The Emmy for Outstanding Casting has historically correlated closely with the Emmy for Outstanding Series in each genre category. While new shows typically have an advantage in Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series has lined up with Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series every year this decade. These Emmys are given out during the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony, which occurs one week before the Primetime Emmys on September 5-6th. Out of every category to look out for that day, Outstanding Casting is far and away the most indicative of future Emmys success.
“Widow’s Bay” vs. “Hacks”
Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series has the potential to make a seemingly close race either open-and-shut or even tighter. If “Widow’s Bay” is win-competitive in Outstanding Comedy Series, it should win this category easily. Freshman seasons tend to win this category if they are in the hunt for the Series win, because it’s a much bigger perceived accomplishment to cast a complete TV series ensemble from scratch than to add a handful of recurring actors or guest stars in a subsequent season. Acting support is also a major factor in this category, but considering both “Widow’s Bay” and “Hacks” practically maxed out with acting nominations, I think they’re currently on an even playing field. If “Hacks” loses this category, it wouldn’t be surprising, as it has never won Casting — not even when it won Outstanding Comedy Series for its third season! So should “Hacks” win its first-ever Casting Emmy for its final season and overcome the freshman series bias in this category, it’s almost certainly winning Outstanding Comedy Series. A “Widow’s Bay” win would only mean it’s a strong contender for the top prize, but a loss would all but crown “Hacks” with its second and final series win.
“The Pitt” Will Likely Win
“The Pitt” season 2 will almost certainly win Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. Even though it is a sophomore season of television, season 2 nonetheless added a litany of new actors to its cast. Five of these additions — Sepideh Moafi, Jeff Kober, Tal Anderson, Brittany Allen, and Tina Ivlev — were Emmy-nominated for their performances this season. With 13 total acting nominations, the support is clearly there from the acting branch. It also seems like a shoo-in for Outstanding Drama Series after its dominance at the winter awards and with Emmy nominations, which certainly doesn’t hurt. If any show were to upset “The Pitt” here, it would be “Pluribus.” “Pluribus” is both the only freshman season of television nominated in Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series and the second-most nominated drama of the year. Rhea Seehorn was a given acting nominee, but the fact that Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Jeff Hiller, and Miriam Shor were all nominated as well is nothing to scoff at. It remains to be seen if the passion for “Pluribus” can rival that of “The Pitt,” but if there was any chance of an upset in Outstanding Drama Series, it would need to start here.
“DTF St. Louis” vs. “Beef”
Unfortunately, Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series will not be the most important category announced at the Creative Arts Emmys. As of today, the Television Academy has still not reversed its decision to shift categories like Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, or Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Four out of the seven total “above-the-line” Limited or Anthology Series categories will be announced a week before the Primetime Emmys, which leaves only Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the live broadcast. However, this does not diminish the relevance of the casting Emmy in this race; “Beef” and “DTF St. Louis” can easily split Writing and Directing. The witty, heartfelt writing is the most praised aspect of “DTF St. Louis,” while “Beef” has a particularly visually stunning episode from Emmy winner Lee Sung Jin in “Oh, the Comfort, the Inexpressible Comfort.” However, “DTF St. Louis” could also just benefit from the vote-splitting of two “Beef” episodes in Directing while losing Writing to “Beef” because the latter is stronger in Series. In either case, the casting win becomes crucial heading into the Primetime Emmys. “DTF St. Louis” has a slight advantage on paper, with five acting nominations to “Beef’s” four. The former show also received surprising acting nominations in Richard Jenkins and Joy Sunday, while the latter had a surprising snub in Cailee Spaeny. But given how consistently this category aligns with the Series winner, “Beef” could easily win if the show’s pedigree and the actors involved can carry it. Ultimately, no matter what happens at the Creative Arts Emmys, we will know which show between “DTF St. Louis” and “Beef” is winning.
What do you think will win Outstanding Casting at this year’s Creative Arts Emmys? Do you believe that what wins there will go on to win the Series award at the Primetime Emmys on September 14th? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account, and check out our latest Emmy winner predictions here.
