Eight 2018 Emmy-Winning TV Shows You Should Watch Immediately

Overview

It's that time again, film and television fans: awards season. Shiny trophies are given to deserving actors, directors, writers, producers and more, and the best and brightest movies and TV shows get the recognition that they deserve.

Each year, it all starts with the Emmys in September — aka Hollywood's night of nights for everything that airs on a screen that's small, rather than big. If you really love your TV, then you probably react to the annual gongs like Leslie Jones when Regina King won Best Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie at today's ceremony. Or, maybe you're as joyous and shocked as Jen Svendsen, the girlfriend of Glenn Weiss, when the latter proposed to her during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for his work directing the Oscars.

Hosted by Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost and Michael Che, the night saw Che give out reparation Emmys to black talents who were overlooked in previous years, Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen took everyone through the history of the awards, and #MeToo earned more than a few mentions.

Trophy-wise, a number of long-term hits picked up gongs — yes, Game of Thrones won Best Outstanding Drama — while newcomers and overlooked favourites did, too. Of course, some series were cheated. We'll never forget the fact that the third season of Twin Peaks barely received any nominations, or that David Lynch didn't win best director. But, regardless, we've all still got plenty to add to our must-see list. Hope your couch is comfy.

BARRY

What it's about: Assassins are people too in Barry. Actually, the eponymous post-traumatic stress-afflicted sniper turned hitman-for-hire is also an aspiring actor trying to take classes in Los Angeles, after stumbling upon his new calling during a job. He's also attempting to cope with his disorder, and hoping to get out of the murdering game. Bill Hader has never been better than in this dark comedy, which he also co-created, co-wrote and directed episodes of — with Henry Winkler also memorable as Barry's acting coach.

Won: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Bill Hader), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Henry Winkler).

Where to watch it: Foxtel Now.

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

What it's about: In New York City in 1958, Miriam 'Midge' Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) has become accustomed to waiting in the wings while her husband tries his hand at stand-up comedy. Then she takes to the stage herself, and this blend of comedy and drama follows the revolutionary aftermath. Picking up best comedy or musical TV series and best lead actress in a comedy or musical TV series at the Golden Globes, too, it's the latest show from Gilmore Girls and Bunheads mastermind Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Won: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Rachel Brosnahan), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Alex Borstein), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Amy Sherman-Palladino), Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Amy Sherman-Palladino).

Where to watch it: Amazon Prime.

BLACK MIRROR

What it's about: What isn't Black Mirror about, really? Dreaming up creepily dystopian futures based on society's ever-increasing dependence on technology, the Charlie Brooker-created anthology series has touched upon everything from social media to drones to political scandals to bringing back the dead, and that's just a handful of topics. In its fourth season, it specifically explored toxic fandom in Emmy-winning episode U.S.S. Callister, which looks like a comic take on Star Trek but delves into much darker — and also funnier — territory.

Won: Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special (William Bridges, Charlie Brooker).

Where to watch it: Netflix.

AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE

What it's about: It's all there in the name with the second series of anthology effort American Crime Story, which turns real-life crimes into on-screen dramas under the guidance of Glee and American Horror Story executive producer Ryan Murphy. Where the first season covered the OJ Simpson case and won a heap of Emmys, this time around it's the 1997 shooting of fashion designer Gianni Versace that's in the spotlight, with a cast that includes Édgar Ramírez as Versace, Ricky Martin as his long-term boyfriend, Penélope Cruz as his sister Donatella and Darren Criss as the man responsible for a tragic killing spree.

Won: Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special (Ryan Murphy), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Darren Criss).

Where to watch it: Foxtel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMUiRYoc76A

GODLESS

What it's about: In the town of La Belle, New Mexico, most of the men have been killed in a mining accident, leaving the women to hold the fort, hold firearms and just generally hold their own. Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery and Nurse Jackie's Merritt Weaver do just that, while Jeff Daniels plays a gun-toting outlaw and Skins' Jack O'Connell co-stars as the partner he's trying to hunt down. Set in the 1880s, and produced by Steven Soderbergh, clearly this is a western — and a seven-episode mini-series as well.

Won: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Jeff Daniels), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Merritt Wever).

Where to watch it: Netflix

THE AMERICANS

What it's about: Spanning six seasons and finishing up earlier in 2018, The Americans takes viewers into the thick of the Cold War during the early 1980s. Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) seem like the perfect ordinary couple, with two kids to match and a life in suburbia, but they're actually KGB officers living undercover and spying on the US for Russia. Drama ensues, clearly, in a period-set series that was a critical hit across its entire run. Spy twists, turns and thrills aren't relegated to the big screen, after all.

Won: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Matthew Rhys), Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Joel Fields, Joseph Weisberg).

Where to watch it: Foxtel Now.

WESTWORLD

What it's about: Imagine a theme park that takes you to another world (and no, regular amusement parks don't count). At Westworld, attendees feel like they've stepped back to America's wild west, all thanks to a completely immersive park filled with human-like androids that talk, shoot, drink and do plenty of other things as well. It's a fantastic premise, which proved the case when author Michael Crichton turned it into a movie back in 1973, and still remains true now. And with Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton and James Marsden among the robots — or 'hosts' — wandering around, HBO's take on Westworld also comes with a stacked cast.

Won: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Thandie Newton).

Where to watch it: Foxtel Now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2umFQ_xBA

THE CROWN

What it's about: It's the biographical show that made everyone interested in the royal family again, not only thanks to its behind-the-scenes dramas, but courtesy of its stellar cast. Across the first two seasons of this period drama, Claire Foy transforms into a young Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Smith into her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, starting with their marriage in 1947 and covering their lives until the early 1960s. Foy dedicated her award to her fellow actors, who have all been replaced for the series third and fourth seasons, with Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies taking on the central roles.

Won: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Claire Foy).

Where to watch it: Netflix.