Image via HBO
No matter how hard you try, TV lovers always fall into the same AWARDS SZN cycle: they have a list of shows and limited series they know they need to watch but never actually end up getting to. Part of it is the changing landscape of how television is being fed to us. The main part? There's just too much television out there to be up on everything, which leads to the main problem while watching the Emmys: not knowing what the HELL these shows are that are potentially scooping up all of these awards.
Based on the 2018 Primetime Emmys winners, we have a feeling that you'll be up on some of these shows. Hell, everyone with HBO access (or access to real friends with HBO Now) watched Game of Thrones end its run, and series like NBC's This Is Us, black-ish on ABC, HBO's Veep and Netflix's Ozark have dedicated fans that have been riding for these series. That leaves the playing field wide open for some of the smaller series on Showtime, Hulu, and Amazon; even a series like Killing Eve, which airs on BBC America and AMC, has had to fight for the dedicated following it now receives. That said, we know how it is, and with the 71st Primetime Emmys airing on Sunday, September 22, 2019, you have some time if you were really trying to get acquainted with what many consider to be the cream of the television crop.
Today, we've selected 10 of the most talked-about series among TV critics, some you might be up on, some you may have never even realized were even out. We're covering all ground, from your favorite streaming services to consistent cable networks that pride themselves on bringing you quality. Now it's on you to get your binge on.
'When They See Us'
Network: Netflix
Notable Episode: "Part Four"
One of the toughest—and most important—watches of 2019 is without a doubt Ava DuVernay's When They See Us. Revisiting the Central Park Five case (and its aftermath), DuVernay assembled a stellar cast to tell the tale of the five boys who became men living under a horrific system that consumed them. The fact that any of them survived this ordeal is a miracle; the pain and trauma they endured during their trial and incarceration (as well as their readjustment to society upon release) is all on the screen. It's a wake-up call for anyone who wants to know what happens when they truly see us. Kudos to Jharrel Jerome, who should walk away with something when the night is over.
'Sharp Objects'
Network: HBO
Notable Episode: "Falling"
Big Little Lies director Jean-Marc Vallée directing an Amy Adams-led miniseries based on a novel by Gillian Flynn? HBO had it in the bag off of those names alone, but Sharp Objects more than delivered. A journalist with her own demons takes a trip home to investigate a string of disappearances. From small-town social politics to Camille (Adams) having to deal with her own traumatic childhood is an intoxicating mix, one that features a number of stellar performances and an ending that will have you thinking twice about the series you just took in long after it's over.
'The Act'
Network: Hulu
Notable Episode: "Teeth"
Joey King proved she was a wonder in the first season of Hulu's The Act. The story, which brought the terrible true crime story of Gypsy Rose and her mother Dee Dee to life, is more heartbreaking than you can imagine, even if you've seen the HBO documentary and the original Buzzfeed article that this whole ordeal was introduced to much of America through. King's performance as Gypsy Rose was layered; she was a part of a number of "acts," all in the name of survival and freedom. The truth is always stranger than fiction.
'Black Monday'
Network: Showtime
Notable Episode: "365"
Coke-fueled Wall Street bros (led by Don Cheadle) circa the 1980s maneuvering through the system, trying to secure every dollar they can? Showtime's fast-paced Black Monday was a slept-on comedy that was based on the real-life stock market crash from 1987, and with Cheadle giving his all as the conniving Maurice Monroe, the series showed the ins and outs of a truly insane period in American culture. Regina Hall didn't receive any nominations, but she held her own in a room full of insane stock bros. Well worth the dive.
'Barry'
Network: HBO
Notable Episode: "ronny/lily"
You really should be up on Bill Hader's Barry. For a series that could've been one-and-done, Barry really stepped it up for Season 2. The series already took home two Emmys for Season 1 (one apiece for Hader and Henry Winkler), but the second season, which took us further into the tangled web that Barry (Hader) weaved trying to find his footing as an actor, is well worth it. Episodes like "ronny/lily" (which Hader is nominated for as a director) showcase the comedy and the violence that make this series soar, but Sarah Goldberg (who was nominated for supporting actress) has a compelling arc as well. One of the best series of 2019.
"Fosse/Verdon"
Network: FX
Notable Episode: “Nowadays”
FX is no stranger to Emmy-worthy material, and Fosse/Verdon, which details the tumultuous working (and personal) relationship between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, continues in that path. Not only is it up for a limited series Emmy, but stars Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams (alongside rising star Margaret Qualley) received noms as well. If you're into the behind-the-scenes madness between a couple who helped change the landscape of entertainment in America, this is one series that should be at the top of your watch list.
'Dead to Me'
Network: Netflix
Notable Episode: "Pilot"
While we might bemoan what binge culture is doing to television, Netflix's Dead to Me did it best. The series, which stars Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as two women dealing with life after loss, was as emotional as it was hilarious. Applegate and Cardellini both shine throughout the series, which takes full advantage of the notion of "let me just watch one more episode." Secrets get revealed, friendships are forged (and tested), all making Dead to Me one of 2019's best surprises.
'Russian Doll'
Network: Netflix
Notable Episode: "Alan's Routine"
If you haven't seen Russian Doll, which is essentially Groundhog's Day for drunken NYC residents, you've heard of it. The series, which was created by and stars Natasha Lyonne, has us following Nadia (Lyonne) as she's trying to figure out why she keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday. It's a premise that might (at first) feel better suited for a movie, but the deeper you get into the logistics of her scenario, and the world it creates, you're hooked. You've seen this before (hell, Happy Death Day isn't that old), but Lyonne and company found a unique way to present and develop their tale. With eight ~30 minute episodes, you really have no reason to sleep.
'Succession'
Network: HBO
Notable Episode: "Hunting"
For all of the people who assumed HBO would be dead in the water post-Thrones, shows like Succession have done a lot to pick up the slack. While we're in the midst of a stellar second season, it's important to remember that Season 1 has snagged five nominations itself. It makes sense; the hilarious drama surrounding a family full of people trying to figure out who's going to run their multimedia conglomerate is not one to miss. The twists and turns the tale takes, featuring talents like Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and others, is appointment television.
'Pose'
Network: FX
Notable Episode: "Never Knew Love Like This Before"
FX's Pose is a necessary series, especially for a culture that borrows so much from the ballroom scene. With Season 1 taking it back to the '80s, Pose gave viewers a glimpse of life within the black and brown "Houses," and helped make Billy Porter a household name (his performance as Pray Tell has earned him an outstanding lead actor nomination). With two acclaimed seasons completed, Pose is showcasing a unique part of American culture.
