Before viewers truly dive into the new and returning shows of 2019, it's worth taking a look at the Golden Globe Awards to get a good sense of the kind of programming that stands apart in today's competitive yet thriving TV marketplace, and which shows might be in for an Emmy reckoning later this year. This past Sunday, the 76th annual awards show entertained and inspired audiences by awarding accolades to a good mix of new and buzzy programming, as well as those steadfast dramas that never cease to disappoint. Here are a few of the memorable highlights.
FX's The Americans, the beloved spy thriller show starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, concluded its six-season run last year—a difficult feat for a show in a culture that offers an expansive menu of options for audiences to choose from—and snagged the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series, to the delight of its loyal fans and critics. This was the first year that the show received a nomination in this category, though it previously won in other categories.
In addition, FX collected two accolades for its true crime anthology TV series, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, in the category of Best Television Limited Series, and for Darren Criss who won Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series for his portrayal of the killer who murdered Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace. The Assassination of Gianni Versace also did very well at the Emmy Awards this past September, taking home three wins, and has been praised by the media for its inclusion of LGBTQ themes.
Sandra Oh, leading co-star of BBC America's Killing Eve, took the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series—the first time a person of Asian descent has been recognized with the honor since 1981. Killing Eve made headlines last year for its ability to remarkably increase its viewership over the course of its first season, and for its powerful storyline that focuses on two strong female leads. Oh also leaves her mark as the first person of Asian descent to host the Golden Globes.
Other exciting wins of the night included a first for Patricia Clarkson for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series. She plays opposite of Amy Adams in HBO's psychological thriller, Sharp Objects. Showtime's Escape at Dannemore, which is based on the true story of a prison escape in upstate New York, also garnered a win for Patricia Arquette for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series.
The Golden Globe Awards show is always a great way to start the year and to honor the innovative storytelling from the past 12 months. Directors, showrunners, writers and casts are already hard at work to produce this kind of award-winning programming that reflects a wide range of views and perspectives, and that tells the kinds of diverse stories that never cease to entertain, enlighten, and captivate American viewers.
