The University Observer's Emmy predictions: Deep space, hospital lights, and medieval kingdoms take centre stage
Pluribus: Mary O’Leary
Apple TV’s Pluribus takes on this year’s Emmy’s with a whopping, well deserved, 18
nominations. Released this past winter as the newest addition to Breaking Bad director,
Vince Gillian’s tv show catalogue, Pluribus is by far the greatest show to come out of this
past year - and I would argue, out of the last decade. It might have only just released its first
season, but Pluribus is already unmatched in its writing quality and originality. The show
follows trashy fantasy romance author Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, as everyone
on earth besides her and eleven other individuals becomes part of an alien-induced
hivemind. The show itself tackles themes such as colonization, the concept of
individuality, conversion therapy, and the ethics of human decisions. While watching,
often it felt as if the show was not just celebrating the beauty of human creation but also
the negative aspects of humanity as well. In that sense, Pluribus offers not just an
incredible drama or scifi-mystery; it also celebrates humanity for what it is, both good and
bad. And in a world continuing to be overrun with AI and a growing disregard for the
importance of human connection, Pluribus shows us just how important it is to value
humanity and our ability to choose for ourselves what and who it is that we love.
The Beast in Me: Cillian Howley
Television titans Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys teamed up for Netflix mystery thriller The
Beast in Me. With four prior trophies between its leads, it is no surprise this coalition has
generated nine Emmy nominations including two acting nods. The limited series tells a taut,
twisty tale. Bereaved author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) finds the antidote to her writer’s block when
accused murder and ultrarich developer Niles Jarvis (Rhys) moves in next door. An odd couple
bond is formed that enables the worst in both. Wiggs and Jarvis are written and performed to
the strengths of their stars; Danes is at her best as the neurotic recluse Wiggs whilst Rhys is so
perfectly psychopathic as Jarvis. Rhys is also nominated for acclaimed dark comedy Widow’s
Bay on Apple TV which looks like his best shot this year. Beast itself faces stiff competition
across categories from the second series of Netflix’s own Beef. The previous instalment won
five awards back in 2023 which might make Beast a lesser priority for the streamer. The series
could easily go home empty-handed; the writing and direction break no new ground. Danes,
however, could have a chance at Best Actress in a race that looks wide open.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Giorgio Lunazzi
The original anthology of Dunk and Egg is widely considered one of the best works to come out of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones world and this recent show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has done an amazing job at adapting it. With only six episodes, it never slows down and is the perfect show to binge. On the surface it’s a simple story about rising above your rank and rebellion, but each character is so unique and complicated that it brings an interesting depth to the story.
The chemistry between the two actors for Duncan and Egg is the emotional heart of the tale, but it’s all the supporting characters that make the story so fun and unpredictable. But what makes the world really come alive is the incredible costumes and sets. The Northern Irish landscape is stunning but also perfect for showing the more grounded, rainy and depressing side of Westeros. But if character studies and drama sound too boring, don’t worry, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms puts you straight into the action with the characters and has some of the best jousting since 2001’s A Knight’s Tale.
Alien: Earth: Alan Kelly
It’s no easy feat to take a pre-existing franchise – especially in the wake of Ridley Scott’s
Prometheus and Covenant – and not only breathe new life into it but make it the most
innovative installment since James Cameron’s Aliens (1986). Noah Hawley’s (Fargo) Alien:
Earth, set a few decades before the Nostromo’s doomed mission, at first seems poised to
follow the familiar Alien formula – before spectacularly subverting expectations. The series
earned four Emmy nominations — all in craft categories for Cinematography, Sound Editing,
Visual Effects and Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – but notably overlooked in the acting/writing
categories. The show may be steeped in the lore of the original trilogy but it quickly
establishes its own identity by shifting the focus away from the ubiquitous Xenomorph to
AI/human symbiosis. The premise is terrifying: a child’s consciousness transferred into a
synthetic body with altered intelligence, strength and other capabilities. The show is distinctive for several reasons: the central protagonist Wendy (Sydney Chandler), a synth-hybrid emerges as a sort of Anti-Ripley, the fact that the Xenomorph now has to compete with several other horrors – including a ghoulishly cute squid/eyeball, and the room to explore concepts of innocence, monstrosity, power and culpability. Fans may be heartened with Alien: Earth’s nominations but the show deserves as much recognition in the writing category as both Widow’s Bay and The Pitt. Not unusual for genre storytelling, unfortunately.
Shrinking: Fionn Dixon
Apple TV’s Shrinking is a comedy drama that, quite honestly, is simultaneously as hilarious as it
is deeply depressing. It follows therapist Jimmy, portrayed by Jason Segel, after the loss of his
beloved wife, as he navigates his way through grief in a not-so-legal way for a therapist. Joined by
an eccentric mix of kooky characters, who too provide as much joy as they do melancholy. The
show has been nominated almost twenty times in its three-season run across multiple categories,
yet even with names such as Harrison Ford and Michael J. Fox, it’s failed to pick up awards on
the first two nights of the show. Surprisingly, its Jason Segel who is the true standout star of the
show. As always, the How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall star is outstandingly
hysterical. His comedic timing, delivery, and specific mannerisms truly capture who Jimmy is
meant to be underneath all the pain and sadness he has found himself consistently wallowing in.
His serious acting, often going underappreciated in his other works, excellently balances out his
performance so he is not too over the top, rather a man who consistently uses his wit to distract
others, and mostly himself, from his life.
The Pitt: John O'Connor
The Pitt’s second season was a test of whether the HBO series had found a winning formula - or whether, once the hospital lights turned on again, they would reveal that there was nothing of substance left. Luckily, for both HBO executives and the audience, the second season was a success and continued to show the harsh and violent reality of the health care system in the US while diving deeper into the minds of the staff of Pittsburgh Medical Trauma Centre.
The Pitt garnered 25 nominations for its second season, along with 4 wins at the "craft' Emmys on 5th-6th September, which saw Ernest Harden Jr win his first Emmy as the troubled but loveable Louie Cloverfield. Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Shawn Hatosy received nominations after winning Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Guest Actor respectively in 2025 with Wyle and LaNasa expected to repeat their previous wins.
The two standouts of the season were Brittany Allen, whose devastating performance as the terminally ill Roxie was overlooked by HBO in its awards campaign, prompting the actress to take matters into her own hands and secure a nomination, and newcomer Sepideh Moafi, whose portrayal of Dr Al-Hashimi brought a warmth and quiet vulnerability to the series and earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination.
The Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on September 15th, 1am Irish time.