Netflix became the first streaming service to win the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program last year, but past winners like “Bob’s Burgers” have gotten more competitive.
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 15 to June 26, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 12. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be presented over two consecutive nights on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, with an edited presentation of the ceremonies to be broadcast on FXX at a later date. Finally, the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards take place on Monday, September 18, and air live on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
The State of the Race
What started as a tough year for Netflix Animation ended triumphantly with “Arcane: League of Legends” winning the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program in September, after it had already dominated the 2022 Annie Awards, and then “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” winning just about every Best Animated Film trophy that awards bodies had to offer throughout Oscar season.
Unfortunately, on the Primetime Emmys front, the streaming service may have a harder time getting a repeat win. It has been over a decade since a TV special won the category, so as starry and visually striking as it is, Kenya Barris and Kid Cudi’s “Entergalactic” faces an uphill battle securing a nomination. Neither “Big Mouth” nor its spin-off “Human Resources” received a nomination in the category last year, so the former is out to redeem itself, but that happens often since many of the contenders have been on the air so long.
Netflix’s best shot may be its newest animated series “Agent Elvis,” which was conceived well before the 2022 Warner Bros. film reignited interest in the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but benefits from the movie’s popularity. It also is just a lot smarter and better animated than one would expect from the jokey premise of Elvis being a spy.
But enough about Netflix. Adult Swim has two series in contention this year that have won the category in the past. In fact, last year was the first time “Rick and Morty” was nominated and did not win. Though it was nominated this year for the Annie Award equivalent of Outstanding Animated Program, while the other aforementioned Adult Swim winner “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal” was not, the hit series may have lost its luster in wake of controversies surrounding the now ousted co-creator/lead voice actor Justin Roiland. “Tuca & Bertie,” also nominated for the same Annie Award category this year, may actually be the show that gets in for Adult Swim this time.
As for what actually won the Annie Award for Best TV/Media – Mature, it was two-time Outstanding Animated Program winner “Bob’s Burgers” (FOX), so right now that series is in the best position to ultimately win the Emmy this September.
Current Contenders (In Alphabetical Order):
“Agent Elvis” (Netflix)
“Archer” (FXX)
“Big Mouth” (Netflix)
“Bob’s Burgers” (FOX)
“Entergalactic” (Netflix)
“Family Guy” (FOX)
“Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal” (Adult Swim)
“Harley Quinn” (HBO Max)
“HouseBroken” (FOX)
“The Legend of Vox Machina” (Amazon Prime Video)
“Rick and Morty” (Adult Swim)
“South Park” (Comedy Central)
“Star Trek: Lower Decks” (Apple TV+)
“The Simpsons” (FOX)
“Tuca & Bertie” (Adult Swim)
More Category Predictions:
Outstanding Talk Series
Outstanding Scripted Variety Series
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
To see IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 75th Emmy Awards click here.
Last Year’s Winner: “Arcane: League of Legends”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: Last year, Netflix became the first streaming service to ever win this category. It has ample chance to keep the streak going this year, even with “Arcane: League of Legends” out of contention, but 2021 winner “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal” could also build a streak with an Emmy for Season 2.
Notable Ineligible Series: “Arcane: League of Legends” (Season 2 was not eligible); “Human Resources” (Season 2 was not eligible); “What If…?” (Season 2 was not eligible); “Undone” (Season 3 was not eligible)
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