OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary

Tape A: “Pilot” & “Light Bulb”

Tape B: “Work Family” & “Step Class”

Tape C: “Desking” & “Ava vs. Superintendent”

The Great

Tape A: “Heads It's Me” & “Dickhead”

Tape B: “The Devil’s Lunch” & “Animal Instincts”

Tape C: “Five Days” & “Wedding”

Hacks

Tape A: “There Will Be Blood” & “Quid Pro Quo”

Tape B: “Trust the Process” & “The Captain's Wife”

Tape C: “On the Market” & “The One, the Only”

Only Murders in the Building

Tape A: “True Crime” & “Who is Tim Kono?”

Tape B: “How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?” & “Twist”

Tape C: “The Boy from 6B” & “Fan Fiction”

The Other Two

Tape A: “Chase Goes to College” & “Pat Connects with Her Fans”

Tape B: “Chase Guest-Edits Vogue” & “Chase Gets Baptized”

Tape C: “Pat Gets an Offer to Host “Tic Tac Toe” & “Brooke and Cary Go to a Fashion Show”

Ted Lasso

Tape A: “Goodbye Earl” & “Lavender”

Tape B: “Do the Right-est Thing” & “The Signal”

Tape C: “Man City” & “No Weddings and a Funeral”

AND THE WINNER IS:

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY

This is the first win and nomination for Abbott Elementary in this category. For its first season Abbott Elementary has received seven nominations winning four of them. The show won for Comedy Series, Comedy Ensemble, Supporting Comedy Actress (James) & Comedy Writing. The show was also nominated for Leading Comedy Actress (Brunson), Supporting Comedy Actress (Ralph) & Guest Comedy Actor (Owens).

It shouldn't be no shock for anyone whose followed me closely that Elementary has ended up as overall comedy series winner. The show was such a delight when it first premiered and as it's adoration growing with each week it aired was such a pleasure to experience. What I love most about the show is how fresh and exciting it can be even if the structure follows the traditional situation comedy genre. It also is exciting to award a Network comedy because in an age when streaming services have been dominating a genuine great show building momentum based on quality is something I never expected to happen but was so glad it did.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

Pachinko (Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Min-ha, Soji Arai, Jin Ha, Han Jun-woo, Jeong In-ji, Lee Min-ho, Kaho Minami, Steve Sanghyun Noh, Anna Sawai, Jimmi Simpson)

Severance (Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette)

Squid Game (Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Hoyeon Jung, Anupam Tripathi, Heo Sung-tae, O Yeong-su, Kim Joo-ryoung)

Stranger Things (Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Martie Blair, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Matthew Modine, Paul Reiser)

Succession (Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Juliana Canfield, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Dagmara Domińczyk, Peter Friedman, Jihae, Justine Lupe, Matthew Macfadyen, Dasha Nekrasova, Scott Nicholson, David Rasche, Alan Ruck, J. Smith-Cameron, Sarah Snook, Fisher Stevens, Jeremy Strong, Zoë Winters)

Yellowjackets (Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Ella Purnell, Juliette Lewis, Sophie Thatcher, Christina Ricci, Sammi Hanratty, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole)

AND THE WINNER IS:

YELLOWJACKETS (MELANIE LYNSKEY, SOPHIE NÉLISSE, TAWNY CYPRESS, JASMIN SAVOY BROWN, ELLA PURNELL, JULIETTE LEWIS, SOPHIE THATCHER, CHRISTINA RICCI, SAMMI HANRATTY, STEVEN KRUEGER, WARREN KOLE)

This is the first win and nomination for the ensemble of Yellowjackets.

There were many impressive ensemble in drama series this last year but what has made me choose the cast of Yellowjackets as best amongst them all is just how perfectly both timelines of cast members perform together. Whether it's the younger cast of the past or their older counterparts of the past I for one was never bored by the series and the performers work had a lot to do with this. Another bonus about this cast was how unique each character managed to be adding to the greatness of the series which each episode I tuned into. Even if future seasons don't have the same power as this first did I won't care because I had that much fun with this show and it's excellent ensemble of actors.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary (Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller)

Girls5Eva (Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daniel Breaker)

Insecure (Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Kendrick Sampson, Leonard Robinson, Courtney Taylor)

Ted Lasso (Annette Badland, Kola Bokinni, Phil Dunster, Cristo Fernández, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Nick Mohammed, Sarah Niles, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, Hannah Waddingham)

What We Do in the Shadows (Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch)

AND THE WINNER IS:

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (QUINTA BRUNSON, TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS, JANELLE JAMES, LISA ANN WALTER, CHRIS PERFETTI, SHERYL LEE RALPH)

This is the first win and nomination for the ensemble of Abbott Elementary.

It doesn't get any better than an ensemble working together this past year than the always entertaining actors on Abbott Elementary. What makes this cast so unbelievably strong is no matter which member of the cast is acting alongside each other the show never loses its forward momentum. For example the rare appearances we got of Ralph and Williams working together this season was just as bloody brilliant as the always acting together Brunson and Ralph. Even during these 13 short episodes a strong ensemble was created that I look forward to all they are gonna do together in the future.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Brian Cox as Logan Roy for (“Secession”) in “SUCCESSION”

Jin Ha as Solomon Back for (“Chapter One”) in “PACHINKO”

Lee Jung‑jae as Seong Gi-hun for (“Red Light, Green Light”) in “SQUID GAME”

Bob Odenkirk as James Morgan “”Jimmy” McGill for (“Wine and Roses”) in “BETTER CALL SAUL”

Adam Scott as Mark Scout for (“Good News About Hell”) in “SEVERANCE”

Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy for (“Too Much Birthday”) in “SUCCESSION”

AND THE WINNER IS:

LEE JUNG-JAE AS SEONG GI-HUN FOR ("RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT") IN "SQUID GAME"

This is the first win and nomination for Lee Jung-jae. He wins for his performance as Seong Gi-hun on Squid Game.

As you can probably tell by my choices in the drama acting categories i was in love with a lot of the actors from Squid Game. Lee Jung‑jae plays the first seasons lead and while I might've struggled with some of his characters choices throughout I never struggled with Lee Jung‑jae as a performer. He plays every moment of his character so well and it was such a pleasure to experience during my binge at the end of 2021. In this first episode he really set the template for how Seong Gi-hun was gonna act throughout the entire season and because of his strong work in led to a pretty excellent season of television.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Simone Ashley as Kathani "Kate" Sharma / Lady Kate Bridgerton for (“An Unthinkable Fate”) in “BRIDGERTON”

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart for (“Previously On…”) in “THE GOOD FIGHT”

Min-ha Kim as teenage Sunja for (“Chapter Three”) in “PACHINKO”

Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde for (“Ellie”) in “OZARK”

Melanie Lynskey as Shauna for (“Pilot”) in “YELLOWJACKETS”

Margherita Mazzucco as Elena "Lenù" Greco for (“Cold War”) in “MY BRILLIANT FRIEND”

AND THE WINNER IS:

MELANIE LYNSKEY AS SHAUNA FOR ("PILOT") IN "YELLOWJACKETS"

This is the first win and nomination for Melanie Lynskey. She wins for her performance as Shauna on Yellowjackets.

Melanie Lynskey has been acting for nearly 30 years now and while she has had many great roles that I've been attracted to throughout her career with Shauna in Yellowjackets she has been given another great role to play and it seems more than any it's had the most positive audience interaction. Throughout the entire first season of the show she was a strong centre playing the older version of Shauna that even while I was entertained by the flashback scenes I was always waiting for Lynskey to show back up. This really was a wonderful turn and with this win I'll look forward to the upcoming season to get more of the great Melanie Lynskey.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Paul Bettany as Ian Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll in “A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL”

Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in “THE STAIRCASE”

Andrew Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre in “UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN”

Oscar Isaac as Jonathan Levy in “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE”

Samuel L. Jackson as Ptolemy Grey in “THE LAST DAYS OF PTOLEMY GREY”

Jack O’Connell as Patrick Sumner in “THE NORTH WATER”

AND THE WINNER IS:

OSCAR ISAAC AS JONATHAN LEVY IN "SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE"

This is the second win and nomination for Oscar. He previously won for Show Me a Hero (2016). He wins for his performance as Jonathan Levy on Scenes from a Marriage.

Oscar Isaac's career has had it's ups and downs over the decade of the 2010's but so far the new decade of the 2020's has only had success' for the man with his Jessica Chastain reunion Scenes from a Marriage marking another career high for the gifted performer. This series remake had a lot to live up to based on the reception of the original 70's swedish version and while not as totally captivating as the original none of this lesser quality has to do with Isaac. He really took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster and Isaac proved yet again he is an actor unafraid to play the emotional range present in his characters. It's roles like these I want to see Isaac excelling in which is why I was thankful for the show this year.

P.S. Bonus points to Moon Knight and Isaacs work there. He was great there even if I preferred him Scenes from a Marriage it's still worth mentioning that series.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Jessica Chastain as Mira Phillips in “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE”

Olivia Colman as Susan Edwards in “LANDSCAPERS”

Elle Fanning as Michelle Carter in “THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE”

Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford in “THE FIRST LADY”

Margaret Qualley as Alex in “MAID”

Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes in “THE DROPOUT”

AND THE WINNER IS:

MARGARET QUALLEY AS ALEX IN "MAID"

This is the first win and third nomination for Margaret Qualley. She was previously nominated individually for Fosse/Verdon (2019) and as part of the ensemble of The Leftovers (2016). She won for her performance as Alex on Maid.

Margaret Qualley over the last five or so years has been building a nice amount of good will from me based on the great choices she's made and after many great supporting turns with Maid she was given the leading role she has been deserving of. She had so much to play as Alex and was spectacular throughout the season, this role relied on her having her emotions on full display throughout and Qualley played the trajectory so well that I was emotionally devastated by every moment she was performing. Her chemistry opposite everyone of her co-stars made their work stronger and only showed her excellence even more because she was tasked with so many character relationships to juggle.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Elizabeth Meriwether for (“I’m in a Hurry”), The Dropout

Marcus Gardley for (“Sea Glass”), Maid

Dustin Lance Black for (“When God Was Love”), Under the Banner of Heaven

Sarah Phelps for A Very British Scandal

Mike White for (“Arrivals”), The White Lotus

AND THE WINNER IS:

MIKE WHITE FOR ("ARRIVALS"), THE WHITE LOTUS

This is the second win and fourth nomination for Mike White. He previous won for writing for Enlightened (2013) and was also nominated for acting on Enlightened and this year for directing The White Lotus.

Mike White for over 20 years now has been one of the most individual writers working and when his latest White Lotus began airing last summer it was clear the series was totally in line with his unique voice and perhaps his greatest career achievement to this point. White took all his love for complicated flashy series that hook viewers due to a twist and his love for reality television and blended it well into this intoxicating series. The first episode was really strong revealing all the wonderful characters who we'd keep track of throughout the series and it just showcases White's brilliance for creation.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Lisa Cholodenko for (“Star-Crossed Lovers and Things Like That”), The Girl from Plainville

Helen Shaver for (“String Cheese”), Maid

Courtney Hunt for (“Surrender”), Under the Banner of Heaven

David Mackenzie for (“When God Was Love”), Under the Banner of Heaven

Mike White for (“Arrivals”), The White Lotus

AND THE WINNER IS:

COURTNEY HUNT FOR ("SURRENDER"), UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN

This is the first win and nomination for Courtney Hunt.

Under the Banner of Heaven was one of those series that had been hotly anticipated the entire television season and when the show premiered with it's first three episodes at the end of April I like many was thankful that the anticipation was succeeded and the show was not disappointing. Choosing any episode of the series as the best directed was going to be a challenge because there was such great directing on the show but what made me choose Hunt in the end is her episode contains the most memorably directed sequence for me. The tense standoff which opens the episode was spectacularly shot with each movement adding to the tension and eventul victory by the cops. Hunt really led this episode very well making for one of the greatest hours of the past television year.

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES/SPECIAL

Adele: One Night Only

A Black Lady Sketch Show

Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Ziwe

AND THE WINNER IS:

ZIWE

This is the first win and nomination for Ziwe in this category. This year it also won variety performance and was nominated for variety directing, writing and original music and lyrics.

The above Chet Hanks interview was the moment I knew Ziwe would be winning my variety top award. Seriously this interview was so incredible that I've watched it so many times and never grown bored of it. While there is no announcement currently for a third season of the show i hope to god it does get renewed because TV will not be the same without it and I'll miss it dearly.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES/SPECIAL

Jerrod Carmichael for “JERROD CARMICHAEL: ROTHANIEL”

Ziwe Fumudoh for “ZIWE”

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes for “OSCARS (2022)”

Robin Thede for “A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW”

Bowen Yang for “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE”

AND THE WINNER IS:

ZIWE FUMUDOH FOR "ZIWE"

This is the first win and seventh nomination for Ziwe Fumudoh. She was previously nominated for starring in, producing, songwriting & writing Ziwe (2021) and also writing and songwriting for the same show this year.

Ziwe is one of those shows that I adore each week in airs and while it's episode count amounts to six episodes a season I love every minute of it waiting patently for a year to pass so we get a new season. Ziwe Fumudoh is one of the main reasons to tune into the show and even more so in this second season she turned it up to 100 and was spectacular with each guest that I wanted episodes to never end. 

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM

The Amazing Race (“We’re Back!”)

Nailed it! (“History in the Baking”)

RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars (“Rudemption Lip-Sync Smackdown”)

Survivor (“Game of Chicken”)

Top Chef (“Primal Instincts”)

AND THE WINNER IS:

SURVIVOR ("GAME OF CHICKEN")

This is the fifth win and seventeenth nomination for Survivor in this category.

The year in between season 40 and 41 was a deeply upsetting time for me as I didn't have the comfort of Survivor on the television to entertain but thankfully this season we got two great seasons acting as a sort've return to form for the show proving that even 20 years into it's airing it could still be an excellent show.. The show's 42nd season was an especially wonderful season made even greater by the eventual winner who easily ranks amongst my favourite of all time. There were many great moments throughout the season that truly made for a stunning piece of entertainment and great series to tune into every Wednesday night.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Nicholas Hoult as Peter III of Russia for (“Heads It's Me”) in “THE GREAT”

Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage for (“Open and Shut”) in “ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING”

Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless for (“The Wellness Center”) in “WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS”

Martin Short as Oliver Putnam for (“How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?”) in “ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING”

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso for (“No Weddings and a Funeral”) in “TED LASSO”

Drew Tarver as Cary Dubek for (“Pat Hosts Just Another Regular Show”) in “THE OTHER TWO”

AND THE WINNER IS:

MARTIN SHORT AS OLIVER PUTNAM FOR ("HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS?") IN "ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING"

This is the first win and nomination for Martin Short. He wins for his performance as Oliver Putnam on Only Murders in the Building.

Martin Short is a staple in the comedy world and for decades has always been a great presence in whatever comedy work he was starring in. With Only Murders in the Building this past year he was given the space to perform in a way that has him performing at his best being entertaining every second of the series. There were so many moments for Short to shine but no hour was better than the seasons third episode and it's theatrical investigative space having Short go balls to the wall humorous. Short and Martin proved such a great team together on this first season but for me Short slightly bests him with hismore wild turn all season long.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues for (“Pilot”) in “ABBOTT ELEMENTARY”

Kaley Cucou as Cassie Bowden for (“Drowning Women”) in “THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT”

Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great for (“A Simple Jape”) in “THE GREAT”

Renée Elise Goldsberry as Wickie for (“Album Mode”) in “GIRLS5EVA”

Jean Smart as Deborah Vance for (“The Captain's Wife”) in “HACKS”

Heléne Yorke as Brooke Dubek for (“Pat Gets an Offer to Host “Tic Tac Toe”) in “THE OTHER TWO”

AND THE WINNER IS:

HELÉNE YORKE AS BROOKE DUBEK FOR ("PAT GETS AN OFFER TO HOST "TIC TAC TOE") IN "THE OTHER TWO"

This is the first win and second nomination for Heléne Yorke. She was previously nominated for The Other Two (2019). She wins for her performance as Brooke Dubek on The Other Two.

Again another stacked category is Leading Actress in a Comedy Series that even the women I left off my list would've been worthy winner choices in this category. What made me pick Yorke as my winner is that this most recent season of The Other Two was all about Brooke with many of the best moments of the season involving her. I could've chosen any episode from this to highlight her greatness but what made me pick this episode was the hilarity of the constant cutting back to the lyft cars and how brilliantly Yorke delivered these dumb moments from Brooke. Yorke truly is incredible as Brooke that I look forward to more season with her given the show is confirmed to come back for a third season some time soon.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Alec Berg for (“710N”), Barry

Lucia Aniello for (“There Will Be Blood”), Hacks

Gillian Robespierre for (“How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?”), Only Murders in the Building

Charlie Gruet for (“Brooke and Cary Go to a Fashion Show”), The Other Two

Ezra Edelman for (“Do the Right-est Thing”), Ted Lasso

AND THE WINNER IS:

EZRA EDELMAN FOR ("DO THE RIGHT-EST THING"), TED LASSO

This is the first win and nomination for Ezra Edelman.

Ted Lasso season 2 had all the charm and excellence that the first season had and because of a longer season the show expanded many of the ensembles plot and one of those great expansions this season was with Sam. This winning direction episode was the first episode which fully fleshed out Sam giving him the central story and in collaboration with Edelman the director it made for such a heart filled episode this season. The episode had many elements you'd expect from the show but what i appreciated about Ezra's work comes from his documenterial career where he follows subjects which comes across in this episode with how closely the characters are captured. Brilliant work by Edelman earning this prize.

OUTSTANDING WRITNG FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Quinta Brunson for (“Pilot”), Abbott Elementary

Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky for (“Quid Pro Quo”), Hacks

Stephen Markley & Ben Philippe for (“The Boy from 6B”), Only Murders in the Building

Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider for (“Pat Connects with Her Fans”), The Other Two

Jane Becker for (“No Weddings and a Funeral”), Ted Lasso

AND THE WINNER IS:

QUINTA BRUNSON FOR ("PILOT"), ABBOTT ELEMENTARY

This is the first win and nomination for Quinta Brunson.

Abbott Elementary and it's success is one of those quality built success stories that I love happening during a season of television because it builds a fandom based only good word of mouth. Quinta Brunson the shows creator with her writing for the pilot episode really built a strong structure that would carry on throughout the rest of the season. The strong ensemble of characters were so well formed based on her writing and the situational comedy aspect of the show was so strong that everything in the pilot continued throughout the season. It's very easy to list a pilot as the best episode of a first season show and Brunson really did some great work to earn this prize from me.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Park Hae-soo as Cho Sang-woo for (“VIPS”) in “SQUID GAME”

Matthew MacFayden as Tom Wambsgans for (“All the Bells Say”) in “SUCCESSION”

Lee Min-ho as Koh Hansu for (“Chapter Seven”) in “PACHINKO”

Tramell Tillman as Seth Milchick for (“Defiant Jazz”) in “SEVERANCE”

Anupam Tripathi as Ali Abdul for (“Hell”) in “SQUID GAME”

O Yeong-su as Oh Il-nam for (“Gganbu”) in “SQUID GAME”

AND THE WINNER IS:

PARK HAE-SOO AS CHO SANG-WOO FOR ("VIPS") IN "SQUID GAME"

This is the first win and nomination for Park Hae‑soo. He wins for his performance as Cho Sang-woo on Squid Game.

There were many ways I could've gone when awarding a winner in this category because honestly every single nominee in this category was worthy of being named the winner. What led me to choosing Park Hae‑soo as my eventual winner was when I think back on the best moments of Squid Games first season most of those moments involve him and that is what separated him from the pack of many worthy winners. He made for a great secret villain to the season. He acted great opposite every one of his co-stars and while his presence was cut short of reaching with the end his presence was made which made me award him as the winner.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN DRAMA SERIES

Jung Ho-yeon as King Sae-byeok for (“Hell”) in “SQUID GAME”

Kim Joo-ryoung as Han Mi-nyeo for (“The Man with the Umbrella”) in “SQUID GAME”

Christina Ricci as Misty for (“Flight of the Bumblebee”) in “YELLOWJACKETS”

Rhea Seehorn as Kimberly “Kim” Wexler for (“Carrot and Stick”) in “BETTER CALL SAUL”

Sarah Snook as Siobhan “Shiv” Roy for (“Going For What it Takes”) in “SUCCESSION”

Youn Yuh-jung as Kim Sunja for (“Chapter Three”) in “PACHINKO”

AND THE WINNER IS:

YOUNG YUH-JUNG AS KIM SUNJA FOR ('CHAPTER THREE") IN "PACHINKO"

This is the first win and nomination for Youn Yuh-jung. She wins for her performance as Kim Sunja on Pachinko.

I like many fell in love with Youn Yuh-jung two years ago when she went on to Oscars success with Minari. (My 2020 Supporting Actress Winner) How grateful I was to have this series came so soon after that film awards season she had because it provided her with another great role to play. She is one of the three actresses tasked to play the series central role and whenever the series moved into the present story line and focused on her I was so into everything she was doing. Yuh-jung has such an expressive face that even the most miniscule emotional changes are so readable on her face. It really was an excellent turn especially in the seasons third chapter which had many great scenes of history for Yuh-jung to play.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Kogonada for (“Chapter One”), Pachinko

Hwang Dong-hyuk for (“Red Light, Green Light”), Squid Game

Shawn Levy for (“Chapter Four: Dear Billy”), Stranger Things

Lorene Scafaria for (“Too Much Birthday”), Succession

Karyn Kasuma for (“Pilot”), Yellowjackets

AND THE WINNER IS:

KOGONADA FOR ("CHAPTER ONE"), PACHINKO

This is the first win and nomination for Kogonada.

Pachinko was one of the series that prior to about a month before it's premiere on Apple TV+ I was not familiar with it and when I pressed play for the first time on the series I was over the moon in love. The first episode directed by Kogonada was an especially great episode of television to behold this season. So many beautifully captured visuals that have stuck with me months are watching the episode. Kogonada really brings his concentrated direction from his films to this series and it's such an impressive package to experience.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Thomas Schnauz for (“Plan and Execution”), Better Call Saul

Soo Hugh for (“Chapter One”), Pachinko

Andrew Colville for (“In Perpetuityl”), Severance

Jesse Armstrong for (“Secession”), Succession

Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson for (“Pilot”), Yellowjackets

AND THE WINNER IS:

JESSE ARMSTRONG FOR ("SECESSION"), SUCCESSION

This is the first win and nomination for Jesse Armstrong.

Everyone who knows the modern TV landscape knows that Succession is one of the greatest television shows currently airing. In this most recent third season the show got off to a fierce and fiery start with an episode entirely dedicated to the speed at which each member of the Roy family could try come out on top. This episode was full of so many great moments of dialogue mostly over the phone as Kendall tried to build his base post his end of season 2 decision. In watching the episode I'd be shocked if someone else not to choose it as the best written episode of the TV season.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Naveen Andrews as Sunny Balwani in “THE DROPOUT”

Murray Bartlett as Armond in “THE WHITE LOTUS”

Billy Howle as Allen Lafferty in “UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN”

Nick Robinson as Sean in “MAID”

Colton Ryan as Conrad “Coco” Roy III in “THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE”

Steve Zahn as Mark Mossbacher in “THE WHITE LOTUS”

AND THE WINNER IS:

MURRAY BARTLETT AS ARMOND IN "THE WHITE LOTUS"

This is the first win and nomination for Murray Bartlett. He wins for his performance as Armond on The White Lotus.

Murray Bartlett is an actor I'm partially familiar with having seen him be wonderful in things like Looking and Tales of the City recently. With White Lotus he was gifted such a wonderfully wicked role by Mike White. Bartlett was such a star on this show that him being the connective tissue between all the dramatic plot lines of the show was such a pleasure to experience. He delivered this fully rounded person so effectively that when his character reached it's tragic end I was such an emotional wreck because i had been properly entertained for weeks and all I can say is thank you to Bartlett for his wonderful work.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Nicole Beharie as Kate in “SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE”

Jennifer Coolidge as Tanya McQuoid in “THE WHITE LOTUS”

Kaitlyn Dever as Betsy Malm in “DOPESICK”

Andie Macdowell as Paula in “MAID”

Anika Noni Rose as Regina in “MAID”

Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey in “THE WHITE LOTUS”

AND THE WINNER IS:

JENNIFER COOLIDGE AS TANYA MCQUOID IN "THE WHITE LOTUS"

This is the first win and nomination for Jennifer Coolidge. She wins for her performance as Tanya McQuoid on The White Lotus.

Jennifer Coolidge is one of those character actresses who has been in many projects and been wonderful wacky in everything she's done and it has taken until The White Lotus this past television season to give her the material to finally get everyone to give her justly deserved flowers. The entire ensemble of White Lotus was excellent throughout but no one ruled as much as Coolidge did. Her unique performance style was excellently showcased by Mike White in his created Tanya McQuoid. With the news of her return to the shows second season I'm sort've excited for her return even though I believed her performance and arc were completed by this wonderful Coolidge performance this pst year.