From ‘Abbott Elementary’ to ‘Yellowjackets,’ 10 New Shows That Could Crash the 2022 Emmys

It’s finally April, which means that the film awards season has ended, which means it’s time for Emmy season to begin, honoring the best in television of the past year (well, from June 1 of last year until May 31). A big difference between the film and television awards season is that most films that are considered awards-worthy usually come out from September to December of a given year, while television shows come out year-round and don’t really fall into a specific set of dates that are considered “awards friendly” like films so often do, nor do they have the breadcrumbs of precursors the way that film awards season does.

This doesn’t mean that there isn’t strategy when releasing shows that networks/streamers will want to push. Spring sees the beginning (and ends!) of series that are trying to push themselves closer to the Emmy eligibility end date, hoping to maximize the chances of staying in audiences’ minds and on the lips of Television Academy members. With the end of the eligibility period coming soon, it’s time to look at ten shows that have come on recently or will premiere soon before the eligibility date.

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Abbott Elementary might have premiered in December, but it will be finishing its freshman season about a month before the Emmys eligibility period ends – a great spot to still be very fresh to audiences and Television Academy members. The series from Quinta Brunson has proved to be a ratings hit for ABC, with the second episode able to bring ABC back to Modern Family numbers. The last time ABC had a hit comedy like this (MF), it went on to win Outstanding Comedy Series five times in a row. This series is going to be a contender in a few categories, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Abbott nabbed multiple nominations in the comedy categories.

American Auto (NBC)

Another comedy that premiered in December but just recently finished its first season is NBC’s American Auto. Coming from Superstore creator Justin Spitzer, Auto follows a newly appointed CEO, played hilariously by Ana Gasteyer, that has moved from the pharmaceutical industry to the automotive industry. While Superstore never got its due with the Television Academy, American Auto could be Justin Spitzer’s way into the Emmys. It would most likely be a contender for Leading Actress in a Comedy Series, and perhaps not much else, as every category is stacked this year. It would be a welcome surprise for this series to do well come nominations.

The Gilded Age (HBO Max)

An examination of old money and new money, HBO’s The Gilded Age comes from Emmy winning creator of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes. Downton Abbey received multiple Emmy nominations and two wins throughout its run, so that could help predict how The Gilded Age will do. While this show might be a little too decadent to be nominated in Outstanding Drama Series, it will surely be a contender for its cast, namely Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski, not to mention the barrage of Tony-winning Broadway legends that grace its supporting case. The series could also be a big contender for Writing in a Drama Series, as Fellowes has been nominated in that category a couple times before. It will also be a contender in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Julia (HBO Max)

An HBO Max comedy that just premiered on March 31, Julia chronicles the life of Julia Child and her show ‘The French Chef’. Coming in at such a late stage in the eligibility period could prove to be a good strategy by HBO Max, who will surely be pushing two-time BAFTA TV Award winner Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax) for her leading performance as Julia Child. Lancashire delivers a charming performance, but it will be an uphill battle to get her into the Leading Actress in a Comedy category because the category is so filled this year. This show will probably not be able to make it into the Outstanding Comedy Series race this year, but it should still be considered. This doesn’t seem like the type of series that will bring big competition to the directing and writing categories for comedy, so Leading Actress in a Comedy Series might be its best shot at a nomination.

Life & Beth (Hulu)

Amy Schumer had an interesting month in March. Her new series, Life & Beth, premiered on Hulu and she also co-hosted the Oscars (but at this point, who’s really talking about the hosts of the Oscars?). Schumer’s series about coming to terms with the death of a family member while life falls apart all around you could bring her another Emmy nomination in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category, a category she hasn’t been in since 2015 for her variety series Inside Amy Schumer. If the Television Academy is really taken with the series, they could also honor Schumer in the writing and directing categories for the series. Michael Cera co-stars but would be considered a long shot at getting a nomination.

Our Flag Means Death (HBO Max)

From HBO Max and Taika Waititi comes Our Flag Means Death, which follows a wealthy man whose midlife crisis takes him into the path of being a pirate. Our Flag Means Death is a hilarious look at life on the seas, with its entire cast giving charming performances. But could charming be enough to get the series into the Emmys? It’s tough to say but being a little “out there” with its humor could help the series (as it does with Waititi’s other series What We Do in the Shadows, which has been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series). Rhys Darby, who leads the cast, could be in consideration for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. It’ll be interesting to see if the Television Academy embraces this show like they have What We Do in the Shadows, but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.

Pachinko (AppleTV+)

Apple just made history by becoming the first streamer to take home Best Picture at the Oscars. They also took home Outstanding Comedy Series last year at the Emmys for their hit show Ted Lasso. Could they find themselves competing in the drama categories this year? Possibly. Having just premiered on AppleTV+, Pachinko will fit in all its episodes before the end of Emmy eligibility. A multigenerational Korean drama based on the best-selling novel of the same name; the series boasts a cast that includes recent Academy Award winner Youn Yuh-jung (Minari). It could join other possible-nominee Squid Game in becoming the first foreign language series to be nominated in Outstanding Drama Series. The series could also be a threat in the writing category, as well as Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Severance (AppleTV+)

Yet another Apple drama, Severance follows the happenings inside a “severed” office – that is, where the employees don’t know anything about their outer lives while at work. Apple will be pushing several shows for Emmy consideration, so it’s likely at least one of them will stick. Adam Scott leads a great ensemble cast that includes Britt Lower, John Turturro and Patricia Arquette. This series will likely find itself vying for a few categories, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (especially the episodes directed by Ben Stiller). It’s a weird show, but very fulfilling if you stick with it, so it could possibly have a shot in these drama categories. It all depends on how it’s received by the Television Academy and how much Apple pushes it.

Shining Girls (AppleTV+)

Another drama from Apple based on a novel, Shining Girls stars Elisabeth Moss as the victim of an attempted murder from a serial killer that begins to hunt her assailant. The series premiered at SXSW to positive reviews, especially for its leading lady. Moss is no stranger to the Emmys, so look out for her to crash the Leading Actress in a Drama race. Previous Emmy-nominated director Michelle MacLaren (Breaking Bad) helms the first two episodes, so she’ll probably be pushed for Emmy consideration this year for her work. This could be a contender in the directing category as well as Lead Actress, Writing in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Drama Series.

Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Showtime’s Yellowjackets might have ended back in January, but its presence can still be felt on the internet. Season 1 of the drama attracted an audience, growing every week by word-of-mouth and internet memes. The series follows the aftermath of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness and the girls’ soccer team that was on it, while also showing their current lives and how the crash affected them. This series will surely be competing in multiple categories at this year’s Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama (where star Melanie Lynskey recently picked up a Critics’ Choice win), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Showtime will surely be pushing this series hard, so look out for it on the morning of nominations.

Nominations for the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced July 12.