Can Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer’ match the Emmy success of ‘Beef’?
Amidst fierce competition in the TV landscape, Netflix continues to strike a cord with Emmy voters. The streaming giant consistently captivates its audience with stand-out shows that ignite widespread conversations and become essential viewing. This year, the wildly popular limited series “Baby Reindeer” is poised to match or surpass the success “Beef” had at the 2023 Emmys.
The Netflix premiere of “Beef” in April 2023 was met with instant acclaim. Starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, the Korean-American show enthralled viewers and critics with its engaging plot and bold humor. This year’s British black comedy gifted the audience with a compelling true-crime-esque narrative about a stand-up comedian, Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd), who is facing harassment from a desperate stalker, Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning). “Baby Reindeer” is particularly captivating as the main character is portrayed by a real-life victim of the depicted events. Known for favoring thought-provoking and gripping shows, the Emmys won’t be able to ignore this series.
SEE All 18 ‘Baby Reindeer’ Emmy submissions: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau …
In “Beef,” Wong’s remarkable performance made her the first Asian woman to win a lead acting Emmy. Her co-star Maria Bello was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but lost to Niecy Nash-Betts (“Dahmer”). “Baby Reindeer” may not have a lead actress, but Gunning’s supporting role as Martha Scott has received more praise from audiences and critics than any other performance in the show. Amelia Stout (Slant) declared, “Gunning’s performance is a large part of what makes the show so horrifying and compelling.”
Gunning’s nuanced portrayal of a profoundly broken character has her currently tied for first place in Gold Derby’s odds, closely battling Kali Reis (“True Detective: Night Country”) for Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actress. Notably, eight of 11 Editors predict Gunning will take home the award, along with 10 Experts. Also in the race is her co-star Nava Mau, who delivered a heartfelt portrayal of Teri, Donny’s transgender ex-girlfriend. She currently ranks fifth in our combined odds.
When Yeun won the Emmy for his performance in “Beef,” it marked a well-deserved kudos for the actor who has been prominent on TV since his time on “The Walking Dead.” This year, the Best Movie/Limited Actor category is highly competitive, with Gadd closely trailing Jon Hamm (“Fargo”) in our odds. Hamm won an Emmy for his role in “Mad Men” in 2015 and has a career total of 16 nominations. On the other end of the spectrum, Gadd is a newly discovered talent who offers a fresh perspective with a show based on his own life, demonstrating a compelling level of vulnerability that will earn him a well-deserved spotlight moment. David Opie (Empire Magazine) commended Gadd for “revisiting the most difficult moments of his life with unflinching honesty and even self-condemnation.”
In “Baby Reindeer,” the critical storyline centers around Donny’s abuser, Darrien, a successful television writer portrayed by Tom Goodman-Hill. Their complex relationship depicts how Donny’s trauma shaped his future life choices and significant missteps. Currently, Goodman-Hill holds the eighth position in our combined odds for Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor, and has a strong chance of securing a nomination, given that there are seven slots available. Four Gold Derby Editors anticipate the actor’s nomination and see him as a credible opponent to such frontrunners as Robert Downey Jr. (“The Sympathizer”) and Jonathan Bailey (“Fellow Travelers”). Goodman-Hill could potentially win the category that “Beef” actors Joseph Lee and Young Mazino lost in 2023 to Paul Walter Hauser (“Black Bird.”)
Last Emmy season, “Beef” won both lead acting categories along with Best Limited Series, writing, directing, editing, casting and contemporary costumes. Lee Sung Jin took both writing and directing honors, each for a different episode. This year, director Weronika Tofilska’s “Episode 4” of “Baby Reindeer” was submitted for consideration. It included a powerful depiction of the main character’s experience of sexual assault, showcasing remarkable directing and shining a spotlight on Gadd’s and Goodman-Hill’s performances. In the race for Best Writing, Gadd’s odds look more than promising. Not only did he write all seven episodes single-handedly, but he also shared personal trauma, offering the audience an intimate glimpse into the lessons of his life. Gadd’s openness and creativity have taken the show to a level that will likely earn him the Emmy in this category.
Last year, “Beef” was a shot of espresso for all the fans of quality TV. In 2024, Netflix did it again with “Baby Reindeer.” Despite the controversy surrounding the show, it has sparked extensive discussions and analysis. Even though the initial buzz has waned, an underlying excitement can easily propel the show to the top. Viewers appreciate a limited series that seamlessly blends raw emotion, humor, and poignancy. If successful, “Baby Reindeer” could surpass “Beef’s” Emmy triumph and become the first British show to win the Movie/Limited Series category since “Downton Abbey” in 2011.
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