When They See Us is a gut-wrenching Netflix miniseries about the Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana and Yusef Salaan, also known as the Central Park Five, exploring their lives and the lives of their families during the case they would bring their young lives to an abrupt halt, the case of the Central Park Jogger. In 1989, these five boys were tried and wrongly prosecuted with a crimes of assault and rape that would later the trajectory of their lives forever. In 2002, 13 years after their sentencing, all five boys were exonerated for their alleged crimes and released from prison.
Created, directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us garnered 16 nominations, including eight nominations for its acting ensemble. Not only could When They See Us lead Netflix to its first series win, it could also deliver a possible historical win for Ava DuVernay as the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for directing.
Below are the categories When They See Us are vying for next week:
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Niecy Nash
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Aunjanue Ellis
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Marsha Stephanie Blake
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Vera Farmiga
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Jharrel Jerome
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Michael K. Williams
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – John Leguizamo
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Asante Blackk
- Outstanding Limited Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special – Ava DuVernay
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special – Ava DuVernay, Michael Starrbury
- Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special
- Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special
- Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or Special
- Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score
The only other Limited Series that’s a serious threat to When They See Us is HBO’s Chernobyl, which garnered an equally impressive 19 nominations. When They See Us and Chernobyl are going head-to-head in 11 categories, and tonight’s Creative Arts Emmys are going to be the true test of which Limited Series is going to win big next weeks main award telecast.
I’m predicting an easy wins for Jharrel Jerome (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie) and Ava DuVernay (Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special). I’d love an Emmy win for Niecy Nash, but she has an uphill battle in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category against Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora) and even Michelle Willams (Fosse/Verdon). I wish she was submitted in Supporting where I think she would’ve had a greater shot at winning.
Even though Outstanding Limited Series isn’t presented until next weeks main telecast, Outstanding Casting in a Limited Series will be presented this evening at the Creative Arts ceremony, and that’ll be the first true test of which Limited Series resonated the most with voters.
I’m not predicting a sweep for either Limited Series like Big Little Lies in 2017, both Chernobyl and When They See Us are set to take home a number of awards this year, but the quetsion remains which series will take home the most? When They See Us and Cherobyl aired this spring right around the voting window, and both achieved widespread critical acclaim from viewers and critics alike. In the battle of When They See Us vs. Chernobyl, my votes go with When They See Us all the way!
Night two of The Creative Arts Emmy Awards continue tonight from Los Angeles. The Creative Arts Emmys telecast airs Saturday, September 21st at on FXX and The 71st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards air Sunday, September 22nd at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Fox.
TV Talk With JWalk 