“Succession” solidified its legacy at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, clinching its third Best Drama Series award, while the comedy “The Bear” stood out as the night’s top comedy.
The theme of family dynamics resonated, with both shows dominating the acting categories. The ceremony, originally scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, took place four months later due to strikes in Hollywood.
HBO’s “Succession,” depicting the dysfunctional generations of a troubled media empire, secured the top prize for its fourth and final season. The show also earned accolades for Sarah Snook (Best Actress in a Drama) and Kieran Culkin (Best Actor in a Drama). Quinta Brunson of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” made history, winning Best Actress in a Comedy, becoming the first Black woman in over 40 years to achieve this feat.
“The Bear,” a dramedy on FX centered around a family and a struggling restaurant, not only won Best Comedy Series but also dominated comedy acting categories. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach claimed awards for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.
Matty Matheson, a real-life chef from “The Bear,” spoke on behalf of the show during the awards. Brunson’s win added to the night’s historic moments, with Steven Yeun and Ali Wong of “Beef” also making history as the first Asian Americans to win in their categories. “Beef” took home the award for Best Limited Series.
“Succession” and “The Bear” collectively won 16 Emmys, with “Beef” earning eight overall. Notable wins on Martin Luther King Jr. Day included Niecy Nash-Betts, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.”
The ceremony featured emotional moments, with Edebiri and Brunson expressing their joy through tears. The adjusted awards calendar led to some peculiarities, as winners like Edebiri and White secured Emmys for the first season after winning Golden Globes for the second.
Family themes continued with Kieran Culkin’s heartfelt acceptance speech, and older shows took the spotlight with cast reunions and tributes to television history. The 75th Emmys showcased diversity, recognizing the achievements of Black women and Asian Americans, making it a memorable celebration of television excellence.
