“Succession” won best drama series, “The Bear” won best comedy, and both dominated the acting awards at Monday night’s Emmys, while Quinta Brunson scored an emotional and historic win for “Abbott Elementary.”
“Succession,” the HBO saga of a squabbling wealthy family and maladjusted media empire, won its third best drama series prize for its fourth and final season, along with a best actor in a drama award for Kieran Culkin and best actress in a drama for Sarah Snook.
“The Bear,” the FX dramedy about another contentious family and a struggling restaurant at the center of the life of a talented chef, won best comedy series for its first season. The Emmys also heaped honors on its acting cast, naming Jeremy Allen White as best actor in a comedy, best supporting actress in a comedy for Ayo Edebiri and best supporting actor in a comedy for Ebon-Moss Bachrach. All three were first-time nominees.
“This is a show about family and found family and real family,” Edebiri said from the stage as she accepted the first trophy of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Brunson won best actress in a comedy at the Emmy Awards for the show she created, “Abbott Elementary,” becoming the first Black woman to win the award in more than 40 years and the first from a network show to win it in more than a decade.
“I love making ‘Abbott Elementary’ so much and I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy,” Brunson said during her acceptance on the Fox telecast, fighting back tears. The writer-actor was among the stars with standout looks on the Emmys’ silver carpet.
“Succession” won six Emmys overall including best supporting actor for Matthew Macfadyen.
“Beef” won best limited series, while Steven Yeun and Ali Wong became the first Asian Americans to win in their categories – Yeun for best actor in a limited series and Wong for best actress. Creator Lee Sung won Emmys for writing and directing. It had eight Emmys overall after three wins at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Brunson had won a writing Emmy for “Abbott Elementary,” her mockumentary about a predominantly Black and chronically underfunded grade school in Philadelphia, but this is her first for acting. Isabel Sanford of “The Jeffersons” was the only previous Black woman to win the category in 1981.
The first hour of the show held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day saw three Black women win major awards: Brunson, Edebiri and Niecy Nash-Betts, who won best supporting actress in a limited series for “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.”
On the Netflix show, Nash-Betts played a neighbor of the serial killer whose complaints to authorities about his behavior go unheeded.
“I accept this award on behalf of every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard and over-policed,” she said.
The show was held on the holiday because of a four-month delay over Hollywood’s writers and actors strikes.
“Everybody having fun at the chocolate Emmys tonight?” host Anthony Anderson said during the show. “We are killing it tonight! … This is like MLK Day and Juneteenth all rolled up in one!”
Anderson, who was nominated for lead actor in a comedy seven times without a win for his show “black-ish,” added, “if I was nominated this year, hell, I definitely would have won!”
The tweaked awards calendar made for some oddities. Edebiri and White won their Emmy for the show’s first season eight days after after winning Golden Globes for the second season.
Backstage, a staffer working the Emmys approached White as he was scrolled through congratulatory texts on his phone while waiting to speak in the press room. “I’m a cook myself so this means a lot to me,” he told White before grabbing a selfie with the star.
Culkin outshined the older brother and the father to win the final lead actor Emmy for “Succession.”
Culkin had twice been nominated for best supporting actor for “Succession” without a win. But in the final season, in which his character Roman Roy goes from sideline wisecracker to emotional disaster at the center of the show’s drama, he was put in the lead category and won over castmates Brian Cox, who played his father, and Jeremy Strong, who played his older brother.
Culkin got big laughs during his speech when he told his wife that their two kids weren’t enough.
“I want more,” Culkin said. “You said if I won, we could talk about it.”
Snook took her first Emmy in three nominations for “Succession” and her fictional husband Macfadyen won the second Emmy of his career for playing Tom Wambsgans, the son-in-law that began the HBO series as a hanger-on and ended it as the closest thing it had to a victor on “Succession.”
Jennifer Coolidge, the only cast member among the cursed vacationers of HBO’s “The White Lotus” to return for season two, won her second Emmy for best supporting actress in a drama.
Coolidge and her character Tanya gained an even greater cult following for the second season’s Italian storyline as she did for its Hawaiian first. The role was nearly a lead this time, but all of the “White Lotus” cast members were nominated in supporting categories, including five of them in Coolidge’s category.
Emotions ran high from the start of the ceremony with first presenter, Christina Applegate, who said in 2021 that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, got a standing ovation as she came out using a cane to present the award, and was tearful as she announced the winners.
“The Bear” also won awards for comedy directing and writing, and along with the four it had won at the Creative Arts Emmys, had taken nine overall.
Anderson told the nominees at the beginning of the night that instead of having their speeches cut off by music, his mother, actor Doris Hancox, sitting in the audience, would tell them when it was time to move on. But she more often shouted down her son in the running gag.
“I’m the host!” he yelled back at her at one point.
Honoring TV history was the theme at the 75th Emmys. Anderson opened the show on a “Mr. Rogers” set and performed TV theme songs including “Good Times,” and several cast reunions were spread throughout the show.
Cast members including Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell from “Martin,” Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman from “Cheers,” and Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers from “All in The Family,” performed short bits from recreations of their sitcom sets before presenting awards.
Arsenio Hall appeared on a rendition of his 1990s talk show set, while Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunited to present an award in the form of “Weekend Update,” which they teamed up for on “Saturday Night Live” from 2001 to 2005.
“We’ve reached the stage in life where we’ll only present awards sitting down,” Fey said.
One notable appearance came from Katherine Heigl, who joined Ellen Pompeo and other former “Grey’s Anatomy” cast mates on a hospital room set after leaving the show, now about to start its 20th season, on not the best terms in 2010.
“Yes, there have been changes over the years,” Heigl said with a wry smile, “But the one constant is the amazing fanbase.”
AP writers Krysta Fauria and Leslie Ambriz contributed to this report.
TELEVISION ACADEMY
75TH EMMY AWARDS
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
AYO EDEBIRI as Sydney Adamu
FX
The Bear
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
QUINTA BRUNSON as Janine Teagues
ABC
Abbott Elementary
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
JENNIFER COOLIDGE as Tanya McQuoid-Hunt
HBO MAX
The White Lotus
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
MATTHEW MACFADYEN as Tom Wambsgans
HBO MAX
Succession
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
EBON MOSS-BACHRACH as Richard “Richie” Jerimovich
FX
The Bear
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
JEREMY ALLEN WHITE as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto
FX
The Bear
OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER
HBO MAX
John Oliver, Executive Producer/Host
Tim Carvell, Executive Producer
Liz Stanton, Executive Producer
Jeremy Tchaban, Co-Executive Producer
Catherine Owens, Supervising Producer
Whit Conway, Producer
Kaye Foley, Producer
Laura L. Griffin, Producer
Christopher McDaniel, Producer
Kate Mullaney, Producer
Matt Passet, Producer
Megan Peck Shub, Producer
Wynn Van Dusen, Producer
Marian Wang, Producer
Charles Wilson, Producer
Nicole Franza, Line Producer
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
NIECY NASH-BETTS as Glenda Cleveland
NETFLIX
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
CHRISTOPHER STORER, Directed by
FX
The Bear
Review
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
CHRISTOPHER STORER, Written by
FX
The Bear
System
OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE
MTV
RuPaul Charles, Executive Producer
Fenton Bailey, Executive Producer
Randy Barbato, Executive Producer
Tom Campbell, Executive Producer
Mandy Salangsang, Executive Producer
Steven Corfe, Executive Producer
Michele Mills, Executive Producer
Tim Palazzola, Executive Producer
John Polly, Co-Executive Producer
Thairin Smothers, Co-Executive Producer
Lisa Steele, Co-Executive Producer
Sara Kordy, Supervising Producer
Jen Passovoy, Supervising Producer
Jeremy McGovern, Supervising Producer
Michelle Visage, Senior Producer
Ashlei Dabney, Senior Producer
Michael Seligman, Senior Producer
Alicia Gargaro-Magaña, Producer
Carson Kressley, Producer
Ross Mathews, Producer
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SERIES
DANIEL O’BRIEN, Senior Writer
OWEN PARSONS, Senior Writer
CHARLIE REDD, Senior Writer
JOANNA ROTHKOPF, Senior Writer
SEENA VALI, SENIOR Writer
JOHNATHAN APPEL, Writer
ALI BARTHWELL, Writer
TIM CARVELL, Writer
LIZ HYNES, Writer
RYAN KEN, Writer
MARK KRAMER, Writer
SOFIA MANFREDI, Writer
JOHN OLIVER, Writer
TAYLOR KAY PHILLIPS, Writer
CHRISSY SHACKELFORD, Writer
HBO MAX
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
OUTSTANDING TALK SERIES
THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH
COMEDY CENTRAL
Trevor Noah, Executive Producer/Host
Jennifer Flanz, Executive Producer
Jill Katz, Executive Producer
Justin Melkmann, Co-Executive Producer
Ian Berger, Supervising Producer
Max Browning, Supervising Producer
Pamela DePace, Supervising Producer
Ramin Hedayati, Supervising Producer
David Kibuuka, Supervising Producer
David Paul Meyer, Supervising Producer
Zhubin Parang, Supervising Producer
Elise Terrell, Supervising Producer
Dan Amira, Producer
Jocelyn Conn, Producer
Jeff Gussow, Producer
Brittany Radocha, Producer
Shawna Shepherd, Producer
Beth Shorr, Producer
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
LEE SUNG JIN, Directed by
NETFLIX
BEEF
Figures of Light
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
PAUL WALTER HAUSER as Larry Hall
APPLE TV+
Black Bird
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
JESSE ARMSTRONG, Written by
HBO MAX
Succession
Connor’s Wedding
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
LEE SUNG JIN, Written by
NETFLIX
BEEF
The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech In Pain
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
MARK MYLOD, Directed by
HBO MAX
Succession
Connor’s Wedding
OUTSTANDING VARIETY SPECIAL (LIVE)
ELTON JOHN LIVE: FAREWELL FROM DODGER STADIUM
DISNEY+
Elton John, Executive Producer/Performer
David Furnish, Executive Producer
Luke Lloyd Davies, Executive Producer
Ben Winston, Executive Producer
Gabe Turner, Executive Producer
Sally Wood, Executive Producer
Emma Conway, Executive Producer
Lou Fox, Executive Producer
Sean Alvarez, Executive Producer
R.J. Cutler, Executive Producer
John Foy, Co-Executive Producer
Paul Dugdale, Co-Executive Producer
Saj Patel, Line Producer
Penny LeVesconte, Line Producer
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
STEVEN YEUN as Danny Cho
NETFLIX
BEEF
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
ALI WONG as Amy Lau
NETFLIX
BEEF
OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES
BEEF
NETFLIX
Lee Sung Jin, Executive Producer
Steven Yeun, Executive Producer
Ali Wong, Executive Producer
Jake Schreier, Executive Producer
Ravi Nandan, Executive Producer
Alli Reich, Executive Producer
Alice Ju, Co-Executive Producer
Carrie Kemper, Co-Executive Producer
Alex Russell, Supervising Producer
Jes Anderson, Producer
Savey Cathey, Producer
Inman Young, Producer
Alex Gayner, Producer
Matthew Medlin, Produced by
GOVERNORS AWARD
GLAAD
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
KIERAN CULKIN as Roman Roy
HBO MAX
Succession
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
SARAH SNOOK as Shiv Roy
HBO MAX
Succession
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
THE BEAR
FX
Joanna Calo, Executive Producer
Josh Senior, Executive Producer
Christopher Storer, Executive Producer
Hiro Murai, Executive Producer
Rene Gube, Co-Executive Producer
Tyson Bidner, Produced by
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
SUCCESSION
HBO MAX
Jesse Armstrong, Executive Producer
Adam McKay, Executive Producer
Will Ferrell, Executive Producer
Frank Rich, Executive Producer
Kevin Messick, Executive Producer
Mark Mylod, Executive Producer
Jane Tranter, Executive Producer
Tony Roche, Executive Producer
Scott Ferguson, Executive Producer
Jon Brown, Executive Producer
Lucy Prebble, Executive Producer
Will Tracy, Executive Producer
Dara Schnapper, Co-Executive Producer
Georgia Pritchett, Co-Executive Producer
Ted Cohen, Co-Executive Producer
Susan Soon He Stanton, Supervising Producer
Gabrielle Mahon, Produced by
Francesca Gardiner, Consulting Producer
