The Television Academy recently announced this year's Emmy nominees, and it's another opportunity to discover great storytelling and fascinating characters. Although many of the major-award categories recognized original works created for the small screen, several notable memoirs, nonfiction works, and novels inspired shows that were nominated, which you can listen to and enjoy now.
Among the many talented folks who were acknowledged, veteran actor Sheryl Lee Ralph received her first nomination for her standout performance as Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary. Once again, Rachel Brosnahan and Tony Shalhoub were both nominated—each for the fourth time—for their performances on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Bob Odenkirk nabbed one for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Better Call Saul, as did Elle Fanning for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in The Great. And Saturday Night Live held on to its title as the most Emmy-nominated series in history with another nine Emmy nominations, including nods for Bowen Yang and Kate McKinnon for Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series—bringing its total to 315 since it premiered in 1975.
Now we just have to wait until September 12 to see who takes home a statue during the star-studded awards show. In the meantime, congratulations to all of this year's nominees!
Kaley Cuoco was nominated for a second time for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Cassie, a binge-drinking flight attendant who travels the globe, witnessing murders, having run-ins with spies, and engaging in plenty of other wild, life-threatening antics. Based on Chris Bohjalian's book, the HBO Max series is big on plot twists and fantasy sequences in which Cassie (now sober) has internal struggles in her "mind place" as the body counts rise.
Mary Lou Belli was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for this hit BET+ show based on comedian Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams's memoir, which tells the story of growing up in a troubled Atlanta neighborhood during the height of the crack epidemic. By 15, Williams was a mother of two and determined to make a better life for her children. Now, she's the star of her own sitcom, which tackles controversial topics—abortion, drug addiction, racism, child abuse—while also bringing heart and humor to each 30-minute episode.
The hard-hitting drama, based on journalist Beth Macy's definitive account of America's opioid epidemic, traces the greed that led to the overprescription of painkillers. It has been nominated for 14 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Lead Actor (Michael Keaton), Supporting Actor (Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Will Poulter), Supporting Actress (Kaitlyn Dever and Mare Winningham), Directing, and Writing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Dustin Lance Black spent 10 years adapting Jon Krakauer's bestseller about a grisly double murder that rocked a fundamentalist Mormon community in 1980s Utah. Now, Andrew Garfield, the star of the FX original limited series, has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Based on the Killing Eve series by Luke Jennings, the show—starring Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri and Jodie Comer as assassin Villanelle—has concluded after four seasons, once again nabbing nominations for both its leads for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
The Netflix series is based on journalist Stephanie Land's story, in which she describes the years she worked in low-paying domestic work under wealthy employers. Along with being recognized for Outstanding Directing and Writing, the show's star, Margaret Qualley, was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Brian Stelter's book about what it takes to win the morning TV ratings wars inspired the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, which has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress (Reese Witherspoon), Lead Actor (Billy Crudup), and Guest Actress (Marcia Gay Harden) in a Drama Series.
