The Crown, Ted Lasso bag top honours at Emmys 2021

he Crown reigned supreme at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards as the Netflix series won seven awards, including drama series and outstanding actress in a drama series for Olivia Colman’s outgoing stint as Queen Elizabeth II. Apple TV Plus show Ted Lasso, featuring Jason Sudeikis in the main role, emerged the second biggest winner of the premiere television event on Sunday night with four wins, followed closely by Kate Winslet-starrer Mare of Easttown and Jean Smart-starrer Hacks — both HBO series.

After a virtual event last year, the 2021 ceremony was held in downtown Los Angeles outdoors at LA Live entertainment complex and was broadcast in a live telecast on CBS and on Paramount . Cedric the Entertainer hosted the show that ran for over three hours.

The Crown also claimed trophies for writing and directing honours in a drama series for Peter Morgan & Co and swept the entire acting awards in the category with wins for Gillian Anderson (supporting actress), Tobias Menzies (supporting actor) and Josh O’Connor (best actor).

For playing the eponymous character of Ted Lasso, Sudeikis won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. The show, which has been renewed for a third season, was also named the outstanding comedy series. Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein brought laurels to Ted Lasso in the supporting acting categories in the comedy series segment.

Mare of Easttown, a police procedural crime drama, picked up three Emmys for its actors, including series lead Winslet in the outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie. She last won an Emmy for 2011’s Mildred Pierce, another HBO show in which she starred in the title role. Julianne Nicholson, who plays Mare’s best friend in the show, was named the outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie.

The Queen’s Gambit is another entry in the winners’ list, with the Netflix show bagging two Emmys, for outstanding limited series and outstanding direction for a limited or anthology series or movie, for Scott Frank. Actor-writer Michaela Coel won an Emmy award in the outstanding writing for a limited series category for her I May Destroy You. Ewan McGregor was adjudged the outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie for his titular role in Halston. RuPaul’s Drag Race won his fourth award in a row in the category; it marks host-creator RuPaul’s 11th trophy! — PTI

The Proud winners

• Outstanding Drama Series: The Crown
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Olivia Colman (The Crown)
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Josh O’Connor (The Crown)
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Gillian Anderson (The Crown)
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tobias Menzies (The Crown)
• Outstanding Comedy Series: Ted Lasso
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart (Hacks)
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
• Outstanding Limited Series : The Queen’s Gambit
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Kate Winslet (Mare of Easttown)
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Ewan McGregor (Halston)

No diversity THIS TIME

No actor of colour won an award at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards despite a diverse nomination field. Black performers had a strong showing at the Creative Arts ceremony. But on Sunday night nominees of colour failed to win most categories, including all six acting fields. IANS

A worthy tribute for Michael K. Williams

Kerry Washington paid a tribute to The Wire actor and Lovecraft Country star Michael K. Williams while presenting the supporting actor in a drama series category award. Washington called Williams a “brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being, who has left us far too soon.” Nominated in the supporting actor in a drama category for his role as Montrose Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country, the actor was considered the frontrunner before his death earlier this month at age 54. IANS