Darren Criss (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”) and Jesse Plemons (“USS Callister: Black Mirror”) could break the curve in the big way at the Emmys. Both are nominated for Best Limited Series/TV Movie Actor and if either wins, he’d be the second youngest champ in the category.
At 31 and 30, respectively, Criss and Plemons are competing in a category that has long favored middle-aged and older stars. The category’s youngest winner is Anthony Murphy, who was 17 when he prevailed for “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” in 1973, which was also his first and only acting role. That record looks to stand for a long time, considering that no one in their 20s has ever won.
Eleven people have won in their 30s, including last year’s champ Riz Ahmed(“The Night Of”), who was 34, and Criss and Plemons’ rival Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”), who was 38 when he upset in 2014 for “Sherlock: His Last Vow”. Criss or Plemons would knock back then-32-year-olds Peter Strauss (“The Jericho Mile”) and Powers Boothe (“Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones”), who won in in back-to-back years in 1979 and 1980.
Criss, Plemons and Cumberbatch are up against 57-year-old Antonio Banderas(“Genius: Picasso”) and 39-year-old John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert”). Two-time champ Al Pacino, who’s 78, was shockingly snubbed for his turn as Joe Paterno in HBO’s “Paterno.” Between this and Robert De Niro‘s loss last year to Ahmed, maybe the academy is turning over a new leaf and won’t just automatically check off established stars over rising younger actors.
The good thing for Criss and Plemons is that they’re both already on the Emmys’ radar. Criss, who has been the predicted favorite to win all year for his eerie performance as Andrew Cunanan, was nominated in 2015 for writing the song “This Time” from “Glee”. Plemons, who was in eighth place in our odds for playing the reclusive Robert Daly, competed in the supporting race two years ago for “Fargo,” losing to another “American Crime Story” star, Sterling K. Brown.
Tag: darren criss
Darren Criss earns lead actor Emmy nod for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’
Fil-Am actor Darren Criss’ heartbreaking, gut-wrenching performance as Filipino serial killer Andrew Cunanan has earned him a well-deserved Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
FX’s true crime dramatization, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace”, led the limited series category with 18 nominations. It will be competing against “The Alienist”, “Genius: Picasso”, “Godless”, and “Patrick Melrose” for Outstanding Limited Series.
This is Criss’ first Emmy nomination for acting. He will be up against Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”), Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”), Jeff Daniels (“The Looming Tower”), John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), and Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister).
Criss fleshed out in the small screen the troubled mind of Cunanan, who went on a horrific murder spree that ended with the death of legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Cunanan killed at least five people before taking his own life to evade arrest.
Darren Criss earns lead actor Emmy nod for ‘Assassination of Gianni Versace’
roguemagazine: In honor of @darrencriss being nominated for the Best Actor Emmy today, here’s an unreleased shot from his feature for @roguemagazine’s Summer Issue N°9, link in bio.
Photography by @josephsinclair
Styling by @krishanparmar_
Hair by @naradkutowaroo
Makeup by @laurengriffinmua
Written by @jackiefern #darrencriss #assasinationofgianniversace #americancrimestory #versacenaradkutowaroo: D A R R E N @darrencriss for @roguemagazine Such a fun day with this hero! Congratulations on the nomination for best actor!#photographer @josephsinclair #styling @krishanparmar_ #mua @laurengriffinmua #hair by me using @unite_hair @go247 #darrencriss #theassassinationofgianniversace #glee #singer #actor #magazine #americancrimestory #london #east #bestactor #emmys
Sandra Oh: ‘It’s profoundly frustrating’
While change has been slow, at least there has been some momentum. In the years since 2000, there are at least some actors of Asian descent in lead roles on American TV, even if you can count them with your fingers. And that may even be more about the sheer volume of TV, rather than replacing caucasian actors.
There’s Lucy Liu on Elementary, there was Daniel Dae Kim on Hawaii Five-O, who quit after producers refused to pay him the same as his white co-star, Priyanka Chopra on the cancelled Quantico, Maggie Q on the cancelled Designated Survivor, Ken Jeong on the cancelled Dr Ken, Mindy Kaling on now-ended The Mindy Project, Darren Criss (whose mother is Filipino) on Assassination Of Gianni Versace and there is the cast of Fresh Off The Boat, led by the phenomenally funny Constance Wu and Randall Park.
Emmys: Who Will Win, Who Should Win, and Who Got Snubbed
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
The Alienist
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Godless
Patrick MelroseWhat should win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (or, really, Twin Peaks: The Return)
What will win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryThe Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is easily the most high-profile show among these nominees, and almost certainly the winner as well. It’s a well-deserving choice, even if it’s frustrating that this category is lacking in stiff competition. The biggest snub here is definitely Twin Peaks: The Return, which might have proved just a little too out-there for Emmy voters. Still, it’s bizarre to see that high-profile series ignored over less-discussed shows like Godless, The Alienist, Patrick Melrose, and Genius: Picasso. But we’ll try not to hold that against Versace when it takes home the award.
If we voted: An even bigger mystery than “who drew the dicks?” is “why did American Vandal get so little love from Emmy voters?” We would’ve loved to see that wonderfully original series nominated along with The Terror, Alias Grace, and of course, Twin Peaks: The Return. —Caroline Siede
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
Jesse Plemons, “USS Callister” (Black Mirror)What should win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
What will win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryIt can be hard to be the runaway favorite in a category. Darren Criss’ inevitable win feels a little unexciting at this point, even though he’s more than deserving of the award. He delivered a truly captivating performance as serial killer Andrew Cunanan, flipping from charming to terrifying at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a bag of concrete). But the biggest story here is a snub: Where’s Kyle MacLachlan?!? MacLachlan’s multi-faceted performance on Twin Peaks: The Return definitely deserved some love from Emmy voters. On the other hand, we’re thrilled to see John Legend recognized for his soulful turn as Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert. Long live the live musical, and long live Agent Dale Cooper!
If we voted: In addition to MacLachlan, we would’ve loved to see a little more love for the Paramount Network’s Waco. Both Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon gave great performances in the little-seen miniseries about the Waco siege against David Koresh and his Branch Davidians. —Caroline Siede
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Penelope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
Merritt Weaver, Godless
Letitia Wright, Black Museum (Black Mirror)Who should win: Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Who will win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryThis category is an embarrassment of riches, and depending on how potential sweeps start shaping up, it could go many ways. Given the Emmys’ past love for American Crime Story, and Penélope Cruz’s strong performance as Donatella Versace, she’s likely to walk away with the award. A more interesting choice would be Judith Light, for the less flashy but equally compelling role of Marilyn Miglin. Light is gripping as Miglin, and the intensity of her performance helps pivot the series from its glitzier early episodes to its increasingly darker, more devastating later run.
If we voted: It boggles the mind that industry darling and Emmy fave Laura Dern wasn’t nominated for her work as Diane on Twin Peaks: The Return. Julia Ormond and Rebecca Liddiard were also great this year in Howards End and Alias Grace, respectively, but come on, guys. Laura Dern! —Kate Kulzick
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeff Daniels, Godless
Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
John Leguizamo, Waco
Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryWho should win: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Who will win: Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryI mean, did you even see JCS Live? Brandon Victor Dixon’s Judas blew John Legend out of the water with every sequined tank top, black leather vest, and wailing high note he could muster. He’s already a Tony-caliber performer, so it’s thrilling to see his considerable talents translated to the small screen in equally exuberant ways. Still, we think Edgar Ramirez’s small but mighty turn as Gianni Versace in American Crime Story (and his higher profile as an actor) might win out in the end.
If we voted: Since we’re committed to our heartfelt stan for Twin Peaks: The Return, we’d like to remind you that the late, great Harry Dean Stanton was in it, and he sang a lovely blues song, and that should make you very happy. —Clint Worthington
Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race
Best Limited Series
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Godless (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
The Alienist (TNT)Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose) — podcast
Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower) — podcast
Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister) — podcastBest Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
Jeff Daniels (Godless) — podcast
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Leguizamo (Waco)Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED NOMINEES
Merritt Wever (Godless)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult)
Letitia Wright (Black Mirror: Black Museum)
Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race
‘The Assassination Of Gianni Versace’ Stars Reflect On Emmy Nominations: TV Academy “Voted For Justice”
“How am I doing? I don’t even know how I’m doing. I’m on fire, man. What can I say?” Ricky Martin told Deadline today, after receiving his first ever Emmy nomination for Ryan Murphy’s FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Picking up their own nominations amongst the series’ 18 overall nods, Versace stars Edgar Ramírez, Darren Criss and Finn Wittrock seemed to share Martin’s sense of excited bewilderment.
Documenting the murder of the titular fashion icon (Ramírez) at the hands of spree killer Andrew Cunanan (Criss), the latest installment of Murphy’s true crime anthology series was a dream project for those involved. “It’s a difficult thing to say because obviously [Cunanan] is a very tragic figure. I’d like to think that if I was in any position to have stopped the horrible things that happened, if I was there, I would have tried to do something,” Criss explained of his thinking in portraying an infamous real-life killer. “But unfortunately I wasn’t there. So all I could do is try to bring a kind of positivity to this darkness by telling a story in a certain way, raising certain questions that we can ask 20 years later about not only him, but ourselves and our society.”
“Regardless of awards season, this is an opportunity that I have worked and waited for my entire life. Actors are really only as good as the parts they can get, and the people that believe in them, and the complexity of the characters that they’re playing,” Criss added with reference to his troubled character, who finds himself at the center of the series—more so than Versace himself. “The thing that makes Andrew interesting is not the stuff that is dark or scary or uncomfortable; it’s the breadth of colors that exists on his palette. That’s what actors really crave.”
Like Criss, Martin was happy to see some light come out of the darkness of Versace and Cunanan’s experience. “Today, I realized that my peers in The Academy voted for justice — because at the end of the day, this is what the story was about,” he said. “It’s focused on the justice that is needed [following] this horrible crime. This is the way I see it, period.”
For the actors of Versace, portraying real-life figures was a challange. “As happens every time you play a real-life person, [the challenge] is not to yield before the pressure of playing someone that a lot of people knew—especially someone like Gianni whose work was so impactful,” Ramírez said. “Playing a real-life character, it’s not about imitating. It’s not a photograph—it’s a painting.”
While Criss contemplated the psyche of a killer—attempting to manifest all of Cunanan’s complexity—Martin gave himself up to the darkness D’Amico experienced following the death of Versace. “We walked on set every day extremely vulnerable, but at the same time, we all felt protected because we were being directed by Ryan, and by an amazing group of directors,” he said. “It just felt right.”
Celebrating the success of Versace, each of the series’ stars tipped their hat to its mastermind, Ryan Murphy, discussing what makes him so unique and vital as a storyteller. “He works harder than anyone else in the business and continues to keep a group of people around him who are continually impressive. With every new project, you’re going to be challenged in a new way and surprised,” Wittrock said.
Added Criss, who also worked with Murphy on Glee, “He really gravitates towards sides of the story that we wouldn’t typically hear, or haven’t heard in the past. He finds what’s not only most accessible about those stories, but as a showrunner and a showman, he knows how to make those things attractive.”
edgarramirez25: Besides the hideous crimes and the unjustifiable homophobia underlaying at their very core, The Assassination of Gianni Versace was also a story about families. Families that couldn’t overcome their frustrations and shortcomings and ended up hurting and damaging each other…and also Families that stuck together and protected each other when life was throwing punches at them from all angles. The one thing I can attest for sure after having had the
the privilege of portraying Gianni Versace, is that “family was everything” for him. So today, on this joyous day, I celebrate sharing the honor of this nomination with all of these indescribably talented artists who, more than the dearest of friends, are now my own family. Thank you all and congratulations for such an amazing work. 18 #Emmy Nominations, wow! Thank you so much @televisionacad for this honorable recognition! I am so proud of my family! #emmyawards #acsversace🇪🇸 Más allá de los horrendos crímenes y la injustificable homofobia subyacente en ellos, el asesinato de Gianni Versace también es una historia de familias. Familias que fueron incapaces de superar sus frustraciones y carencias y terminaron lastimándose y dañándose unos a otros … y familias que se mantuvieron unidas y se protegieron mutuamente cuando la vida les golpeaba desde todos los frentes. Lo único que puedo asegurar después de tener el
el privilegio de interpretar a Gianni Versace, es que “la familia lo era todo” para él. Así que en este día feliz, celebro enormemente compartir el honor de esta nominación con todos estos artistas de talento indescriptible que hoy, más que entrañables amigos, son mi familia. Gracias a todos y felicidades por este maravilloso trabajo. 18 nominaciones a los Emmy, ¡guau! ¡Qué orgulloso estoy de mi familia! Muchas ¡Los quiero muchísimo a todos!penelopecruzoficial: Congratulations @darrencriss @edgarramirez25 @ricky_martin I love my buddies!!!! Felicidades!!! ❤️
tanasepopa: Today, I was nominated for an Emmy for the short form series we did for Versace @americancrimestoryfx and we got @poseonfx picked up for a second season! Great day indeed!!
latimes_entertainment: Swipe for some of this year’s first-time Emmy nominees! #Emmys
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