Emmy Predictions: ‘The Crown’ and ‘Bridgerton’ Could Break the Netflix Curse at Emmy Awards 2021
While Emmy predictions aren’t always accurate, Netflix hopes that this one about The Crown and Bridgerton is correct. This year isn’t the first time that the streaming giant topped HBO for most Emmy nominations. Netflix has 129 nods for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, while HBO has only 94. Despite having more nominations in recent years, HBO still sometimes grabs more statuettes. But, no matter which service wins more categories, there is one category that Netflix needs to win to break their years-long Emmy Awards curse.
What is the Netflix curse at the Emmy Awards?
Netflix often produces more original content than any other network or cable company, but they might be cursed at the Emmy Awards in this one category. The streaming giant spends billions of dollars on its content each year and are often the topic of Emmy predictions. In 2018, Netflix stole HBO’s 17-year-long record for the most nominated network at the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards. That year Netflix received 112 nominations, while HBO only received 108. The streaming giant also topped HBO in Emmy nods in 2020 and again in 2021.
However, they have never won in all the years that Netflix received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The statuette for the best series might be one of the most coveted Emmys, but Netflix seems cursed, never to receive it. In 2013 and 2014, AMC’s Breaking Bad beat out Netflix’s House of Cards in the category. In 2015 and 2016, HBO’s Game of Thrones dominated the Outstanding Drama Series category despite the popularity of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.
In 2017, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale took home the award, standing up against three Netflix original dramas: The Crown, House of Cards, and Stranger Things. HBO’s Game of Thrones defeated Netflix again in 2018 and 2019 over The Crown, Stranger Things, Bodyguard, and Ozark.
In 2020, with Game of Thrones out of the picture, Netflix looked like a shoo-in for best drama series with nominations for The Crown, Ozark, or Stranger Things. However, HBO’s Succession Season 2 took home the statuette. Will Netflix ever win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, or are they cursed in that category?
Emmy predictions: Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ could win Best Series in 2021
Is this the year that The Crown breaks through and finally wins an Emmy Award for best series? With The Crown Season 4 came the introduction of Princess Diana (Emma Corrin). According to Business Insider, this season is the most-watched of the series and continues to gain popularity. Rolling Stone’s Emmy predictions suggest that the series appeals more to the older members of the TV academy. Plus, they already awarded Claire Foy a guest actor Emmy for one scene in The Crown. After three years of nominations that ended in defeat, 2021 might be the year that The Crown takes home the win for best drama series, breaking the Netflix Emmy curse.
Emmy predictions: ‘Bridgerton’ breaks the Netflix Emmy Awards curse
Bridgerton smashed Netflix’s previous viewership records to become the streamer’s largest hit series in history. According to Deadline, 82 million households viewed Bridgerton Season 1. The Shondaland series, based on the novels by Julia Quinn, places a modern spin on the Regency-era drama. It appeals to a younger crowd than The Crown and even uses popular modern-day music in their orchestra arrangements.
Hopefully, the Emmy predictions are correct that Bridgerton could break the Netflix Emmy Awards curse. However, if it’s not, viewers hope that Regé-Jean Page at least takes home the statuette for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Simon Basset.
The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, air Sept. 19, 2021, at 8 p.m. EST on CBS and Paramount+.
All Emmy Award statistics courtesy of Statista.
