Baby Reindeer scoops major awards at 2024 Emmys

Scottish star Richard Gadd has collected three gongs for writing, producing and starring in Netflix hit series Baby Reindeer during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Gadd gave emotional speeches on stage at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles after scooping awards for the thriller about a female stalker, said to be inspired by his real-life experiences.

“This is the stuff of dreams,” he said after winning his first Emmy in writing, before collecting outstanding limited or anthology series and lead actor in the same category.

TV shows The Bear and Shogun also scooped big awards during the 76th awards ceremony, including gongs for lead actors Jeremy Allen White and Hiroyuki Sanada respectively.

Sanada also won an award for producing Shogun, a Japanese historical drama based on James Clavell’s best-selling novel, set during the 1600s.

Sanada said he was “beyond honoured”, describing the drama as an “east meets west dream project with respect”.

“Shogun taught me that when people work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gadd said the gongs for Baby Reindeer proved that “there’s no set formula” to success, despite there being a “slump” in the industry.

“The only constant across any success in television is good storytelling, good storytelling that speaks to our times. So take risks, push boundaries, explore the uncomfortable, dare to fail in order to achieve,” he told the audience.

“Look, 10 years ago I was down and out. I never ever thought I’d get my life together,” Gadd said during his first on stage speech.

“I never ever thought I’d be able to rectify myself what had happened to me and get myself back on my feet again, and then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.

“I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere.

“I don’t know much about this life, I don’t know why we are here, none of that, but I do know that nothing lasts forever, and no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better.

“So if you’re struggling, keep going – keep going and I promise you things will be okay.”

After collecting his acting prize, Gadd also thanked his mother and father who “never, ever told me what I needed to do with my life”, which he described as “the greatest gift a parent can give a child”.

“They always said follow your heart and the rest will fall into place, and I think it’s good advice, follow your heart and the rest will fall into place,” he added.

His co-star Jessica Gunning also won the Emmy for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series for playing Martha Scott, who stalks Gadd’s character Donny Dunn in the show.

“I am so incredibly proud to be a part of Baby Reindeer,” she said on stage.

“My biggest thanks has to go to Mr Richard Gadd. I tried so many times to put into words what working on Baby Reindeer meant to me and I fail every time. So, I’m going to sing,” she joked.

“Thank you for trusting me to be your Martha. I will never, ever forget her or you or this.”

The show made headlines after a woman, who claimed to be the inspiration behind the character Martha, filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the story of being inaccurate.

Baby Reindeer was not alone in receiving multiple gongs, with hit series The Bear also taking home a number of wins.

In their opening monologue, father-son hosting duo Eugene and Dan Levy joked that the show – officially deemed a comedy programme  – would be better off categorised as a drama.

The series is about a star chef (Jeremy Allen White) who returns to Chicago to run the family business after the death of his brother.

Allen White described himself as “so, so, so lucky” after picking up the Emmy for lead actor in a comedy series for his role as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto.

“This show has changed my life, it has instilled a faith that change is possible, that change is possible if you are able to reach out, you are really truly not actually alone,” he said on stage.

His win came after US actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach won best supporting actor in a comedy for his role as restaurant manager Richard “Richie” Jerimovich in The Bear.

Christopher Storer picked up the directing award.

The ceremony also saw The Bear actress Liza Colon-Zayas win an Emmy for best supporting actress for her role as Tina.

She told the audience she “revered” the women in the category including Carol Burnett and Meryl Streep.

Australian star Elizabeth Debicki won her first Emmy Award for her role as Diana, Princess of Wales in Netflix’s The Crown; a fictionalised drama about the British royal family.

“Playing this part based on this unparalleled, incredible human being, has been my great privilege – it has been a gift,” she said on stage after collecting the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama.

The ceremony marked the second time Hollywood stars descended upon the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the best in television this year, after the September 2023 ceremony was initially postponed due to the US writers’ and actors’ strikes.