Compared with its sister Emmy category, Outstanding Comedy Series, which offers relatively few nomination slots for a new show this year, the race for Outstanding Drama Series truly lives up to its name – with chaos everywhere you look. Of the eight series nominated in this category last year, six – “Shōgun” (last year’s winner), “Fallout,” “The Gilded Age,” “The Morning Show,” “3 Body Problem,” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” – are between seasons and not eligible to complete. A seventh series, “The Crown,” completed its six-season run in 2023. Only Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” has returned to fight another day, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the field is wide open.
No fewer than nine series previously nominated in this category are eligible this year to reclaim their nomination slots, including “Andor,” “The Boys,” “Squid Game,” “Yellowjackets,” “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “House of the Dragon.” While any one of these series has a chance to succeed on nomination morning, the most intense Emmy speculation centers on the remaining three returnees: Apple TV+’s “Severance” and HBO’s “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus.”
Although all eight nomination slots may be scooped up by returning shows, that scenario seems unlikely, given the quality and the heat under a number of this year’s freshman series. Indeed, if only “Slow Horses” and the three returning front-runners make the cut, there may be as many as four potential slots for a new drama series. But if you’re swamped trying to catch up on new episodes of your old favorites and find yourselves running behind on your Emmy homework, here is a list of ten of the best freshman drama series to put on your radar, along with a few comments as to where their awards strength (or weaknesses) lie.
“THE AGENCY” (10 episodes) – Now Streaming On Paramount+
Based on the acclaimed French series, “The Bureau,” this Paramount+ series is set in a gray and dreary London, which also reflects the mood of “Martian” (Michael Fassbender), the code name for a CIA operative who has been unceremoniously pulled out of his undercover job in Ethiopia. His departure also forces him to leave behind his new love, Sami Zahir (Jodie Turner-Smith), who only knows him by a fictional alias. Upon returning to “normal” life, Martian senses something is not quite normal. For one thing, his apartment has been bugged, the reasons for his reassignment remain vague, and suddenly Sami unexpectedly pops up in London. No, things are not normal for Martian at all.
EMMY OUTLOOK: “The Agency” is one of the most curious cases of the awards season. The critical reviews have been solid, and this cast! Besides Fassbender (in his first TV role in 16 years), series regulars include fellow Golden Globe winners Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere, SAG Award nominees Katherine Waterston and John Magaro, and Emmy nominee Harriet Sansom Harris. The series is co-created by Tony Award-winning playwright Jez Butterworth and directed by BAFTA winner Joe Wright and Oscar winner Grant Heslov, with the series executive produced by George Clooney. So, why isn’t anyone talking about this show? Do Emmy voters watch Paramount+? The artists listed above have done their job. Now, it’s up to the show’s awards team to get voters to watch it.
“BLACK DOVES” (6 episodes) – Now Streaming On Netflix
More British spies, but this time, with a twist. Helen Webb (Keira Knightley) is a top operative of the Black Doves, a spies-for-hire outfit that obtains industrial or political secrets by any means necessary and sells them to the highest bidder. Helen is also married (not coincidentally) to Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan), Secretary of State for Defense and confidant of British Prime Minster Richard Eaves (Adeel Akhtar). When Helen’s secret lover is mysteriously murdered, her Black Doves boss Reed (Sarah Lancashire) seeks to protect her by enlisting her old friend, deadly assassin Sam Young (Ben Whishaw).
EMMY OUTLOOK: Set in London during the holiday season, this Netflix series premiered in early December and quickly became the snuggly feel-good bloodbath of the season. It also garnered significant critical acclaim, particularly for the way the series’ twisty plot by series creator Joe Barton manages to switch gears from action to romance to dark comedy without missing a beat, as well as its depiction of how Sam’s gay relationship weaves into his dark work life. Knightley’s performance was particularly lauded, earning Best Actress nominations from both Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards. Emmy voters may very well follow suit.
“THE DAY OF THE JACKAL” (10 episodes) – Now Streaming On Peacock
Even more British spies. Based on the Frederick Forsyth novel and the 1973 Fred Zinnemann film, this remake has been moved up to contemporary times, with a modern Jackal (Eddie Redmayne), an internationally-feared assassin and a master of disguise who is ready to kill whoever is in his way. Circling his every move is MI6 agent Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch), who tries to anticipate his next step in hopes of bringing him to justice. Just as the Jackal is a legend thanks to his mysterious motivations, Bianca is the very model of intellectual cunning.
EMMY OUTLOOK: The series entered the awards conversation just weeks after its premiere, earning Best Drama Series nominations from both the Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards. Redmayne has been nominated across the board as Best Drama Actor from the Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. In addition, the show’s entire cast was nominated for its performance as Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series. These high-profile nominations will certainly help in getting “The Day of the Jackal” on Emmy voters’ “must-see” lists.
“HIGH POTENTIAL” (13 episodes) – ABC, Also Streaming On Hulu
No British spies here. Instead, it’s a good old American crime drama. The series is the latest from Drew Goddard (“The Cabin in the Woods”), so you know there must be a twist, and it comes in the form of its hero: Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olsen), a single mom with three kids who works as a cleaning lady at the LAPD. Morgan also has an I.Q. of 160 and is considered a “high-potential intellectual.” After picking up a murder file while cleaning, Morgan theorizes the motivations and the surprise culprit in the killing. She is immediately offered a job as a consultant to the LAPD, a position she takes only on the condition that the department help her find her ex-husband, who disappeared 15 years ago.
EMMY OUTLOOK: While the show received widespread critical acclaim, its chances for a series nomination would have to be considered a long shot at this point. Its best chances, though, may lie with Olson, who has become a favorite with Emmy voters after her two previous nominations for her other show, “Hacks,” for which she is vying for a third nod in a row.
“LANDMAN” (10 episodes) – Now Streaming On Paramount+
The latest entry in the empire of writer and co-creator Taylor Sheridan, this Paramount+ series focuses on Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a crisis executive with the fictional M-Tex Oil company. Tommy’s job is not an easy one – he must supervise the company’s brawny pump workers while at the same time securing leases for pumping rights from hardball landowners throughout the Southwest, as well as the occasional leader of a Mexican drug cartel. Like many of the series created by Sheridan, “Landman” brings to life the struggles of everyday hard workers in its characters, and he has found the perfect vehicle for Thornton, who brings a world-weariness to his character that few other actors of his caliber could provide.
EMMY OUTLOOK: While there’s an outside chance that the series itself could land an Emmy nomination, the most likely awards play for the show rests with its star. To date, Thornton has already received Best Drama Actor nominations for both the Satellite and Golden Globe Awards, so he is definitely in the mix to nab his second Emmy nomination.
“MATLOCK” (15 episodes) – CBS, Also Streaming On Paramount+
Any viewer who assumes that this “Matlock” is a remake of the old Andy Griffith legal series will get a big surprise when they watch the first episode. True, both the old and new “Matlock” feature at its center an underestimated attorney who somehow always gets to the truth and sees that justice is served. But Kathy Bates’ Madeline Matlock is very well aware of the Griffith series and cites it often to her bemused colleagues. But when the workday is done, and the lawyers head home, Madeline assumes her true persona, and the reasons she was determined to be hired by this particular firm become chillingly clear. This double life that Bates pulls off adds an extra layer of complexity to the show that is as satisfying as it is unexpected.
EMMY OUTLOOK: Bates has already been named Best Drama Actress for both the Satellite and Critics Choice Awards and earned nominations for both the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. A corresponding Emmy nomination (and possible win) seems very likely. Bates’ strength may be enough to land the show a Drama Series nomination, a rarity for a broadcast network show in recent years.
“PARADISE” (8 episodes) – Now Streaming On Hulu
Nine years ago, the pilot episode of the Emmy-nominated drama, “This Is Us,” led audiences into thinking it was going to be one kind of show, only to have the rug pulled out from under them in a shocking plot twist that sent the series into an unexpected direction. That series’ creator, Dan Fogelman, has reunited with his “This Is Us” star Sterling K. Brown for this new drama centering on Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Brown), whose job is the lead protector of charismatic U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). Just as audiences are settling in for a cozy “24”-like political thriller, Fogelman does it again and upends our bearings with an even bigger twist. Its shock value prompted significant buzz on social media over the past few months and is still being discussed.
EMMY OUTLOOK: “This Is Us,” one of the most honored network drama series of the last decade, earned 39 Emmy nominations (and 4 wins, including one for Brown) over its six-season run. Critics have admired Fogelman’s ability to create high-concept twists in his narratives without losing the smaller, more emotional moments between friends and families that hold its audience through every big plot swing. In addition to Brown, Fogelman has cast Emmy nominee Marsden and Emmy winner Julianne Nicholson as his leading trio, which, combined with the show’s word-of-mouth buzz, should entice Emmy voters to give it a try.
“THE PITT” (15 episodes) – Now Streaming On Max
In 1996, John Wells won an Emmy for producing that year’s Outstanding Drama Series, “ER,” the medical drama that was set in the emergency room of an urban Chicago hospital. Wells has now returned to a different ER, this one in Pittsburgh, and has cast one of his ER stars, Noah Wyle, to deal with the chaos as Dr. Robby Robinavitch, the senior attending doctor in The Pitt (as the hospital’s ER is called). The Season 1 storyline lasts 15 hours, with the show’s 15 episodes capturing each consecutive hour from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The clock is unrelenting to the staff, and as the long shifts begin to take their toll on the dedicated doctors and nurses, so does it raise the temperature of the drama that can explode at any moment.
EMMY OUTLOOK: Currently, “The Pitt” is the one new series that holds the hottest hand in the race, with Max smartly doling out new episodes week by week to increase the show’s social media impact. The genre itself works to its benefit: The Emmys have always had a soft spot for medical shows, particularly “ER,” which was showered with 124 Emmy nominations and 23 wins, with Wyle earning 5 Emmy nominations for that series. “The Pitt” may also show strength below the line, with its impressive tech achievements (particularly in its sound, editing, and production design, to name a few), resulting in what may be a formidable awards contender. Expect series, writing, directing nominations, and yet another nomination (and possible win) for Wyle himself.
“WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT” (6 episodes) – PBS
Although “Wolf Hall” originally competed in 2015 in the limited series category (earning 8 Emmy nominations in the process), “The Mirror and the Light,” based on the third book of Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed trilogy, is now battling for a Drama Series nomination. After the execution of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis), the king’s powerful adviser, Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), must calculate his next move carefully as Henry zeroes in on potential wife #3, Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips). “Wolf Hall” stars Rylance and Lewis return, as does director Peter Kosminsky and screenwriter Peter Straughan, who in his spare time just won an Oscar for adapting “Conclave.”
EMMY OUTLOOK: This may be the wild card among the new series hopefuls. Emmy voters responded strongly to the first “Wolf Hall,” as it enjoyed impressive support in above-the-line categories, earning a nomination for Limited Series and Emmy nods for Rylance, Lewis, Kosminsky, and Straughan. But will Emmy voters love it today as they did a decade ago? With “The Crown” gone, this series will likely lock up the royalty vote, but is that enough? It may be just as possible that “Wolf Hall” will go splat with nominations as it is for it to be a great surprise. It promises to be one of the most fascinating stories on nomination morning.
“YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS” (9 episodes) – Now Streaming On Apple TV+
The class pressure of “keeping up with the Joneses” has been at the heart of many a successful series or films, but few attempts at keeping up appearances have been as desperate as that of Andrew Cooper (Jon Hamm) in this Apple TV+ drama. Coop is a successful hedge fund manager who is flying high when he’s unceremoniously fired by his boss as they share a hot tub. Ashamed and desperate to maintain his lifestyle, Coop feels he has no choice but to turn to petty crime, so he robs from the even richer, whose own lives and secrets begin to take a toll on him. Hamm’s cocky charm is put to great dramatic use here as each new job steadily erodes the false front he is presenting to the world.
EMMY OUTLOOK: Hamm, who has earned 18 Emmy nominations in his career, including two just last year, is clearly a TV Academy favorite, so he will likely be the driver to entice Emmy voters to sample the series. The timing of the show will be fortuitous, with the final episode airing just two weeks before Emmy voting starts, so it will be up to the awards team at Apple TV+ (which will have its hands full with both “Severance” and “Slow Horses”) to capitalize on the series’ strong reviews to raise awareness and get word of mouth going.
What do you think are the big, new Emmy contenders this year for Outstanding Drama Series? What are some of your favorite shows you’ve watched for this season so far? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account, and be sure to check out our latest Emmy predictions here. Please also be sure to subscribe to the Next Best Series Podcast where we are conducting a number of interviews with Emmy contenders throughout the awards season and discussing the race over the next couple of months.
