Baby Reindeer stars win big at Emmy Awards

The British television series “Baby Reindeer,” known for its polarizing subject matter, has made a significant impact at this year’s Emmy Awards, clinching four prestigious accolades at the ceremony held in Los Angeles.

The show’s creator and star, Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, emerged as a major winner, securing three of the four awards for which the show was nominated. Gadd was recognized for his performances in acting and writing, as well as his role as an executive producer. His co-star, Jessica Gunning, received the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for her role as Martha, a character inspired by a real-life stalking case. Gunning expressed her disbelief and gratitude in her acceptance speech, saying, “Oh my goodness me, blinking heckers. Thank you so much. I honestly feel like I’m going to wake up any minute now and this whole thing has been a dream.”

“Baby Reindeer,” which chronicles Gadd’s harrowing experiences of being stalked and abused within the TV industry, has been one of the year’s most talked-about shows. However, its claim to be based on true events has stirred controversy. The real-life woman purportedly represented by Gunning’s character is currently suing Netflix for defamation, negligence, and privacy violations.

In his acceptance speech for Best Writing in a Limited Series, Gadd reflected on his journey from personal struggles to Emmy success. “Ten years ago, I was down and out. I never ever thought I’d get my life together,” he said. “And then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television. I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere.”

Before the ceremony, Gadd shared with the BBC’s Emma Vardy his views on the media’s focus on the show’s controversies. He mentioned, “The UK media has concentrated too much on the fallout. The past has happened, and the show has had a phenomenal impact. It’s been number one in countries like Lebanon and Qatar, places where you never thought it would break through. It’s had a cross-cultural impact that very few shows achieve.”

In the comedy categories, “The Bear” was a standout, winning three acting awards. Jeremy Allen White was named Best Comedy Actor for his portrayal of Carmy, marking his second consecutive win in this category. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas also took home awards for their supporting roles, with Colon-Zayas visibly moved to have triumphed over esteemed competitors like Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett. “To all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing, and vote – vote for your rights,” she urged during her speech.

Despite its acting accolades, “The Bear” lost out on the Best Comedy Series award to “Hacks,” which centers on the dynamic between a veteran comedian and her younger writer. “Hacks” star Jean Smart won Best Comedy Actress, marking her third Emmy win for the role and her sixth career Emmy overall. She edged out “The Bear’s” Ayo Edebiri, who had won the award the previous year.

In drama, Elizabeth Debicki earned her first Emmy for Best Drama Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the final season of “The Crown.” However, “The Crown” did not win any additional awards, making Debicki’s win the show’s only accolade.

Japanese historical epic “Shogun” was a dominant force in the drama categories, adding four Emmys to its tally after a record-setting 14 wins at the Creative Arts Emmys. The show made history as the first non-English language series to win Best Drama Series. Lead acting awards were also won by Japanese actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. Executive producer Justin Marks thanked the show’s supporters, including Disney, Hulu, and FX, for backing such an ambitious project. Sanada, who also served as a producer, expressed his gratitude in Japanese, acknowledging the global appreciation of the series.

In other notable wins, Billy Crudup secured the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for “The Morning Show,” and Jodie Foster won Best Actress in a Limited Series for “True Detective: Night Country.” British talent was also celebrated with John Oliver winning Best Scripted Variety Series and Will Smith taking Best Drama Writing for “Slow Horses.”

The reality competition category saw “The Traitors” emerge victorious, with host Alan Cumming taking home the award for Best Reality Competition Show and also winning Best Reality Competition Host at the Creative Arts Emmys. Cumming, who has recently been appointed as the new artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland, described the win as a fitting end to a busy week.

Overall, the Emmy Awards showcased a range of remarkable performances and groundbreaking achievements, highlighting the diverse and impactful nature of contemporary television.