2024 Proved Why Genre TV Actors Deserve More Emmy Recognition

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As a long-time enthusiast of television and a connoisseur of fine performances, I can confidently say that 2024 has been a banner year for acting, particularly in the realm of genre shows. The performances in shows like “The Penguin,” “Agatha All Along,” “House of the Dragon,” and “Dune: Prophecy” have been nothing short of extraordinary.

It’s easy to say “acting awards don’t matter,” because in some ways that’s true. A great performance does not need a golden statue for validation just as a trophy can’t improve a lesser performance. But that doesn’t mean it’s not nice to win, or, at the very least, get nominated. Who doesn’t want to be recognized for their work? For too long, the Television Academy has been ignoring some of the its own medium’s best. Intentional or not, there’s a built-in bias against genre TV. But that shouldn’t be the case after 2024. Shows like The Penguin, Agatha All Along, Dune: Prophecy, and House of the Dragon featured some of the absolute best acting to appear on the small screen this year. And that should be reflected in next year’s Emmy nominations.

It might be challenging for actors in genre series like ‘Game of Thrones’ to secure an Emmy award, given that shows like ‘Saturday Night Live’ have a significant edge with more seasons and episodes. Despite the widespread recognition of the entire cast, only Peter Dinklage managed to win an acting Emmy for ‘Game of Thrones’. This suggests that even though ‘Game of Thrones’ dominated at the TV’s prestigious awards event, its competition’s longevity in terms of seasons and episodes might have played a role in their Emmy success.

Consider the significance of his four awards. These are the only instances when arguably the most popular TV series ever produced, a worldwide sensation that everyone acknowledged during its run had one of the best ensembles ever gathered, received the highest honor for a television actor. Ironically, the actual recognition given to ‘Game of Thrones’ was much less impressive than this. The final season garnered numerous nominations for the cast. It felt like the Academy scrambled to correct a significant oversight right before time ran out.

Since then, progress in genre TV has been relatively limited. It’s often unexpected when actors from genres like fantasy, sci-fi, horror, or superheroes receive nominations. Even when they do, it usually takes something exceptional to stand out. Merely being exceptionally talented or one of the year’s best isn’t enough; having a remarkable, distinctive character like Walton Goggins’ character, the Ghoul on Fallout, helps. Being part of a successful, prestigious TV series is also beneficial, as demonstrated by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us. Shows such as HBO’s Watchmen, another prestige series based on a popular IP, are exceptions that confirm the rule. However, if you’re delivering outstanding performances on shows categorized as niche, comedic, or less “serious,” your chances are slim.

Because shows like “Succession” and “The Bear” are dominating acting nominations, they’re taking up all the space, leaving no recognition for exceptional performances such as Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki or Elizabeth Olsen’s work on “WandaVision”. It’s similar to the situation with “What We Do in the Shadows”, a brilliant comedy, which has only managed one acting nomination (for Matt Berry in 2024). “The Boys” also hasn’t received any Emmy acting nominations, even though it boasts an exceptional cast led by Antony Starr who’s been delivering an outstanding performance. Interestingly, Starr did win a Best Actor in a Drama Series award at the Critics Choice Awards recently. Furthermore, despite consistently impressive acting across all of Mike Flanagan’s shows, none of the cast members have received an Emmy nomination yet.

It’s absurd we know someone like The Wheel of Times‘ Madeleine Madden or Gen V‘s Jaz Sinclair have no shot at a nomination even when they are the best part of a big budget show from the studio owned by Amazon. Same for The Rings of Power‘s Charlie Vickers who is making Sauron—best known as a giant eye—one of the most complex villains in TV history. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and 2024 could finally help change the status quo that refuses to treat genre TV like every other show.

In simpler terms, both “The Penguin” and “Agatha All Along” weren’t just exceptional superhero series in 2024; they were among the best shows overall this year. A significant factor contributing to their success was the outstanding performances from their main actors and supporting cast members. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti delivered exceptional performances on “The Penguin”, showcasing their talent at the pinnacle of their abilities in captivating roles. Similarly, Kathryn Hahn shone brilliantly on “Agatha All Along”. The show pushed her to perform a wide range, from the funniest comedy to the most emotional drama, and she excelled in every aspect.

This year, Deirdre O’Connell delivered an exceptional, moving, multi-dimensional performance as Oz Cobb’s mother that stood out. However, Patti LuPone in her role as Lilia the Divinations witch from Agatha All Along also gave a remarkable performance, and the rest of her coven – Sasheer Zamata, Joe Locke, Ali Ahn, and Aubrey Plaza – were equally impressive.

Notably, these two series, “House of the Dragon” and “Dune: Prophecy”, boasted performances that were Emmy-worthy, rivaling some of the best television had to offer this year. Despite the challenges faced by “House of the Dragon” in its second season, the acting department was a non-issue. Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Needham, Bethany Antonia, and Tom Glynn-Carney all delivered standout, exceptional performances. Similarly, Emily Watson and Olivia Williams excelled in their demanding roles on “Dune: Prophecy”, presenting some of the finest work in their extensive careers. Each actor mastered complex characters that demanded depth and nuance, a skill honed over years of dedicated craftsmanship. In less skilled hands, these shows might not have been as successful.

Regardless of whether any or all of them receive Emmy nominations next year, the quality of their performances and our feelings towards them won’t significantly alter. While an Emmy recognition would be nice, it doesn’t determine their talent. In 2024, however, it was clearer than ever that television is host to some exceptional acting performances across various genres.

Note from the Editor: The film “Dune: Prophecy” is produced by Legendary Entertainment. TopMob is a branch under the digital network division of this same company, Legendary Entertainment.

Mikey Walsh, a contributing author at TopMob, strongly advocates for Cristin Milioti to be considered by the Academy for The Penguin award. You can keep up with his thoughts on Bluesky @burgermike or wherever lists of Targaryen kings are being ranked.

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2024-12-25 00:32