This article originally appeared in Sellebrity, Volume 1, Number 1.
The nominations for the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards have just been announced, but with so many shows currently on the air, it can be difficult to watch all of them. Luckily, more and more shows are available to stream on various platforms. Below are some highlights of this year’s Emmy-nominated shows and where they can be streamed.
Atlanta
Where to Stream: FX (Hulu in 2018)
This freshman comedy, created by writer, actor and musician Donald Glover is the only new comedy to be nominated this year and it is easy to understand why. Glover captivates the audience as a struggling father living in Atlanta. At the show’s beginning, Earn (Glover) is working a dead-end job at the airport when he attempts to manage the burgeoning music career of his cousin Alfred who goes by the name “Paper Boi” (Brian Tyree Henry). Throughout the series, there are subtle yet intelligent cultural critiques, including an episode that presents the audience with a black Justin Bieber. Atlanta is nominated for 6 Emmys.
Big Little Lies
Where to Stream: HBO Go
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Australian author Liane Moriarty, the HBO limited series Big Little Lies delves into the seemingly perfect upscale beach town of Monterey, California. The story follows the lives of four women as they navigate raising children and struggle with their romantic relationships while also delivering a juicy murder mystery. The show, nominated for 16 Emmys, raises questions of perfection, parenting and marriage while also examining the complexities of female friendship and stars Academy Award winning actresses, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman along with a stellar cast that delivers incredible performances each episode.
Black Mirror
Where to Stream: Netflix
This British science fiction show was revived by Netflix in 2016 after being off the air for two years. Each episode focuses on a different cast and setting, all of whom live in a futuristic society that shows audiences the dark side of technology and a life defined by it. The Emmy nominated episode titled “San Junipero” stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis as two women falling in love while vacationing in a virtual world. The series attempts, successfully to examine modern society through an exaggerated society. Black Mirror is nominated for 3 Emmys.
Fargo
Where to Stream: Hulu
Nominated for 16 Emmys, this dark comedy crime drama is still going strong. Based on the Coen Brothers’ Academy Award-winning film of the same name, Fargo wrapped its third season in June and audiences are hoping a fourth is in the cards. Enlisting a new cast each season, Fargo focuses on the lives of different residents each season dealing with a new murder. The show depicts a different year each season, being set in 2006 in Season 1 and in 1979 in Season 2. With twists, turns and quirky characters, Fargo will not only keep your attention; it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Crown
Where to Stream: Netflix
Based on the award-winning play by showrunner Peter Morgan, The Crown recounts the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. Nominated for 13 Emmys, including Best Drama & Best Actress for Claire Foy who plays Queen Elizabeth II, The Crown delivers precision in detail and an excellent script that focuses on truth rather than speculative history. The show is expected to run for 6 seasons and delves into each stage of the queen’s life, including romances & political rivalries. Each season is dedicated to a decade of The Queen’s reign and has been nothing short of captivating.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Where to Stream: Hulu
Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in the fictional totalitarian society of Gilead. Once part of the United States, Gilead is ruled by a regime that has made women property of the state. Gilead is also plagued with quickly decreasing birth rates and environmental disasters. Due to these circumstances, the last remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women is Offred (Elizabeth Moss), who is determined not to let her situation break her and to find her way back to her daughter. The critically acclaimed drama is nominated for 13 Emmys.
The Night Of
Where to Stream: HBO Go
With 13 nominations including best actor nominations for both Riz Ahmed and John Turturro, The Night Of is a must-see. The HBO limited series tells the story of Pakistani-American college student Nasir “Naz” Khan, whose fun night out takes a tragic turn when a young woman he meets is found dead. As Naz waits for his arraignment, he must learn to trust his attorney (Turturro) and figure out how to survive on Rikers Island.
This Is Us
Where to Stream: Hulu
With its back-to-basics focus on family, This Is Us was the top rated new show of the year. This Is Us follows a group of people, most of whom have the same birthday, as they navigate parenthood, marriage, and sibling relationships. This group of seemingly random individuals are revealed to be intertwined in unexpected ways. This is a no-frills family drama with heart and will remind viewers of shows like Parenthood and Friday Night Lights. You will shed tears and laugh out loud, and by the end, you will understand why This Is Us has captivated audiences and earned itself 11 Emmy nominations.
Silicon Valley
Where to Stream: HBO Go
Silicon Valley follows computer programmer Richard (Thomas Middleditch) and his friends as they chase their dreams and attempt to find success in Silicon Valley. The group of friends live together in a startup incubator run by millionaire Erlich Bachman (T.J. Miller), who allows the group to live in his house rent-free in exchange for a stake in the projects. When Richard figures out an algorithm, the group must figure out, in a series of hilarious events, how to monetize it and strike gold in the high-tech gold rush. Recently rapping in its fourth season in June, the show is still holding strong and is nominated for 10 Emmys this year.
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA on September 17th.