

Weaver's portrayal of a strong woman leading a town in the Wild West was a highlight of the series.

Other nominees included:

• Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene – Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
• Penélope Cruz as Donatella Versace – American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX)
• Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin – American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (FX)
• Adina Porter as Beverly Hope – American Horror Story: Cult (FX)
• Letitia Wright as Nish – Black Mirror: Black Museum (Netflix)

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