2024 Emmy Predictions for Limited Series Writing: Baby Reindeer, Fargo

The Best Limited Series/TV Movie Writing category at the 2024 Emmys sees 89 submissions this year, down by 22 from the previous year. Despite the reduction, it still meets the threshold for six nominees. Last year was particularly notable for including three television movies in this category for the first time in seven years: “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” (Al Yankovic and Eric Appel), “Fire Island” (Joel Kim Booster), and “Prey” (Patrick Aison & Dan Trachtenberg). The category also featured limited/anthology series like “Swarm” (Donald Glover & Janine Nabers), “Fleishman is in Trouble” (Taffy Brodesser-Akner), and the eventual winner, “Beef” (Lee Sung Jin).

One of the reasons for the lower number of submissions is that most potential limited series contenders have only one episode representing their programs. This trend is often because one writer penned all episodes of their respective series. Examples include “Baby Reindeer” (Richard Gadd), “Ripley” (Steven Zaillian), and “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” (Jon Robin Baitz). In other cases, shows strategically opted for single submissions to avoid vote-splitting, often choosing their premiere or finale episodes, which typically do well with nominations.

Notable entries that submitted their introductory episodes include “Fargo” (“The Tragedy of the Commons”), “The Sympathizer” (“Death Wish”), and “Fellow Travelers” (“You’re Wonderful”). The anthology series “Black Mirror” also selected its first episode of the season (“Joan Is Awful”). Programs submitting their final episodes include “True Detective: Night Country” (“Part 6”), “Masters of the Air” (“Part Nine”), and “Lessons in Chemistry” (“Introduction to Chemistry”).

Other miniseries to keep an eye on include “A Murder at the End of the World,” which received a nod from the Writers Guild of America Awards earlier this year and submitted its second episode. “Expats” chose its penultimate episode, written by creator Lulu Wang. Meanwhile, “Under the Bridge” is the only likely contender to submit multiple episodes, leveraging both its premiere and finale episodes, along with its fourth episode.

Television movies are also expected to be strong contenders this year. “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie” might secure the franchise’s first writing bid after the original series failed to do so during its eight-year run. Other television movies to watch include “Red, White & Royal Blue,” the WGA Award-winning “Quiz Lady,” and “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” which could posthumously honor William Friedkin for his final project.

Various factors influence the final selections in this competitive category. The return of anthology series previously nominated in prior years, many of which still involve their original creators like Noah Hawley (“Fargo”) and Charlie Brooker (“Black Mirror”), adds weight. Furthermore, despite the writers not being explicitly listed on the ballot, several established names are behind these shows, such as Zaillian, Friedkin, Wang, and Park Chan-wook (“The Sympathizer”). Coupled with the rising buzz and popularity of debuting miniseries like “Baby Reindeer,” the category remains unpredictable, making the July 17 nomination announcement all the more exciting.

Here are some top contenders for the 2024 Emmy predictions in the Best Limited Series/TV Movie Writing category:

“Baby Reindeer”
Written by Richard Gadd

“Fargo”
“The Tragedy of the Commons” by Noah Hawley

“Ripley”
Written by Steven Zaillian

“True Detective: Night Country”
“Part 6” by Issa López

“The Sympathizer”
“Death Wish” by Park Chan-wook & Don McKellar

“Lessons in Chemistry”
“Introduction to Chemistry” by Lee Eisenberg

“Fellow Travelers”
“You’re Wonderful” by Ron Nyswaner

“Black Mirror”
“Joan Is Awful” by Charlie Brooker

“Masters of the Air”
“Part Nine” by John Orloff & Joel Anderson Thompson

“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”
Written by Jon Robin Baitz

“A Murder at the End of the World”
“Chapter 2: The Silver Doe” by Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij, Melanie Marnich & Rebecca Roanhorse

“Expats”
“Central” by Lulu Wang

“Under the Bridge”
“Looking Glass” by Quinn Shephard
“Beautiful British Columbia” by Stuti Malhotra
“Mercy Alone” by Samir Mehta

“Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie”
Written by Andy Breckman

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”
Written by William Friedkin

“Quiz Lady”
Written by Jen D’Angelo

“Red, White & Royal Blue”
Written by Matthew López & Ted Malawer

Source: Gold Derby