In a delayed yet dazzling display of glitz and glamour, the 2023 Emmy Awards took centre stage, honouring the television seasons from June 2022 to May 2023, in Los Angeles on January 15.
The 75th annual ceremony was initially set to take place in September 2023 but was postponed due to the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes that began in May and July, respectively.
The winners’ circle was dominated by FX/Hulu’s The Bear, Netflix’s Beef, and HBO’s Succession.
These powerhouse shows clinched the top series prizes in their respective categories, with The Bear claiming the crown for the best comedy series.
Beef secured the title for the best limited/anthology series, while Succession reigned supreme as the best drama series.
Netflix’s Beef emerged as a standout among limited/anthology series, not only winning the series prize but also earning accolades for its lead actors, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.
Their victories at the Emmys followed previous wins at the Globes and Critics Choice Awards, making Wong the first Asian woman to clinch an Emmy for a lead role.
The show’s creator, Lee Sung Jin, also had a triumphant night, walking away with two Emmys for best directing and writing for a limited/anthology series.
The 2023 Emmys were not just about celebrating fresh talent; they also paid tribute to TV legend Carol Burnett.
After winning an Emmy for her 90th birthday special at the Creative Arts Emmys, Burnett presented the best actress in a comedy Emmy to Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary.
This marked Brunson’s first win in the category but her second Emmy, following last year’s triumph for writing for a comedy series.
In a unique and rhythmic acceptance speech, Paul Walter Hauser of Black Bird won the best supporting actor for his role in the Apple TV+ limited series, paying homage to his late co-star Ray Liotta.
The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge seized the Emmy for best supporting actress in a drama series, adding another feather to the series’ cap.
RuPaul’s Drag Race continued its legacy, with RuPaul earning the title of the most-awarded host in Emmy history and the show securing the best reality competition programme for the eighth consecutive year.
The night reached a historic crescendo with Elton John achieving EGOT status, thanks to his Emmy win for the live variety special Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.
The special, showcasing the singer’s final North American concert, was the first live event streamed on Disney+.
To mark the Emmys’ 75th anniversary, casts from iconic TV series like The Sopranos, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Grey’s Anatomy, and All In The Family came together for a nostalgic reunion, presenting awards throughout the ceremony.
The evening was a star-studded celebration of television’s finest moments, old and new.
