Emmys 2021 full coverage: 'Ted Lasso,' 'The Crown' shine - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Our full coverage of Emmys 2021, from Michaela Coel’s win to ‘The Crown’s’ sweep

A woman in a bright yellow dress holding a piece of paper and speaking into a microphone
Michaela Coel accepts the award for outstanding writing for a limited or anthology series or movie for “I May Destroy You” during the Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Television Academy via AP)
Share via
1

Welcome to your one-stop shop for complete Emmy coverage from the Los Angeles Times, from our final predictions to the biggest winners of the evening. Check back here throughout the night for stories about the moments everyone’s talking about.

Find out the winners of this year’s Emmys right here. We’ll be updating the list live throughout the show.

Sept. 19, 2021

2

Every Emmy winner, in one place

RuPaul Charles was among the big winners at the 73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)

It was a victorious night for royalty, chess masters, inspirational coaches and troubled detectives, but they weren’t the only characters claiming Emmys this year. Check out all the winners in one handy list, and keep scrolling for highlights.

Advertisement
3

The Emmys tried to look diverse — and gave us predictable white winners

Scott Frank, director of "The Queen's Gambit," at the 73rd Emmy Awards.
(CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)

No performers of color won in any of the comedy, drama or limited series categories despite some of the strongest contenders in years. And it was nearly two hours into the show when the first person of color stepped onstage to receive an award.

4

What Delta variant? Emmys party like it’s 2019

Cedric the Entertainer performs on stage at the 73rd Emmy Awards.
Cedric the Entertainer performs on stage at the 73rd Emmy Awards on Sunday.
(Phil McCarten/Phil McCarten/Invision/AP)

The decision to party like it was 2019 was perhaps not out of key with the national mood and in some perverse way not inappropriate to a medium whose productions have mostly pretended, even in the thick of it, that the pandemic never happened, isn’t happening or is a thing of the past. Nevertheless! Whether or not his surprise was disingenuous, or even meant to preempt criticism, first presenter Seth Rogen put into words what many viewers must have been thinking: “Let me start by saying: There’s way too many of us in this little room. They said this was outdoors — it’s not! They lied to us.”

5

Netflix’s other ‘Queen’ cements a big night for streaming giant

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and Anya Taylor-Joy shake hands over a chessboard
“The Queen’s Gambit,” featuring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, capped off a big Emmy night for Netflix and other streaming services.
(Phil Bray / Netflix)

Advertisement

The Emmys still air on network television, but streaming remains the true heavyweight of the annual awards ceremony and Netflix racked up one of its best showings. The streamer’s word-of-mouth hit “The Queen’s Gambit” nabbed the highly competitive prize for limited series and closed out the show with a power move. See you next year, HBO.

6

It’s a British invasion, as ‘The Crown’ sweeps drama categories

A queen holding a bouquet of flowers
Oscar winner Olivia Colman helped turn Netflix’s “The Crown” into an even bigger sensation in its third and fourth seasons.
(Ollie Upton / Netflix)

It took a queen — and, arguably, a princess — to give Netflix its first drama series Emmy win, as the buzzy fourth season of “The Crown” scored a clean sweep of all seven top drama categories. Actors Olivia Colman, Josh O’Connor, Gillian Anderson and Tobias Menzies all claimed Emmys, as did writer Peter Morgan and director Jessica Hobbs.

7

If ‘Ted Lasso’ made you laugh during the pandemic, you weren’t alone

Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis
“Ted Lasso” and Emmy-winning stars Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis.
(Apple TV+)

The rise of “Ted Lasso” was indisputably one of the bright spots in entertainment during the past year, and it was no surprise to watch the Apple TV+ series claim the Emmys’ top prize for comedy series.

Advertisement
8

Leon Bridges sings to remember those we’ve lost

Michael K Williams was photographed at his home in Brooklyn, N.Y., earlier this year.
(Jesse Dittmar/For The Times)

From Cicely Tyson to Cloris Leachman, Alex Trebek to Larry King, the Emmys’ annual in memoriam segment was a stirring reminder of the many television icons who died in the last year. The tribute included, of course, Michael K. Williams, who lost an Emmy bid earlier in the evening for his powerful work on HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” The segment was accompanied by Bridges, performing “River” along with “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” bandleader Jon Batiste.

9

Of course ‘Hamilton’ had to win an Emmy. And that win is historic

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo in "Hamilton" on the streaming service Disney+.
The original cast of “Hamilton,” including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo, committed their performances to film and the result premiered on Disney+ last year.
(Disney+)

Over six years since its off-Broadway debut, the honors for “Hamilton” haven’t stopped rolling in. And just after the show resumed live performances on Broadway following the pandemic shutdown, its Emmy win for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) claims a particularly special place in the Emmy trivia books.

10

Debbie Allen urges Emmy viewers to “claim your power”

Debbie Allen at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images)

Advertisement

A legendary dancer, actress, choreographer and director, honorary award winner Debbie Allen made the most of her Emmy platform with an inspiring speech that reminded the audience exactly why she is a legend.

11

All hail Michaela Coel

A bald woman in a patterned shirt sitting at a table with food on it.
Michaela Coel created and starred in “I May Destroy You.”
(Natalie Seery / HBO)

With HBO’s “I May Destroy You,” Michaela Coel delivered one of the most distinctive — and uncategorizable — pieces of television in the last year. And in one of those rare moments when the Emmy Awards get it exactly right, she walked away with the Emmy for writing a limited series, anthology series or movie.

12

RuPaul sashays into Emmys herstory as most awarded Black artist

RuPaul Charles makes Emmys herstory.
(Béatrice de Géa / For The Times)

Remember when “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was a little cult show that could barely get “mainstream” attention? Those days are long gone as the divalicious sensation claimed its fourth consecutive Emmy for reality competition series. And with that, host and executive producer RuPaul Charles became the most honored Black artist in Emmy history. Can we get an amen?

Advertisement
13

Read ‘Ted Lasso’ star Jason Sudeikis’ full speech

A man wears a black shirt reading "Jadon & Marcus & Bukayo"
Jason Sudeikis won the lead actor in a comedy series Emmy for “Ted Lasso.”
(Jay L. Clendenin)

“Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis has been a consistent highlight of the recent TV awards shows, and his first shot at the Emmy podium didn’t disappoint. Read the complete acceptance speech here.

14

‘Hacks’ scores for HBO Max with three big comedy wins

A woman and a man holding up a framed proclamation.
Jean Smart won lead actress in a comedy for HBO Max’s breakout “Hacks.” The show also claimed trophies for writing and directing.
(HBO Max)

Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” entered the night as the presumptive favorite across comedy categories, but another freshman series — HBO Max’s breakout “Hacks” — scored upset wins for directing and writing, and also landed an expected victory for star Jean Smart in lead actress.

15

Yes, the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ cast still has it

Dan Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy onstage at the Emmys.
Dan Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy at the Emmys.
(Cliff Lipson / CBS)

Advertisement

It’s been a year since the cast of “Schitt’s Creek” swept the Emmys for the beloved comedy’s final season, and at the time they accepted their trophies from a remote feed in their native Canada. But this year they were all live and in person on the Emmys stage to remind us all of that crackling chemistry.

16

Comedy colleagues fondly remember Norm Macdonald

Less than a week after comedian Norm Macdonald died from cancer, his memory loomed large at the Emmys in heartfelt tributes from John Oliver and “Saturday Night Live” boss Lorne Michaels.

17

Biz Markie inspires musical love letter to TV

A man on the red carpet in a light-blue suit
Cedric the Entertainer arrives on the red carpet for the 73rd Annual Emmy Awards.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

With help from Lil Dicky, LL Cool J and the casts of “This Is Us,” “Black-ish,” “Ted Lasso,” “Pose,” “Hamilton” and more, Cedric launched into a crowd-pleasing cover of Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend” — which served as both an ode to the small screen and a tribute to rapper Markie, who died in July at age 57.

18

Join us for our Emmys live chat

The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards are upon us. And what would an awards show be without some shouts from the balcony? Follow our live chat throughout the night as awards columnist Glenn Whipp and staff writer Meredith Blake break down the best speeches, biggest upsets and other top stories of Sunday’s Emmys live.

Advertisement
19

Emma Corrin serves ‘crucible realness’ in standout look

Emma Corrin attends the Emmys celebration in London.
(Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)

Emmy nominee Emma Corrin drew accolades as Princess Diana on the fourth season of Netflix’s “The Crown”; the latest display of her iconoclastic fashion sense also made a splash on the red carpet — all the way from London.

20

The best of the red carpet

Nicole Byer in a flowing diaphanous purple dress
Nicole Byer attends the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A. Live.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Catch the must-see celebrity looks from the Emmys as fashion critic Adam Tschorn and Times photographers bring you snapshots from this year’s red carpet.

21

Who’s expected to win?

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso wearing a sweater and pointing
All signs point to yes: Jason Sudeikis is the favorite for the comedy lead actor Emmy as the titular “Ted Lasso.”
(Apple TV+)

Advertisement

A particularly good time will likely be had by the entourages of “The Crown,” “Ted Lasso” and “Mare of Easttown — the favorites to haul away multiple Emmys in the drama, comedy and limited series categories, respectively — according to final predictions from awards columnist Glenn Whipp. With luck, there will be a surprise or two, as well as long overdue recognition for Michael K. Williams, whose recent, tragic death will weigh heavy on the evening.

22

What will this year’s ceremony look like?

Cedric the Entertainer, wearing a purple suit and hat, speaks into a microphone
Cedric the Entertainer, host of this year’s Emmys, speaks at a press preview for the ceremony.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Host Cedric the Entertainer and producers gave the press a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at what to expect during an event this week at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences campus in Los Angeles. See the details of the preparations in our photo gallery from the preview.

23

How to watch this year’s Emmys

The Television Academy’s marquee ceremony honoring the best in television will air live from coast to coast on CBS on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Pacific. It will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

The scaled-down soiree takes place at its usual haunt — the Microsoft Theater in downtown L.A. — but it’ll still be dramatically different due to pandemic concerns. It will host a limited in-person audience consisting only of nominees and guests.

Advertisement

That’s a far cry from last year’s fête, which was hampered by city regulations on indoor gatherings and included a bevy of virtual appearances and at-home watch parties.

Advertisement