Emmy nominations: A deep dive into the unexpected and historic

The Emmy nominations have been unveiled, and this year’s list is brimming with surprises and historic firsts. From breakthrough producers to unexpected nods, the 2023 Emmy race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Matty Matheson’s unexpected journey

Matty Matheson, widely recognized for his role as Fak in the comedy frontrunner The Bear, may have missed out on a supporting comedy actor nomination, but he has something else to celebrate. Matheson received his first Emmy nomination as a producer for the hit culinary show. This nod could potentially lead to his first Emmy win, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Garrett Basch’s historic triple nomination

Garrett Basch, a name that might not be familiar to everyone, has made Emmy history. Known for his first nod for The Night Of in 2017, Basch is now the first producer to have three scripted shows nominated in the same year. His nominations include the Netflix limited series Ripley and the FX comedies Reservation Dogs and What We Do in the Shadows. Adding to this achievement, Taika Waititi, Basch’s colleague at FX, made history as the first Indigenous producer to earn double comedy bids for Reservation Dogs and What We Do in the Shadows.

The return of D.B. Weiss and David Benioff

D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, the creative minds behind Game of Thrones, have earned their second drama series bids for the Netflix sci-fi adaptation 3 Body Problem. This series boasts a star-studded producing team, including Knives Out director Rian Johnson, who received his first Emmy nomination after being previously overlooked for his work on Breaking Bad and Poker Face. The team also includes actress Rosamund Pike as an executive producer, alongside Plan B heads Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner.

Selena Gomez’s historic achievement

Selena Gomez has become the most nominated Latina producer in Emmy history, securing her third consecutive mention for Hulu’s mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building. This year, she also earned her first acting nomination as a lead comedy actress. Gomez is in good company, joined by co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short. Other actors/producers who received double nominations include Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon for The Morning Show, Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary, and Larry David for Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Notable names and legacy producers

Among the notable names this year are legacy executive producers Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and the late Steve Golin, who are part of the 18-nominee team for True Detective: Night Country. They are joined by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins and Cary Joji Fukunaga. Emmy winners Jason Bateman and Laura Dern are also nominees as part of the teams for Lessons in Chemistry and Palm Royale.

Final voting and what’s next

Final Emmy voting runs from August 15 to August 26. As the industry gears up for this crucial period, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. This year’s nominations not only highlight the incredible talent within the industry but also underscore the evolving landscape of television and streaming content.

For cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts, the Emmy nominations offer a glimpse into the best of what the industry has to offer. Whether you’re rooting for a favorite show or discovering new ones, this year’s Emmy race promises to be a thrilling journey.