With 91 submissions, this year’s Best Limited/Movie Directing category at the Emmys will have six finalists when the nominations are announced Tuesday.
There are two series that were directed by a single director and thus submitted the entire projects: Adolescence, directed by Philip Barantini, and Disclaimer, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Both are virtually guaranteed to make the Emmy lineup. The Netflix psychological crime drama, whose episodes are each filmed in one single take, is currently projected to win Best Limited Series, while the Apple TV+ program features the four-time Oscar winner behind the camera, filled with striking images and beautiful cinematography.
For the other contending limited series, submissions ranged from one episode (Dying for Sex and Say Nothing) to four installments (The Penguin and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story). While submitting single episodes is a wise strategy to avoid splitting votes, the latter two shows are arguably more popular. The Penguin had three of its four submissions nominated at the Directors Guild of America Awards, and the Monster anthology secured two slots in this category last season. It’s safe to say at least one from each show will secure a nomination.
For Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, one clear standout is the Michael Uppendahl-helmed episode, “The Hurt Man,” which is filmed in a single room and a single take — a technique favored by the directors’ branch. Additional notable episodes include those by Carl Franklin (“Blame It on the Rain”) and Paris Barclay (“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”), both nominated last season for other projects.
Meanwhile, The Penguin stands as the alternative to Adolescence in Best Limited Series, and it is expected to receive multiple slots in this category. Key episodes include the fourth episode, “Cent’Anni,” directed by Helen Shaver, which explores the backstory of Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti). Other important episodes are the premiere by Craig Zobel and the finale by Jennifer Getzinger, packed with action sequences and intimate character moments. Kevin Bray, director of the penultimate episode, also represents the series Clipped with his nomination.
Say Nothing and Dying for Sex submitted their finales showcasing the directorial talents of Michael Lennox and Shannon Murphy. If these episodes gain enough support, they may join the six nominees.
Other submissions are considered long-shots, including the last two episodes of Presumed Innocent and three episodes of Black Mirror, which has yet to receive directing nominations despite multiple writing nods.
Jeremy Saulnier from Rebel Ridge has a strong chance if the Emmy branch favors a television movie. Oscar nominee Ridley Scott is also a notable contender for his premiere episode “Dope Thief,” which could earn him a nomination if the show gains traction.
Front-runners:
-
Adolescence (Philip Barantini)
-
The Penguin (Jennifer Getzinger, “A Great or Little Thing”)
-
The Penguin (Helen Shaver, “Cent’Anni”)
-
Disclaimer (Alfonso Cuarón)
-
The Penguin (Kevin Bray, “Top Hat”)
-
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Michael Uppendahl, “The Hurt Man”)
See More ...
Potential Spoilers:
-
Say Nothing (Michael Lennox, “The People in the Dirt”)
-
The Penguin (Craig Zobel, “After Hours”)
-
Dying for Sex (Shannon Murphy, “It’s Not That Serious”)
-
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Carl Franklin, “Blame It on the Rain”)
-
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Paris Barclay, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”)
-
Presumed Innocent (Anne Sewitsky, “The Verdict”)
-
Rebel Ridge (Jeremy Saulnier)
Long-shots:
-
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Max Winkler, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”)
-
Presumed Innocent (Greg Yaitanes, “The Witness”)
-
Dope Thief (Ridley Scott, “Jolly Ranchers”)
-
Black Mirror (Toby Haynes, “USS Callister: Into Infinity”)
-
Clipped (Kevin Bray, “Winning Ugly”)
