As a member of the Television Critics Association for many years, I should say that I’m always proud of the TCA Award nominations and winners—especially since I vote on them! But that’s not always true. The TCA usually gets things pretty right, certainly better than the Emmys, but our categories have their own issues. The Best Performance awards are historically not separated by gender, which may be accidentally progressive now, but it also means fewer overall distinctions. There’s a lovely, if limited simplicity to the categories, like leaving out Supporting or Guest roles. And yet, this laser-focus also make us critics, who have consumed ungodly amounts of television over the calendar year, really make some tough choices about who truly was the best.
Like with the Emmy nominations this year, those choices were a little easier in 2021 (the TCA nomination calendar follows the Emmys, so June to May). There were fewer shows, fewer hits. The “drama” acting category also includes miniseries, which dominated—but not really to the exclusion of many great drama performances themselves. The truth hurts!
“This was an incredible year for fresh, inclusive content and new creators, and our nominations are a reflection of that,” said Melanie McFarland, TCA President and TV Critic for Salon. “The TCA membership selected from a wealth of original offerings that broke fresh ground and presented exciting, thought-provoking experiences that redefined the television landscape. Although we will not be able to honor these landmark achievements in-person, we look forward to celebrating 37 years of the TCA Awards and sharing our top picks when the winners are unveiled.”
Overall, I might truly be the most proud of this batch of TCA nominees than I ever have been. The Emmys got things pretty right, but the 37th Annual TCA Awards have absolutely nailed it. You’re welcome. Now for the hard part… who should win?
Below is the list of 2021 Television Critics Association nominees, excluding the Career Achievement and Heritage Award winners, which will be announced along with the rest of the category winners later this summer:
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You – HBO Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird – Showtime Thuso Mbedu, The Underground Railroad – Amazon Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision – Disney+ Mj Rodriguez, Pose – FX Omar Sy, Lupin – Netflix Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown – HBO
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY Bo Burnham, Bo Burnham: Inside – Netflix Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant – HBO Max Maya Erskine, Pen15 – Hulu Renee Elise Goldsberry, Girls5Eva – Peacock Charlotte Nicdao, Mythic Quest – Apple TV+ Jean Smart, Hacks – HBO Max Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso – Apple TV+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION Allen v. Farrow – HBO City So Real – NatGeo Framing Britney Spears – FX/FX On Hulu Frontline – PBS (Eight-time Winner in Category) I’ll Be Gone in the Dark – HBO Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special – CBS The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC 60 Minutes – CBS (2012 Winner in Category)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY Couples Therapy – Showtime Deaf U – Netflix The Great Pottery Throw Down – HBO Max Legendary – HBO Max Nailed It! Double Trouble – Netflix The Real World Homecoming: New York – Paramount+ Taste the Nation – Hulu Top Chef: Portland – Bravo
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING The Baby-Sitters Club – Netflix Bluey – Disney Jr. Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids Emily’s Wonder Lab – Netflix Odd Squad – PBS Kids Sesame Street – HBO Waffles + Mochi – Netflix Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – PBS Kids
OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM Bridgerton – Netflix The Flight Attendant – HBO Max Hacks – HBO Max I May Destroy You – HBO Mare of Easttown – HBO P-Valley – Starz Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ WandaVision – Disney+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES OR SPECIALS Bo Burnham: Inside – Netflix The Good Lord Bird – Showtime I May Destroy You – HBO It’s a Sin – HBO Max Mare of Easttown – HBO The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix The Underground Railroad – Amazon WandaVision – Disney+
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA Bridgerton – Netflix The Crown – Netflix For All Mankind – Apple TV+ The Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu Lovecraft Country – HBO The Mandalorian – Disney+ Pose – FX P-Valley – Starz
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY The Flight Attendant – HBO Max Girls5Eva – Peacock Hacks – HBO Max Mythic Quest – Apple TV+ Pen15 – Hulu Superstore – NBC Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – NBC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY, TALK OR SKETCH The Amber Ruffin Show – Peacock A Black Lady Sketch Show – HBO (2020 Winner in Category) The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Comedy Central Desus & Mero – Showtime Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO (2019 & 2018 Winner in Category) Late Night with Seth Meyers – NBC The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – CBS Saturday Night Live – NBC Ziwe – Showtime
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR Bridgerton – Netflix Hacks – HBO Max I May Destroy You – HBO Mare of Easttown – HBO The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix Ted Lasso – Apple TV+ The Underground Railroad – Amazon WandaVision – Disney+
Allison Keene is the TV Editor of Paste Magazine. For more television talk, pop culture chat and general japery, you can follow her @keeneTV
For all the latest TV news, reviews, lists and features, follow @Paste_TV.