Another day, another Emmy record for “Game of Thrones.” It’s the most awarded narrative series in history (47 wins), the most nominated continuing series in a single year (32 bids this year), and it holds the record as the most awarded continuing series in a single year (12 victories in both 2015 and 2016). But there’s one program that won more awards in a single year: the limited series “John Adams,” which prevailed 13 times in 2008.
“John Adams,” also an HBO production, was a technically ambitious drama full of lavish period details that helped it rack up 23 nominations. It won Best Limited Series, plus two lead acting awards (Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney), one supporting award (Tom Wilkinson), and prizes for its writing, art direction, casting, cinematography, costumes, prosthetic makeup, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects. Given the success of its performances and crafts across the board, it’s kind of surprising that it didn’t win for Tom Hooper‘s directing; he lost to Jay Roach for the telefilm “Recount.”
Since “Game of Thrones” has more nominations than ever before — and nine more nominations than “John Adams” did the year it swept — there’s a good chance “Thrones” will break that record. But that might depend on how the epic fantasy fares in craft categories. The actors branch of the television academy has been more ambivalent about “Thrones,” showering its cast with nominations but rarely with wins. The only cast member who has ever prevailed for the show is Peter Dinklage, who won Best Drama Supporting Actor in 2011, 2015 and 2018, which means “John Adams” won as many acting prizes in one year as “Thrones” has in its entire run.
But just because “Thrones” has 32 nominations doesn’t mean it can win 32 times. Racking up that many bids means it’s nominated against itself in multiple races. The actual number of categories it could win (unless it ties itself) is 23: Drama Series, Drama Actor, Drama Actress, Drama Supporting Actor, Drama Supporting Actress, Drama Guest Actress, plus writing, directing, casting, cinematography, costumes, hairstyling, interactive media, main title design, music composition, non-prosthetic makeup, prosthetic makeup, picture editing, production design, sound editing, sound mixing, stunt coordination and visual effects.
To break the “John Adams” record, “Thrones” will have to win 60% of those prizes. Do you think it will? Vote in our poll below.
Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before winners are announced on September 22. And join in the fun debate over the 2019 Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
