The CW will host the 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, March 7th at 7 pm ET. Taye Diggs will return to host for the third consecutive year. The Critics Choice Awards are thought to be the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations. While film nominations will not be released until February 8th, the nominations for television have been announced. Netflix and HBO/ HBO Max lead in total nominations. FX, CBS/ CBS All Access and Hulu also picked up multiple nominations, performing better than Apple TV+, Amazon, Showtime, and Disney+. The competition in the Best Drama Series Category promises to be exciting, with many fan-favorites nominated.
“Ozark” stands out again this year with 6 nominations. These include Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jason Bateman and Tom Pelphrey), Best Actress in a Drama Series (Laura Linney), and 2 nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Julia Garner and Janet McTeer). The popular Netflix show will return for its fourth and final season, split into two seven-episode runs. While the return date is unknown at this time, the fact that the show will be coming to a conclusion soon may give them an edge in the Best Drama Series Category.
“The Crown” has also received six nominations and will be competing with “Ozark” in all the major categories including Best Drama Series, Best Actress (Olivia Colman and Emma Corrin), Best Supporting Actor (Tobias Menzies), and Best Supporting Actress, (Gillian Anderson). “The Crown,” also on Netflix, has been confirmed for two additional seasons, with plans to conclude the series at the end of season six. “The Queens Gambit,” also on Netflix, received three nominations. Overall, Netflix received 26 nominations.
HBO/ HBO Max is up for 24 awards. “Lovecraft Country” received five nominations, including Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jonathon Majors), Best Actress (Jurnee Smollett), and nominations in the Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories as well. Another HBO Drama series received three nominations. “Perry Mason” is nominated for Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama (Matthew Rhys), and Best Supporting Actor (John Lithgow). “The Flight Attendant,” and “The Plot Against America” also received multiple nominations. “The Mandalorian,” on Disney plus, was also nominated for Best Drama Series.
“Schitt’s Creek” received 5 nominations in the Best Comedy Series category. The show made history at the Emmys last year when it swept all seven comedy categories. It is up against “The Flight Attendant,” “Ted Lasso,” “Ramy,” “What We Do In the Shadows,” “Pen15,” “Mom,” and “Better Things.” As “Schitt’s Creek” has ended, it would not be surprising if it took home many Critic’s Choice Awards this year.
Other nominations were announced for Best Talk Show, Best Made for Television Movie, Best Limited Series, and Best Comedy Special. The full list of nominations can be found here. Due to Covid, the award ceremony format has not yet been determined. Follow the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards on Twitter and Instagram @CriticsChoice and on Facebook/CriticsChoiceAwards, and check back with Nerd Alert News for reporting on the Critics Choice Awards film nominations in mid-February.
Written by Michelle Haab
Lynn Makes
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson