We predicted back in April that Baby Reindeer was poised to upend the 2024 Emmys, but what we didn’t tell you is that Richard Gadd’s semi-autobiographical Netflix phenom is shaking up TVLine’s Dream Emmy franchise, too.
As we dive into the five Limited Series categories, beginning today with Outstanding Limited Series, we can confirm that Baby Reindeer absolutely made the cut. We can also confirm that that is the only Dream Emmy spoiler we’ll be doling out in this introductory paragraph.
Scroll down to check out all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren’t predictions; they’re wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a “Hell, yes!,” “Um, no” or “How could you leave off such-and-such?!”
For the record, 2024 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 13-24, and unveiled on July 17. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 15, on ABC.
Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:
Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: The rare pop culture phenomenon that wholly deserves its ubiquity, Richard Gadd’s searing autobiographical dark comedy snuck up on us like the stealth gift that it was. Equal parts edge-of-your-seat thriller, wicked dark comedy and brutally honest exploration of trauma, the seven-episode masterpiece was the love child of I May Destroy You and Fleabag we didn’t know we needed. — Michael Ausiello
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: There may come a time when Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy don’t pull off a sweeping, affecting, hair-raising adaptation of a horror classic, but it’s certainly not now. Usher, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s works, matched the duo’s previous Netflix hits in quality, scares and heart, thanks in large part to an excellently cast mix of Flanaverse staples (Carla Gugino, Rahul Kohli, Bruce Greenwood) and newbies (Mark Hamill, Mary McDonnell). The story of a pharmaceutical dynasty becoming the agent of its founding family’s undoing was a pointed, timely and elegant commentary on the dread and terror that arise when greed and desire go unchecked. — Kimberly Roots
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: After a couple of disappointing seasons, FX’s darkly comic crime anthology roared back to life with a triumphant Season 5 that got back to basics with plenty of murders, laughs and superb performances. Juno Temple dazzled us as plucky Minnesota mom Dot Lyon, and Jon Hamm flipped the Don Draper mystique on its head with a chilling turn as macho sheriff Roy Tillman. Delivering a twist-filled narrative and a barrage of high-octane action sequences, this Fargo had us thinking it might be the best season yet. — Dave Nemetz
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: Chronicling the love affair between suave Washington bureaucrat Hawk (Matt Bomer) and the reserved, deeply religious Tim (Jonathan Bailey), the gorgeously shot period drama spun a deeply powerful and illuminating story across multiple decades. From the Lavender Scare of the 1950s to the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s, Fellow Travelers took viewers on a poignant journey through LGBTQ history, shining light on the narratives that are often neglected, such as that of Black journalist Marcus (Jelani Alladin) and drag artist Frankie (Noah J. Ricketts), whose love story was every bit as moving as Hawk and Tim’s. — Vlada Gelman
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: HBO’s crime anthology needed some fresh blood, and it got it with Season 4’s Night Country, with new showrunner Issa López delivering a bold reimagining of the franchise. The bleak and frigid Alaska setting was instantly evocative — López even added a genuinely terrifying horror-movie flair at times — and Jodie Foster was riveting as prickly police chief Liz Danvers, whose tough outer shell began to crumble as the case progressed. We’d gladly bundle up to spend another chilly winter on the Alaskan tundra with this crew. — D.N.
WHY IT DESERVES A NOD: Hulu’s true-crime drama accomplished something rare for the genre: As it examined the real-life death of Canadian teenager Reena Virk, Under the Bridge established a tone of authenticity without feeling exploitative, even as it mined its characters’ grief and trauma deeply. By casting age-appropriate teenage actors to play against the reliably great Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone, the miniseries gave viewers no choice but to face the raw tragedy of Reena’s story and reflect on the young, troubled lives that are forever part of it. — Rebecca Iannucci
The only one I wholeheartedly agree with is….FARGO. Excellent writing and acting.
Fargo was by far the best of these (Although I still slightly prefer season 1). And don’t forget Sam Spruell’s Ole Munch — one of the most bizarre and compelling characters in recent memory. True Detective: Night Country was too drawn out and insulted the audience with its flirting with the supernatural only to have a very normal explanation.
I don’t understand why I haven’t seen We Were the Lucky Ones on these lists more given how well-reviewed and well-done it was…. certainly better than the uneven Night Country. I do agree with Fargo and Fellow Travelers, and haven’t seen all the others.
Why isn’t One Day on the list?
Of this list I’ve only seen Bay Reindeer and was pretty disappointed. Could have been a 90 minute movie.
I agree on this whole list but I want True Detective or Fellow Travelers to take the trophy home.
Mary & George?
Although all the choices have merit, only Fargo did what every mini series should do, but rarely does; pack each episode with amazing acting and great writing propelling the story forward each and every time.
Palm Royale?
Competing as a Comedy Series (and recently renewed). -Mgmt.
My choice would be Fellow Travelers . It was so well done the writing, directing and acting was some of the best. Plus it’s a history lesson. One that needed to be told.. But wrapped around that whole concept was a beautiful love story..
But I will say it’s so difficult to pick now because so many of these series streaming are well done..
Hope Fargo lands a bunch of nominations and wins. It was so good.
Fall of The House of Usher was excellent and deserves to be nominated, but I feel like the Emmy voters won’t nominate one of Mike Flanagan’s series. Very unfortunately.