This year’s Academy Awards have receded into the background, paving the way for the unpredictable season of the Emmys. Where does the Emmy season stand in the light of what we witnessed at the 2025 Oscars? In comparison, we can consider The White Lotus as the small-screen equivalent of Anora, whereas, Severance fits as a TV counterpart of the movie, The Brutalist.
Retrospection of the past Oscar season reveals a narrative infused with fascinating twists and turns. We bore witness to an all-inclusive competition that was later disrupted by a contentious episode causing a notable stir. However, it all culminated with an unexpected surprise as a major category witnessed a last-minute change in course.
Discussing Emilia Perez’s instance, it undeniably offered us an important lesson – some actions are simply not worth a repetition. In the wake of misjudging the winning probability of ‘Flow’ or ‘No Other Land’, another well-recorded lesson emerged – never downplay the power of international voters in such prestigious events.
The forthcoming Emmys season, heavily influenced by the Oscars, delivers two significant pointers. First, never belittle the true potential of a compelling Golden Globe acceptance speech. Time and again, it has served as invaluable promotion for the campaigns of celebrities like Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres.
Second, it is pivotal to distinguish between the types of controversies that can actually sway the course of an awards race, and those that are mere chatter. Excluding the unforeseen episode with Emilia Perez, the season’s end was rather foreseeable, with Anora, as projected, coming out on top since the beginning.
As the Emmys landscape starts taking shape, how does it compare to the seemingly indeterminate movie domain from half a year ago? On the comedic front, the contention for top spots appears to be secure with programs like Hacks, The Bear, Abbott Elementary, and Only Murders in the Building leading the way.
Conversely, the drama section seems to be mirroring the diverse and open horizons of the Oscars. Out of eight nominations for the Outstanding Drama Series in the prior year, only Slow Horses is still in the running this year.
Subsequently, a large portion of the series set for a return from multi-year breaks leaves us speculating regarding their current standing. Will a series such as Severance continue to captivate audiences with its sharp intellect and appeal? Can The Last of Us successfully capitalize on its pre-existing momentum?
Similarly, does The White Lotus face the risk of a second-season slump? Is there still potential left for Squid Game and The Handmaid’s Tale to champion the race? Among the new releases, will The Pitt be the surprise break-through show of the season?
As we prep ourselves for the Emmy season, we are facing more uncertainties than certainties. However, these unanswered questions only make the anticipation more exciting. The Emmys have always been full of surprises and this year seems to be no different, making us question if our current predictions might again need a review.
While the parallels drawn between Anora and The White Lotus, and The Brutalist and Severance, do offer some fascinating insight into the correlation between Oscars and Emmys narrative, these comparisons, as history shows, are often not one-to-one correspondences.
What seems like a winning recipe for one may not work for the other. This year’s Emmy season is a playground for both new contenders and those making a comeback after long breaks. Just like its film counterparts, it holds a high degree of unpredictability, inviting us all to keep guessing.
Patterns might emerge, favourites may stumble, dark horses could eventually win – the Emmy season might prove to be as elusive as ever. However, that’s the excitement surrounding these award ceremonies – the thrill of the unexpected.
Taking cues from the Oscar season, navigating the upcoming Emmy season will require us to respect the nuances of the competitions and the powerful impacts of unexpected turns. Judging the feel of the field and the industry buzz will once again be crucial, just as much as recognizing the potential of powerful performances and well-crafted narratives.
At this initial stage of Emmy season, speculations are as wide and varied as the television shows contending in the race. But one thing is clear – the road until the final results promises to be as riveting as the shows and performances themselves. So, let the drama, the comedy and the thrill unfold, as we brace ourselves for another exciting Emmy season.