HBO’s acclaimed video game adaptation, "The Last of Us," stood out as the undisputed champion on the first night of the 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, securing a whopping eight wins. The night also witnessed notable triumphs for FX’s “The Bear,” Netflix’s “Wednesday,” and HBO’s “The White Lotus,” each earning significant recognition with four wins apiece.
The victories for "The Last of Us" included outstanding performances, as Nick Offerman and Storm Reid clinched the awards for Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, respectively. The game further solidified its success by winning in key craft categories such as visual effects, picture editing, and sound editing.
In the comedy realm, Judith Light earned the Guest Actress accolade for her role in "Poker Face," while Sam Richardson, a fan favorite from "Ted Lasso," took home the Guest Actor award. The night also saw Roku Channel defy expectations by winning the TV Movie category with “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” Yankovic, present to accept the trophy, emphasized the importance of embracing one’s true self in his acceptance speech.
The delayed 2023 Emmy Award season, pushed back by three months due to labor strife in Hollywood the previous year, unfolded with Amazon Prime Video’s "Daisy Jones & the Six" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" each securing two wins. Costume designer Denise Wingate expressed her connection to the 1970s Los Angeles setting of "Daisy Jones," citing it as a personal and authentic project.
Netflix’s "Beef" made a mark with wins in casting for a limited or anthology series, showcasing the challenges and rewards of casting for the eighth episode, which involved portraying characters at different ages.
As the winners emotionally embraced their victories, John Koyama, who won for stunt coordination in Prime Video’s "The Boys," exclaimed, “Oh my god, this is crazy.” Cinematographer Natalie Kingston, victorious for Apple TV+’s “Black Bird,” shared her personal journey and acknowledged her 12-year-old self, highlighting the transformative power of an Emmy win.
The list of winners from Night 1 of the 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards spans various categories, celebrating outstanding achievements in contemporary and period costumes, casting, makeup, hairstyling, and stunt coordination across drama, comedy, and variety programs. Notable winners include “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” “Daisy Jones & The Six,” “Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities,” and “House Of The Dragon,” each securing victories in their respective categories.
The 2023 Creative Arts Emmy Awards continue to highlight the diverse and dynamic landscape of television, recognizing the exceptional talent and contributions of artists and artisans in the industry. Stay tuned for the second night of the awards, promising more accolades and memorable moments in the world of television excellence.
