September 19 is fast approaching, which means the 2021 Emmys will soon be here.
Thanks to the Delta strain of COVID, the ceremony this year will be a much smaller affair, with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences previously announcing that attendees must show proof of vaccination before they will be permitted to enter. Masks will also be mandatory at the event.
Nevertheless, the Primetime Emmys will surely be a great time as host Cedric the Entertainer oversees awards handed out across 25 categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
This year, Disney is a frontrunner at the 2021 ceremony having racked up 146 nominations across all of the categories while streaming giant Netflix earned a total of 129 nominations. WarnerMedia — which owns HBO and HBO Max — garnered 138 total nominations thanks to the two platforms.
Usually a big winner at the event, Succession will this year be absent from the drama category due to pandemic induced delays affecting the production of the upcoming third season,
With the HBO favourite out of the running, which dramas could take home the prize for Outstanding Drama Series? Let’s take a look.
The Boys
What’s it about?
This action-fiction series is set in a universe where superpowered individuals are recognised as heroes by the general public and work for a powerful corporation called Vought International, which markets and monetises them.
While most superheroes are portrayed as upstanding citizens even when they’re not wearing their proverbial capes, the characters in this series are a little different and are downright corrupt when not assuming their alter-egos.
The series centres around two “gangs” of the Vought International crusaders — the Seven and, as the title suggests, The Boys. This one is definitely not for kids as some of the members of the group include Queen Maeve, drug-addicted A-Train, the insecure Deep, the mysterious Black Noir, and white supremacist Stormfront.
How many seasons are there?
Two, with a third already ordered.
Where can I watch it?
Bridgerton
What’s it about?
Adapted from the first novel in Julia Quinn’s hugely popular series, season one of this sexy drama follows Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she enters Regency London’s competitive marriage market. Meanwhile, a Gossip Girl-esque character named Lady Whistledown keeps tabs on their activities and reports on them accordingly.
There’s loads of sex, incredible costumes, and a fiery romance between Daphne and a fine specimen of a man named Simon Bassett (Regé-Jean Page who, sadly, will not be returning for the next instalment).
How many seasons are there?
One, with a second currently in production and at least two more already greenlit.
Where can I watch it?
The Crown
What’s it about?
This historical drama follows Queen Elizabeth II from the time she officially becomes Queen as a 25-year-old, through her relationship with Prince Phillip, the birth of their children and the various ups and downs of her time at the throne.
The most recent season spans 1979 to the early 1990s and includes Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as prime minister and Prince Charles’s marriage to Lady Diana Spencer. The fifth and sixth seasons, which will close the series, will cover the Queen’s reign into the 21st century.
How many seasons are there?
4 are currently streaming and there will be two more after that.
Where can I watch it?
The Handmaid’s Tale
What’s it about?
In short, the stuff of nightmares.
The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in what used to be America but is now called Gilead, thanks to a bunch of religious extremists who have overthrown the government and forced any fertile women into sex slavery in order to bear children for the Commanders and their wives.
Women who can’t bear children, or who refuse to comply, are either murdered very publicly or sent to a nuclear wasteland to work until they quickly die.
The series (which I recommend you watch with a stiff drink) centres around one Handmaid in particular — June (Elizabeth Moss) — who leads a rebellion against her oppressors and attempts to be reunited with her husband and child from who she was ripped when the war began.
Based on the Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, this one is not for the faint of heart.
How many seasons are there?
4, with a fifth coming.
Where can I watch it?
SBS On Demand.
Lovecraft Country
What’s it about?
Based on Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name, Lovecraft Country follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he meets up with his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) to embark on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father (Michael Kenneth Williams).
This series is executive produced by Jordan Peele who has a proven knack for exploring the reality and brutality of racism in America through the lens of horror.
How many seasons are there?
Controversially, just one. HBO US declined to pick the series up for a second season, despite the first being critically acclaimed.
Where can I watch it?
Pose
What’s it about?
Pose begins in 1980s New York as the AIDS epidemic is ravaging the LGBTQIA+ community.
With many Queer youths having been kicked out of their homes due to their sexuality, they find refuge in the colours, costumes and chaos of weekly Balls — which were, and continue to be, a place where members of the LGBTQIA community — predominantly African-American and Latinx — could convene to unapologetically be themselves as they walked in various categories in order to win prizes at the events. The underground ball scene is actually where the term “voguing” originated, before being made internationally known thanks to Madonna’s 1990 hit.
The show is inspired by true events and features the largest cast of transgender actors ever to appear as series regulars on a scripted show, including Indya Moore as Angel, MJ Rodriguez as Blanca Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson as Elektra Abundance, Hailie Sahar as LuluAbundance, and Angelica Ross as Candy Abundance.
How many seasons are there?
Three.
Where can I watch it?
The Mandalorian
What’s it about?
The Mandalorian is set in the Star War’s universe after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travels of a lone gunfighter, Din Djarin, in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.
The series takes place about five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and follows Djarin as he is hired by remnant Imperial forces to retrieve the child Grogu but instead goes on the run to protect him. While looking to reunite Grogu with his kind, they are pursued by Moff Gideon, who wants to use Grogu’s connection to the Force.
How many seasons are there?
Two, with a third in production.
Where can I watch it?
This Is Us
What’s it about?
This tearjerking series follows the Pearson triplets — Randall, Kate and Kevin — in the past, present and future as they grapple with love, life and the loss of their beloved father, Jack.
The show explores themes of depression, pregnancy, grief, addiction, self-love, family and death and while the shuttling between timelines can get a little confusing, the deeply relatable narrative keeps it on track.
How many seasons are there?
Five, with a sixth and final season to come.
Where can I watch it?
The 2021 Emmys will air on FOXTEL’s Arena as well as FOXTEL Go and FOXTEL Now, live at 10am and then again at 7.30pm, Monday, September 20 on FOX ARENA.
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