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What our critics thought of this year’s Emmy nominees
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What our critics thought of this year’s Emmy nominees

From hotly anticipated seasons to surprise hits, the shows competing for the title of best drama at this year’s Emmy Awards have excited our own critics as much as anyone. We take a look back at the eight most outstanding dramas in the past year.

8 stories
Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Theo James and Meghann Fahy in The White Lotus.
★★★★½

The White Lotus is back - and it’s more delicious than ever

The second season of the hit HBO series heads to Sicily for a triumphant takedown of the darkest indulgences of humanity.

  • by Michael Idato
Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Andor.

Andor is a revelation and easily one of the best shows of the year

House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power can step aside. There’s a clear winner in the battle of the blockbuster prequels.

  • by Craig Mathieson
Brian Cox, Sarah Snook and Jeremy Strong in the final season of Succession.
★★★★★

‘A masterclass’: The best show on TV is headed for a buzzsaw finale

The fourth and final season of Succession is must-see TV: the mood grows more tense, the stakes are higher, and the possible outcomes plainly definitive.

  • by Craig Mathieson
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Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen and Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
★★★★

House of the Dragon proves a worthy heir to the Throne

The Game of Thrones prequel takes us back 200 years and dials up the power plays and political tension.

  • by Michael Idato
Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) in his dubiously appointed office.

‘Never close the door’: Better Call Saul’s creator on life after the show’s finale

One of TV’s most acclaimed series ends on Tuesday. Is it really the last we’ll see of the cast of characters it and its predecessor Breaking Bad introduced?

  • by Karl Quinn
Smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) is hired to transport a14-year-old girl in the new HBO drama The Last of Us.
★★★★

Chernobyl creator’s end-of-the-world series is bold and biting TV

HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us is the best video game adaptation yet made for the screen.

  • by Craig Mathieson
Christina Ricci as Misty and Elijah Wood as Walter in Season 2 of Showtime’s “Yellowjackets.”
★★★★

This out-of-nowhere hit is one of the most delicious shows on TV

An expertly crafted series that dines out on cannibalism, the horror-charged thriller Yellowjackets is an enthralling, emotionally knotty watch.

  • by Craig Mathieson
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II and Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip in The Crown.
★★★½

The Crown is still great TV, despite moments of borderline parody

The fifth season works, but only just. Is it because we’re creeping towards the present day, where contemporary images of the Royal Family are too familiar?

  • by Michael Idato

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/what-our-critics-thought-of-this-year-s-emmy-nominees-20230713-p5do06.html