‘Lessons in Chemistry’ is on track to complete this Emmy trifecta for Apple TV+
After finding success in the comedy series and drama series categories at the Emmys, thanks to “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” respectively, Apple TV+ may finally book its long-sought ticket to the limited series race with “Lessons in Chemistry.” The eight-part period drama based on Bonnie Garmus‘ bestselling novel of the same name currently sits in second place in our (very early) limited series odds, trailing only “Fargo” (“The Regime,” “True Detective: Night Country” and “Shogun” round out the top five in that order).
If you’re having flashbacks to last year, you’re likely not alone. Boosted by a summer 2022 release that gave it a head start in the race, stellar audience reception and Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards wins for Paul Walter Hauser, “Black Bird,” another Apple TV+ title, was also widely predicted to land in the limited series lineup. But despite nabbing four nominations in total, including three for acting, the true crime drama missed in series. “Lessons” now has some of the same factors seemingly going for it: It debuted early — with two episodes on Oct. 13 — is well liked by audiences and was embraced, albeit not victorious, by Critics Choice and the Globes. Not to mention, it’s also expected to be a strong acting player, per our odds, which have it pegged for three bids, for Brie Larson in lead (third place) and Lewis Pullman (second place) and Aja Naomi King (second place) in supporting.
But the big difference between “Lessons” and “Black Bird” at this point in the race is that “Lessons” has already proven to have broad industry support. While “Black Bird” was shut out of every major guild save for the Screen Actors Guild Awards — where it picked up mentions for Taron Egerton and Hauser — en route to the Emmys, “Lessons” has been cited at almost every one, including the Directors and Producers Guild of America and American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards and SAG. Not just that, but it’s already pulled off a surprise victory for Sarah Adina Smith at DGA, overcoming a triple vote-split in the limited series/TV movie category.
Whether that guild support will carry over to the Emmys, where “Lessons” faces a much more competitive field, remains to be seen. But helping its case is that in the past five years, at least two of the five limited series slots have been filled by shows that aired in the first half of the Emmy cycle. And as opposed to “Black Bird,” which was eclipsed by other early birds (no pun intended) with a stronger guild presence — including eventual series nominees “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” “Fleishman Is in Trouble” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” — “Lessons” probably doesn’t need to worry about being overshadowed by other 2023 releases. It’s the only 2024 limited series contender to have hit all four of ACE, DGA, PGA and SAG, and is one of just three to have hit at least two of them. The other two shows are “Fargo,” which, as an anthology series, was forced to submit in drama at DGA and missed, and “All the Light We Cannot See,” which was AWOL at ACE and SAG and is currently in 15th place in our odds.
With all that said, “Lessons” isn’t Apple TV+’s lone horse in the limited series race. The streamer’s pool of hopefuls includes another 2023 release, “The Crowded Room” (20th place in our odds), as well as “Masters of the Air” (seventh place), which premiered on Jan. 26, and upcoming releases “Franklin” (18th place) and “Manhunt” (25th place). But what may help “Lessons” stand out against its stablemates is that it’s the sole female-fronted program of the bunch and the only series that isn’t based on or inspired by real events. And given that “The Crowded Room” has so far been blanked by the guilds, “Lessons” is also entering the race as the only contender that’s already on the awards menu.
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