The Penguin, HBO’s limited series that premiered last September, has secured an impressive 24 Emmy nominations, highlighting its strong presence in this year’s awards despite fierce competition. The series received nods in key categories such as Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (Colin Farrell), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series (Cristin Milioti), firmly establishing itself as a standout contender in the Emmy race.
Although Casey Bloys, HBO’s programming chief, expressed hope for the series to continue with future seasons, The Penguin remains officially classified as a limited series for this awards cycle.
Award Recognition and Industry Acclaim for the Cast and Crew
In addition to Farrell’s nomination, the series also received recognition in multiple other prestigious categories. Deirdre O’Connell earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. Directing nods were awarded to Jennifer Getzinger and Helen Shaver, while Lauren LeFranc received a nomination for writing. Other technical nominations acknowledged David Franco’s cinematography, Helen Huang’s costume design, Henk van Eeghen’s picture editing, Kalina Ivanov’s production design, and the casting team’s outstanding work.
This marks Colin Farrell’s first Emmy nomination, adding to his already impressive collection of accolades, which includes a SAG Award, a Golden Globe, and a Critics’ Choice Award for his work on The Penguin. He was also nominated for an Oscar and won the Best Actor prize at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin. Looking ahead, Farrell is set to star with Margot Robbie in Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, releasing this September, as well as appearing with Tilda Swinton in Edward Berger’s
The Ballad of a Small Player,
which is expected to premiere on Netflix later this year.
Cristin Milioti’s Emmy Nod Highlights a Breakthrough
Cristin Milioti, recognized for her performances on acclaimed series such as The Sopranos, Fargo, and Black Mirror, received her first Emmy nomination for her role in The Penguin. Her portrayal of Sofia Falcone earned her a Critics’ Choice Award, along with nominations for Golden Globe, SAG, Independent Spirit, and Gotham TV Awards. Milioti recently appeared in the Black Mirror episode USS Callister: Into Infinity and will be featured in the upcoming Netflix animated film In Your Dreams, set to release in November.
Viewing Information and Upcoming Emmy Broadcast
The Penguin is currently available for streaming on HBO Max, giving audiences a chance to experience the series before the awards ceremony. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on September 14 at 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET, where the show’s multiple nominations will be showcased alongside other top contenders.
Industry Impact and What Lies Ahead for ‘The Penguin’
The recognition The Penguin has garnered not only underscores HBO’s stronghold on high-quality limited programming but also marks a milestone in Colin Farrell’s career with his first Emmy nomination. The series’ success reflects a growing audience and critical appreciation for complex storytelling that explores dark and nuanced themes. With several key nominations in writing, directing, and production categories, the creative team’s efforts have been widely acknowledged, which may encourage HBO to pursue additional seasons despite the current limited series classification.
As anticipation builds for the Emmy ceremony, the spotlight on The Penguin and its cast is likely to enhance their profiles and influence future projects within the industry, setting a high bar for storytelling and performance in limited series formats.
