Golden Globe Nominations – TV
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 12:12PM The television choices from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were announced this morning along with their film picks. While it is true that over half of last year’s eligible TV nominees are back, that only represents four performers since most shows didn’t return in 2020. There’s plenty of good news but also some peculiar omissions from the same series, which got nominated in some categories but not others. Here’s the list and some analysis, after the jump…
Best TV Series – Drama
- · The Crown
- · Lovecraft Country
- · The Mandalorian
- · Ozark
- · Ratched
The big surprise here is that Perry Mason, which scored only for actor Matthew Rhys, didn’t make the cut. I had predicted Ratched, which performed better than expected with two acting bids (which makes me happy – I think the show is terrific). I had resisted the notion of The Mandalorian making it in for its second season, but here it is, the only nomination for the show, along with freshman series Lovecraft Country, which didn’t spread the love to any of its cast members after four of them were cited by the Critics Choice Association (CCA). This is the first time Ozark is nominated in this category, and it did almost as well as it could have with three actors honored. The Crown, back for its fourth nomination, is the nominations leader with six bids even though Tobias Menzies got left out. Interestingly, the eligible Killing Eve got booted for season three.
Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama
- · Jason Bateman, Ozark
- · Josh O’Connor, The Crown
- · Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
- · Al Pacino, Hunters
- · Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason
I was just thinking about Hunters last night but did not anticipate it earning a nomination today. Pacino was definitely acting and doing something worth watching on that show, and it’s nice to see a very early 2020 series and performance recognized. Odenkirk returns after a few years off, nabbing a spot I thought would go to Sterling K. Brown. It’s good to see O’Connor after he missed most of the awards circuit last year, and this is the third overall nomination for Rhys, who shows up every other year, previously for The Americans. The only nominee from his show for its first two years, Bateman is now in good company with his costars and show listed. The predicted inclusions who didn’t make the cut were Jonathan Majors and Pedro Pascal.
Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama
- · Olivia Colman, The Crown
- · Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
- · Emma Corrin, The Crown
- · Laura Linney, Ozark
- · Sarah Paulson, Ratched
I found myself doing mental gymnastics when this category was announced to figure out which “C” last name came first. It’s always a toss-up if and how Killing Eve will be included, and Comer held on to her spot even with her show being expelled from the top category. Colman is the other returning nominee, joined by costar Corrin. Linney is here for the first time for this series, her first TV bid since season two of The Big C almost a decade ago. I was worried that Paulson would be left off after the CCA shut out her show, but here she is, and with a supporting costar, no less! It’s too bad for Jurnee Smollett, who I thought would be nominated, and anyone with hopes of Bridgerton cracking this lineup is likely disappointed.
Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical
- · Emily in Paris
- · The Flight Attendant
- · The Great
- · Schitt’s Creek
- · Ted Lasso
Say goodbye to the show that could have earned a repeat nomination – The Politician. Instead, welcome four new series (very on-brand with the Golden Globes), and one fan favorite that’s actually never been nominated and still managed to score five overall bids this year.
I’m so delighted that The Great is here following its severe Emmy underperformance. Ted Lasso is wonderful, and The Flight Attendant is also a lot of fun. Emily in Paris is considerably more unexpected, and I didn’t think it had been received so warmly. I’m sad to confirm that my prediction that Ramy would miss here just like it did at the Emmys came true, which is a shame, and it’s also peculiar to see Emmy honorees like Dead to Me and What We Do in the Shadows shut out. Curb Your Enthusiasm not being here is less of a surprise – that show’s strange airing schedule just does not work for this group.
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical
- · Don Cheadle, Black Monday
- · Nicholas Hoult, The Great
- · Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- · Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
- · Ramy Youssef, Ramy
Hello, Don Cheadle! I really don’t think anyone watches his show, but he sure is putting in a lot of energy, so it’s good to see him. Last year’s winner, Youssef, is back, while fellow nominee Ben Platt is not. I’m ecstatic about Hoult, happy that Sudeikis is here, and celebrating on behalf of relieved Schitt’s Creek fans everywhere that Levy has now earned his first-ever Golden Globe nomination. I thought Matt Berry might be here, but his show got no love.
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical
- · Lily Collins, Emily in Paris
- · Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
- · Elle Fanning, The Great
- · Jane Levy, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
- · Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
I didn’t initially notice that Christina Applegate, one of last year’s eligible nominees, wasn’t on this list. It’s so wonderful to see Levy included, especially since her show missed out in the top category. The same goes for Fanning, who I worried might somehow be left off for a show that’s literally all about her. Cuoco is fantastic, and Collins was endearing enough in as much of Emily in Paris as I got through. I’m curious if Globe voters, who tend to prefer shiny new shows, will choose one of the four freshman actresses nominated over O’Hara, earning her first Globe bid this year.
Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie
- · Normal People
- · The Queen’s Gambit
- · Small Axe
- · The Undoing
- · Unorthodox
Note the “anthology series” listed in the name of this category, an important distinction in a year where, Bad Education be damned, there are no TV movies nominated but the five-film Small Axe is. This category actually includes one of the biggest snubs of the day in the form of Mrs. America, which I surely would have kept in place of The Undoing, which performed extremely well. It’s so great to see Normal People after its Emmy snub and Unorthodox since it’s always a toss-up how groups will react to programming that’s partially in a foreign language. Rounding out the category is the wonderful The Queen’s Gambit, a great choice, with a few expected vote-getters like I May Destroy You and The Good Lord Bird left off.
Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie
- · Bryan Cranston, Your Honor
- · Jeff Daniels, The Comey Rule
- · Hugh Grant, The Undoing
- · Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird
- · Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
Here we have what may be the biggest disappointment of the day, especially since the corresponding actress category was announced first. His Emmy-snubbed costar Daisy Edgar-Jones got in, but Paul Mescal didn’t, which is really too bad. I don’t know what Hugh Jackman and Bad Education did wrong that Small Axe seems to have done right – I had expected him to be here. Cranston really doesn’t need awards for a role that’s nowhere near as challenging as Breaking Bad, and I had a feeling that Daniels would be a Globe choice for a solid recreation of recent history. Like both Cranston and Daniels, Hawke managed to score here despite being left off the CCA’s six-wide list, the solo representative for his show, which did get cited in the top category by that group. Grant is in good company with a few of his costars, while, just like at the Emmys, Ruffalo is the only part of his very bleak series nominated.
Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie
- · Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
- · Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People
- · Shira Haas, Unorthodox
- · Nicole Kidman, The Undoing
- · Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
A huge sigh of relief and appreciation for the inclusion of Edgar-Jones, who I had swapped out of my predictions in favor of Michaela Coel, who didn’t show up here. The rest of the list is expected but still mostly worth celebrating. Kidman is always good even if this isn’t her best work, and though Blanchett is somehow the only part of her show cited by this group, she really does give a formidable performance. Haas and Taylor-Joy are both wonderful, and it’s great to see them here.
Best Supporting Actor
- · John Boyega, Small Axe
- · Brendan Gleeson, The Comey Rule
- · Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- · Jim Parsons, Hollywood
- · Donald Sutherland, The Undoing
For some reason, I thought that John Lithgow would score here for the ultimately underperforming Perry Mason, but two other Globe favorites did: Parsons, a bizarre choice as the only representative of his limited series, and Sutherland, whose intense scenery-chewing is surely one of the reasons he made the cut. I wasn’t positive that voters would want to see Trump imitated but they did, hence Gleeson’s inclusion. Boyega appeared as the inarguable lead in one film of his five-episode anthology series, and so I’m not sure how that makes him a supporting player. I also wasn’t positive that Levy would be able to crack this race since comedy performers don’t tend to have all that much luck in the supporting categories, but here he is along with the rest of his cast. I had thought that Tobias Menzies would be along for the ride, even with a reduced role in season four. And where’s Mahershala Ali for Ramy?
Best Supporting Actress
- · Gillian Anderson, The Crown
- · Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
- · Julia Garner, Ozark
- · Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
- · Cynthia Nixon, Ratched
I went through the archives for this category to check and this is the first time in thirty years (!) that there is no limited series or TV movie representation, despite a wealth of potential contenders. I’m most disappointed for Jessie Buckley from Fargo and Marielle Heller from The Queen’s Gambit, though it’s also surprising to see no one from Mrs. America here after Emmy and CCA voters chose the same three actresses. Carter managed to repeat despite a more limited role in season four, joined by her much showier costar, Anderson. Garner finally got noticed for the third season of her show, surely influenced by her back-to-back Emmy wins. I’m happy to see Nixon, even if I might have thought Judy Davis would be a likelier pick from that show. And Murphy is here, ensuring full representation for her series and a chance for that show to go five-for-five here just like it did at the Emmys.
Tomorrow, we get SAG’s list, which I would have said is sure to be different, but who knows. For now, what are your favorite inclusions and most disappointing snubs from these nominations?
Reader Comments (34)
"I may destroy the Globes."
- Cast of Mrs. America
It is egregious, the elephant in the house is that the TV nominees are exceedingly too white, compared to the Movie section.
I am hating Uzo's omission.
Two black men and not a single black woman in sight? This is bullshit. #GlobesSoWhite.
No Mrs. America, bah. Glad to see John Boyega and Ethan Hawke managed nods, though, as theirs were among my favorite male performances.
Happy for Daisy Edgar-Jones, I feel like she deserved just as much recognition as Mescal. But it is weird to see the one without the other.
The I May Destroy You shut out has made me lose all respect for the Globes.
How anyone, of sound mind, can vote The Undoing and Nicole and her prosthetic wrinkles over I May Destroy You and Michaela Coel is beyond me.
Favourite:Nicholas Hoult
Disappointment: Paul Mescal (Haven't watched Destroy You yet)
"I wasn’t positive that voters would want to see Trump imitated but they did, hence Gleeson’s inclusion."
Donald Trump is too irresistible as a character, his life seems pure fiction; still can't believe he was elected President. And moreover, he's got a bigger-than-life personality that attract actors, producers, directors and writers. I wouldn't be surprised if they ever do a musical on Broadway.
And Brendan Gledson and Jeff Daniels are wonderful; were expected nominations.
Happy to see Don Cheadle - Black Monday is very underrated and features nom-worthy performances from Regina Hall and Casey Wilson!
I love Nicole Kidman, but she really shouldn't be here. She, quite literally, wandered around in long coats and widened her eyes every so often. She's one of the best in the business, but she doesn't need this nom.
The Ratched and Emily in Paris noms prove that Netflix, at least at the globes, is the new HBO. They really can get in anything, no matter the quality. It's especially apalling because both Never Have I Ever and Sex Education are far better shows with clearer voices/perspectives than Emily and Ratched.
I remain unconvinced that Emma Corrin is a lead. She's great in the role, but she's supporting whereas O'Connor and Colman are the clear leads of the show. This season, she disappears for episodes on end, and her story is less abut her, than it is about Charles, The Queen, and the family.
Very happy for Jane Levy, who is talented and on a network show.
Micaela Cole is a big snub. Christina Applegate feels missing here as well. Especially because she's been nominated several times without ever winning.
Finally, the Mandolarian inclusion here, and at the Emmys, continues to feel more like a celebration of Disney and all the folks it is employing in the industry rather than a comment on the actual quality of the show.
Abe, I couldn't believe that supporting actress stat, but, yes, it hasn't happened since Piper Laurie won for Twin Peaks in 1991, right as the Gulf War was breaking out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTW0aLG6i6U
I suspect that the Mrs. America women may have canceled each other out in such a jam-packed catch-call category, which I fear may happen again with the SAG nominations tomorrow. And I look forward to Marielle Heller and Jessie Buckley, along with possibly Hope Davis and Noma Dumezweni, and maybe even Letitia Wright, if hard feelings about her COVID comments die down, hopefully making the cut for the Emmys, since longform programming for the rest of the season appears to be sparse.
They really liked American Horror Story: Ratched! But in my opinion there are other supporting players in it that are far better than Cynthia Nixon: Judy Davis, Sophie Okonedo and Jon Jon Briones. Sad for Marielle Heller in Queen’s Gambit.
If you think Ratched is terrific I don't have much to say to you, quite honestly. At least they could have nominated Judy Davis.
Did they not watch BRIDGERTON?
I found Lily Collins in EMILY IN PARIS sooooooooooooooooooooooooo ANNOYINGLY bad.
Cynthia Nixon over Sophie Okonedo? Lmfao
GOOD
Best Actor category for TV comedy/musical - all good choices
With exception of Kidman (and her fab coats), the other four Best Actress noms in Drama are solid
BAD
You can't have NORMAL PEOPLE without Mescal.
THE UNDOING and RATCHED were gawd-awful, high-profile shite.
Lily Collins in EMILY IN PARIS - WTF (Aisling Bea in THIS WAY UP was right there!)
HBC in The Crown - she had literally nothing to do this season but sit and kvetch with her ma.
UGLY
Nothing for Michaela Coel (actress, writer, producer, etc.) is beyond egregious.
Nothing for LOVECRAFT COUNTRY - ridiculous
oops, I meant NO ACTING noms for LOVECRAFT COUNTRY.
I'm just glad Ethan Hawke made it in here, though they were obviously just nominating all the film stars in his category (and Bryan Cranston). But the Globes' tv awards feel like such an afterthought to the main event.
@Dorian-Agreed homes.
@ Keegan @ Pam co-signing everything you said.
Those snubs are terrible.
I hope people are just play acting angry. It's just the f-ing GLOBES of God's sake.
Echo the disappointment at the Michaela Coel. She is a tremendous talent. Hope for a proper US breakthrough soon.
I’m so behind on TV. I watch none of these shows. That said, I think my favourite nomination is Jane Levy. I have liked her since Suburgatory.
@Dorian. What the hell are you talking about? Regina King, last time I checked, was a Black woman. So are: Viola Davis, Andra Day, Celeste Epiphany Waite, Tiara Thomas, and Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson (AKA H.E.R.) Did you just wake up this morning wanting to be angry and self-righteous in a P.C. kind of way or are you joking?
Mescal is THE snub of the year, but happy for Jones. I would have liked to see Cole nominated, even though I found her show bleak and unwatchable. But kudos to "Schitt's Creek," which is my computer and phone screen saver so a little obsessed. Hoping for a repeat of the Emmy sweep.
And a big shout out for another Levy, Jane that is, who in the past 3 episodes, has had to act drunk, high, and depressed...it really is quite the role and she's a knockout.
The shut-out for I May Destroy You, the best show on TV in 2020 by some margin, is dispiriting.
@Joe G
Hear hear on the Sex Education snubbery. Not that I expected it. The show has been absent from all awards despite being one of Netflix's best shows. Guessing it's the high school setting which, as we know, typically turns off older-skewing awards bodies.
I agree that people are way over dramatic about Golden Globe nominations. Just breathe; it's gonna be ok. Even if it was more "important" (the Oscars), they're still useless awards given to rich, famous [mostly hot] people at the end of the day. It really ain't that serious.
WITH THAT SAID...
Michaela Coel missing out really hurt. Can't say I'm surprised considering it's the Globes and the show was probably too intelligent and not star-fucking enough for them, but I wanted her to be nominated everything in sight. Loved her since Chewing Gum and thought this show was brilliant. I'm glad there's a slight uproar about her snub, and hoping it'll propel her to the Emmys next season!
@Joe G.: While Corrin isn't in every episode, the season as a whole is very much about Diana (and Charles). The Queen has individual spotlight episodes, but no arc.
@Daniella: I'm referring to the television categories. And I don't play angry as a performative gesture when I'm actually upset. Get a clue, please.
Put me down for the Ratched love, but I agree -- I would've nominated Judy Davis alongside Cynthia Nixon.
Gillian Anderson was miles better in Sex Education than in the Crown. Thought maybe she'd double-nom this year.
Nicole Kidman fully deserved that nomination for The Undoing, if only for her performance in the second episode, which was remarkable and some of the best acting she's ever done on screen. Watch that episode again, and tell me how many actresses in this business could have run that gamut of emotions so exceptionally? Probably none, because Kidman does this type of thing better than anyone else. Don't take it and her for granted just because The Undoing is basically an airport novel thriller and not something pretending to be more important than it is. We spent years taking Kidman delivering the goods every time out for granted, and it's genuinely annoying to see people who should know better doing it once more. A reminder of TVline naming Kidman performer of the week for her outright astonishing work in episode 2 of The Undoing:
https://twitter.com/TVLine/status/1325091213792391171?s=19
Past two comments are not mine. I dont care about TV
LSS -- so sorry about this. You raised the ire of our resident imposter troll by asking people to be nice the other day. How dare you! ;) just kidding. I'll do my beet to delete as they appear.
Now I am being concern trolled. Give your apology to the real LSS (Me). Who's pretentious enough to not care for TV in its current age? Next thing you know they'll turn me into one of those Don't even own a tv twits.
Seems the same person who fakes 'help i'm being imposted' knows they'll get a response from you at least if the do. Be like me and ignore them.