73rd Primetime Emmy Awards: Netflix earns first ever series awards as ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and ‘The Crown’ take big wins

Netflix ties CBS’ all time record from 1974 for total wins for a network in a single year with 44

The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards were held tonight and The Queen’s Gambit and The Crown finally brought Netflix its first (and second) series wins in the history of the streamer. The pared down event was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer.

The Crown came in with the most nominations for a drama series (24, tied with The Mandalorian from Disney+, who ended up just the its seven wins from the Creative Arts awards) and came away with 10 wins including the first ever full sweep in Drama Series, Directing, Writing, Lead Actor and Actress, Supporting Actor in the 73-year history of the Emmys. Last year, Schitt’s Creek was the first comedy series to complete that Primetime Emmy sweep of those categories.

The Handmaid’s Tale went 0-21, breaking Mad Men‘s all-time record of 0-17 from 2012. Ironically, both star/starred Elisabeth Moss.

Netflix’s big limited series The Queen’s Gambit only earned two wins tonight but added to its nine wins at the Creative Arts Emmys brought its total to 11, just short of the all-time record of 13 set by John Adams in 2008. But, with the success of The Queen’s Gambit and The Crown, Netflix boosted its overall win total to 44, tying CBS with the all-time record from 1974.

WandaVision (Disney+) blew away everyone in the limited series categories when it came to nominations, with 23 but wound up with a zero wins tonight and only securing its three Creative Arts Emmy wins from last weekend. Mare of Easttown dominated the limited series acting wins with three: Kate Winslet for lead actress, Evan Peters for supporting actor and Julianne Nicholson for supporting actress.

With directing winners Lucia Aniello (Hacks) and Jessica Hobbs (The Crown), this was the first year in Emmy history that both series winners were women. Hobbs is only the fourth woman to win drama director in the Emmy’s 73-year history, after Reed Morano (The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017), Mimi Leder (ER in 1995) and Karen Arthur for Cagney and Lacey in 1985.

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Although it only won a single award, the writing win for I May Destroy You was an historic one: Michaela Coel became the first Black woman in Emmy history to win that award.

“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others…and to in turn feel the need to be constantly visible, for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success—do not be afraid to disappear. From it. From us…And see what comes to you in the silence,” said Coel, who also accepted on behalf of sexual assault survivors.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) and Hacks (HBO Max) took their freshman seasons and ran with 20 and 15 nominations apiece, and winning seven and three, respectively. Lasso took home Comedy Series, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress tonight while Hacks scooped up the writing and directing wins along with lead actress for Jean Hacks, who received the night’s biggest standing ovation.

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Saturday Night Live extended its record as the winningest show in Emmy history at 88 after winning its fourth Variety Sketch Series Emmy in a row. The 46-year old program also has the most nominations of any show at 252. Other repeat wins were in store for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which won its 6th Emmys in a row for Outstanding Variety Talk Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

With the fourth win for RuPaul’s Drag Race in Outstanding Competition Program, RuPaul Charles breaks the tie with cinematographer Donald A. Morgan for the most Emmy wins by any Black person. He now stands alone at 11 Emmys. RuPaul also broke the record last weekend for most wins for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program with six, in a row.

After a record-breaking year overall in 2020, no people of color won any major acting categories at the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, despite a record number of nominees. Five of the six guest and short form acting winners at the Creative Arts Award were Black.

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Grammy Award-winning R&B Artist Leon Bridges and Academy Award-winning recording artist Jon Batiste (Soul) performed the “In Memoriam” song while band leader Reggie Watts (The Late Late Show with James Corden) served as DJ for the evening, which took place on the Event Deck at L.A. Live, next to the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Here are the complete list of nominees and winners for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Drama Series

The Boys (Amazon Prime Video)
Bridgerton (Netflix)
[WINNER] The Crown (Netflix)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Lovecraft Country (HBO)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Pose (FX)
This Is Us (NBC) 

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Bridgerton (Julie Ann Robinson) – “Diamond Of The First Water” (Netflix)
The Crown (Benjamin Caron) – “Fairytale” (Netflix)
[WINNER] The Crown (Jessica Hobbs) – “War” (Netflix)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Liz Garbus) – “Wilderness” (Hulu)
The Mandalorian (Jon Favreau) – “Chapter 9: The Marshal” (Disney+)
Pose (Steven Canals) – “Series Finale” (FX)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

The Boys (Rebecca Sonnenshine) – “What I Know” (Amazon Prime Video)
[WINNER] The Crown (Peter Morgan) – “War” (Netflix)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Yahlin Chang) – “Home” (Hulu)
Lovecraft Country (Misha Green) – “Sundown” (HBO)
The Mandalorian (Dave Filoni) – “Chapter 13: The Jedi” (Disney+)
The Mandalorian (Jon Favreau) – “Chapter 16: The Rescue” (Disney+)
Pose (Steven Canals, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Our Lady J) – “Series Finale” (FX)

Outstanding Comedy Series

black-ish (ABC)
Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Hacks (HBO Max)
The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
Pen15 (Hulu)
[WINNER] Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

B-Positive (James Burrows) – “Pilot” (CBS)
The Flight Attendant (Susanna Fogel) – “In Case Of Emergency” (HBO Max)
[WINNER] Hacks (Lucia Aniello) – “There Is No Line (Pilot)” (HBO Max)
Mom (James Widdoes) – “”Scooby-Doo Checks And Salisbury Steak” (CBS)
Ted Lasso (Zach Braff) – “”Biscuits” (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (MJ Delaney) – “The Hope That Kills You” (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (Declan Lowney) – “Make Rebecca Great Again” (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

The Flight Attendant (Steve Yockey) – “In Case Of Emergency” (HBO Max)
Girls5Eva (Meredith Scardino) – “Pilot” (Peacock)
[WINNER] Hacks (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky) – “There Is No Line (Pilot)” (HBO Max)
Pen15 (Maya Erskine) – “Play” (Hulu)
Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly) – “Make Rebecca Great Again” (Apple TV+)
Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly) – “Pilot” (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

I May Destroy You (HBO)
Mare of Easttown (HBO)
[WINNER] The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)
WandaVision (Disney Plus) 

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Hamilton (Thomas Kail) – Disney+
I May Destroy You (Michaela Coel and Sam Miller) – “Ego Death” – HBO
I May Destroy You (Sam Miller) – “Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes” – HBO
Mare of Easttown (Craig Zobel) – HBO
[WINNER] The Queen’s Gambit (Scott Frank) – Netflix
The Underground Railroad (Barry Jenkins) – Amazon Prime Video
WandaVision (Matt Shakman) – Disney+

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

[WINNER] I May Destroy You (Michaela Coel) – HBO
Mare of Easttown (Brad Ingelsby) – HBO
The Queen’s Gambit (Scott Frank) – Netflix
WandaVision (Chuck Hayward and Peter Cameron) – “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!” – Disney+
WandaVision (Jac Shaeffer) – “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience” – Disney+
WandaVision (Laura Donney) – “Previously On” – Disney+

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown for This Is Us (NBC)
Jonathan Majors for Lovecraft Country (HBO)
[WINNER] Josh O’Connor for The Crown (Netflix)
Regé-Jean Page for Bridgerton (Netflix)
Billy Porter for Pose (FX)
Matthew Rhys for Perry Mason (HBO)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Uzo Aduba for In Treatment (HBO)
[WINNER] Olivia Colman for The Crown (Netflix)
Emma Corrin for The Crown (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Mj Rodriguez for Pose (FX)
Jurnee Smollett for Lovecraft Country (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson for black-ish (ABC)
Michael Douglas for The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
William H. Macy for Shameless (Showtime)
[WINNER] Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Kenan Thompson for Kenan (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant for Shrill (Hulu)
Kaley Cuoco for The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
Allison Janney for Mom (CBS)
Tracee Ellis Ross for black-ish (ABC)
[WINNER] Jean Smart for Hacks (HBO Max)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Paul Bettany for WandaVision (Disney+)
Hugh Grant for The Undoing (HBO)
[WINNER] Ewan McGregor for Halston (Netflix)
Lin-Manuel Miranda for Hamilton (Disney+)
Leslie Odom Jr. for Hamilton (Disney+)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel for I May Destroy You (HBO)
Cynthia Erivo for Genius: Aretha (NatGeo)
Elizabeth Olsen for WandaVision (Disne+)
Anya Taylor-Joy for The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
[WINNER] Kate Winslet for Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Giancarlo Esposito for The Mandalorian (Disney+)
O-T Fagbenie for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
John Lithgow for Perry Mason (HBO)
[WINNER] Tobias Menzies for The Crown (Netflix)
Max Minghella for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Chris Sullivan for This Is Us (NBC)
Bradley Whitford for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Michael K. Williams for Lovecraft Country (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

[WINNER] Gillian Anderson for The Crown (Netflix)
Helena Bonham Carter for The Crown (Netflix)
Madeline Brewer for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Ann Dowd for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Aunjanue Ellis for Lovecraft Country (HBO)
Emerald Fennell for The Crown (Netflix)
Yvonne Strahovski for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Samira Wiley for The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks)
[WINNER] Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso)
Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso)
Paul Reiser (The Kominsky Method)
Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso)
Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)
Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live)
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Rosie Perez (The Flight Attendant)
Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live)
Juno Temple (Ted Lasso)
[WINNER] Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Thomas Brodie Sangster (The Queen’s Gambit)
Daveed Diggs (Hamilton)
Paapa Essiedu (May Destroy You)
Jonathan Groff (Hamilton”)
[WINNER] Evan Peters (Mare Of Easttown)
Anthony Ramos (Hamilton)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton)
Kathryn Hahn (WandaVision)
Moses Ingram (The Queen’s Gambit)
[WINNER] Julianne Nicholson (Mare Of Easttown)
Jean Smart (Mare Of Easttown)
Phillipa Soo (Hamilton)

Outstanding Competition Program

The Amazing Race (CBS)
Nailed It! (Netflix)
[WINNER] RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Top Chef (Bravo)
The Voice (NBC)

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)
[WINNER] Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Conan (TBS)
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
[WINNER] Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)
The Last Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)

8:46 – Dave Chappelle (Netflix)
Bo Burnham – Inside (Netflix)
David Byrne’s American Utopia (HBO)
Friends: The Reunion (HBO Max)
[WINNER] Hamilton (Disney+)
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (HBO Max)

Outstanding Variety Special (Live)

The 63rd Grammy Awards (CBS)
Celebrating America – An Inauguration Special (PBS)
[WINNER] Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020 (Showtime)
The Oscars (ABC)
The Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show with The Weeknd (CBS)