Selena Gomez, Saoirse Ronan, Reese Witherspoon, and other stars stepped onto a red carpet in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday as Hollywood luminaries prepared to celebrate the best of television at the annual Emmy Awards.
Shogun, a series about a power struggle in the 17th century with most of the dialogue in Japanese, was no sure thing. It had been in development for years before it came together with elaborate sets, makeup, and costumes and storytelling that impressed critics with its attention to detail.
“It was a great surprise” when Shogun was showered with Emmy nominations, star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada said on the red carpet. “We believed in the audience, their intelligence, their curiosity for our culture,” he added. “We are so happy they are enjoying it.”
Sunday’s ceremony takes place just eight months after the last Emmys, which aired in an unusual January slot because of disruptions caused by Hollywood labor strikes. Schitt’s Creek father/son duo Eugene and Dan Levy will host the festivities. Producers have promised cast reunions from shows past, such as Happy Days, and other moments to celebrate the history of television.
Nominated for her role in Only Murders in the Building, Selena Gomez graced the red carpet in a custom black silk-and-velvet Ralph Lauren gown. The dress was embellished with over 600 diamond-cut crystals, paying homage to Art Deco elegance. Not only was Gomez stunning, but she also made history as the most-nominated Latina producer with her third consecutive nod for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Country singer Jelly Roll was scheduled to perform during the night’s In Memoriam segment. “I’m the only musician here,” he said on the red carpet. “I’m like a kid in a candy store. I just met the cast of Shogun. I’m losing my mind.”
Ahead of the ceremony, Shogun had already set records. It won 14 trophies—the most ever for one season of a drama series—at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys, where awards were given for guest actors and crafts such as cinematography .Competitors for best drama include British royal family saga The Crown and spy thriller Mr. & Mrs. Smith from Amazon’s Prime Video.
The Bear is competing with its second season, the one that featured a widely praised episode about a disastrous family holiday gathering. Ayo Edebiri, nominated for her role in The Bear, dazzled in a custom Bottega Veneta outfit. Her red, black, and yellow ensemble featured a high leg slit, paired with black strappy heels. “We just tried our best to do what we did the first season and just stick together, be a unit, listen to each other, and just play with each other,” The Bear star Ayo Edebiri said on the red carpet.
Meanwhile, Irish actor Saoirse Ronan supported her husband Jack Lowden, who was nominated for Slow Horses, in a chic navy blue ensemble with a dramatic draped sleeve.
HBO’s Hacks, about a 70-something comedienne and a millennial writer, could play the role of spoiler in the comedy category. Due to the timing of their seasons, the shows have never competed head-to-head at the Emmys.
The night was also marked by powerful statements, such as Reservation Dogs star and Emmy nominee D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who arrived with a red handprint over his mouth in solidarity with missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Published - September 16, 2024 06:22 am IST