Introduction to the 2018 Emmy Awards Cycle
The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, honoring programming from the 2017–2018 season, took place in September 2018 and were presented across multiple ceremonies due to category splits. This guide covers the primary nominees and winners from those shows, focusing on the main Creative Arts and Primetime competitive categories. It is designed as an evergreen resource explaining nominee patterns, notable shifts, and how these years fit into broader Emmy history.
What the 2018 Emmy Nominating Cycle Included
The 2018 Emmy landscape covered two main ceremonies: the Creative Arts Emmy Awards (held in September 2018) and the Primetime Emmy Awards (held in September 2018 for the 70th edition). Nominations typically emerge in July, with ceremonies occurring in late summer. The cycle included programming originally aired between June 1 of the previous year and May 31 of the award year, with eligibility updates and category adjustments reflecting changes in viewing habits.
Key Ceremonies and Timing
- Creative Arts Emmy Awards: Held in September 2018, presenting honors for technical and craft categories as well as some competitive fields like guest acting.
- Primetime Emmy Awards: The 70th Primetime ceremony, also in September 2018, featured the major competitive categories across drama, comedy, and limited series.
Notable Nominees and Major Winners
In 2018, dominant shows across categories included Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale in drama, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in comedy. Significant wins highlighted emerging series as well as continued industry momentum for long-running leaders. Below is a snapshot of main category nominees and key winners from the 70th Primetime Emmys.
Outstanding Drama Series
| Nominees | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Crown (Netflix) | Nominated | Strong ensemble and period production design |
| Game of Thrones (HBO) | Won | Third consecutive win in this category |
| The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) | Nominated | Continued cultural and narrative impact |
| This Is Us (NBC) | Nominated | Emotional, family-centric storytelling |
| The West Wing (Peacock) | Nominated | Legacy prestige and political drama benchmark |
Outstanding Comedy Series
| Nominees | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Big Bang Theory (CBS) | Nominated | Established sitcom with consistent audience reach |
| The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) | Nominated | Limited series eligibility and high cultural profile |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon) | Won | Strong momentum, multiple wins across technical and performance categories |
| Schitt’s Creek (Pop TV) | Nominated | Critical acclaim and strong character arcs |
| Silicon Valley (HBO) | Nominated | Consistent comedic tone and satirical relevance |
Major Performance and Creative Honors
Leading and supporting performances, as well as writing and directing, saw notable recognition in 2018. The ceremonies emphasized both emerging talent and seasoned veterans, with several repeat winners across the Creative Arts events.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
| Nominees | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Cox (Succession) | Nominated | Early prestige drama performance |
| Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) | Won | Fourth win in this category |
| Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) | Nominated | Emotive, family storyline performance |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
| Nominees | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Claire Foy (The Crown) | Nominated | Nuanced portrayal of public and private life |
| Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) | Won | Intense commitment to challenging material |
| Robin Wright (House of Cards) | Nominated | Commanding political arc |
Creative and Technical Recognition
Beyond performances, the Creative Arts ceremony highlighted excellence in directing, writing, cinematography, production design, and sound editing. Certain programs earned multiple nominations by excelling across several technical domains, demonstrating how high production values contribute to competitive strength.
Notable Directing and Writing Winners
| Award | Winner | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Jeremy Podeswa | The Handmaid’s Tale | Episode: "Offred" |
| Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Alison Sicard & Emily Spivey | The Great British Bake Off (U.S.) | Variety sketch show writing |
| Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series | Robert McLachlan | The Man in the High Castle | Amazon series |
Context and Legacy of 2018 Nominations
The 2018 Emmy cycles reflected an industry balancing established hits with bold new entrants. Streaming platforms continued to increase their share of nominations, while legacy broadcast and cable shows maintained strong creative benchmarks. The ceremonies also underscored the importance of craft categories in shaping narrative impact, with technical wins often preceding or accompanying main-series victories.
How These Nominations Fit Into Emmy History
As part of the 70th Primetime celebration, the 2018 nominees and winners occupy a transitional moment: they followed a year of major category splits and preceded further expansion in streaming recognition. For long-term analysis, comparing these nominees with earlier and later years reveals trends in genre popularity, representation, and technology adoption. This guide serves as a durable reference linking 2018’s field to the broader evolution of Emmy programming and honors.