Being a member of the Television Academy has given me the privilege of watching as many American television series as possible during Emmy® FYC season. I stopped watching television after coming to the U.S. for college because I didn’t own a TV. It wasn’t until Netflix began streaming in the 2000s that I started watching television again. We are truly living in the golden age of television. I probably wouldn’t have returned to watching TV if not for streaming, which allowed me to binge entire series at my own pace. I honestly don’t understand how people once waited an entire week for a new episode to air. What a waste of time!? Here’re my favorite television series this Emmy® FYC Season.
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox
Not only is it based on a true story, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox also had the real Amanda Knox serving as an Executive Producer. Everything about the series and its production was exceptional. I was also delighted to discover that my Director of Photography, Quyen Tran, on The People I’ve Slept With directed the final two episodes of the series. Kudos!
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy
Because of Gacy’s notoriety, I had avoided every film and television series made about John Wayne Gacy. But when I watched Devil in Disguise, I was mesmerized by Michael Chernus’ performance, which brought humanity, sympathy, and even moments of lightness to his portrayal of John Wayne Gacy—illuminating him not simply as a monster, but as a deeply flawed and disturbingly human psychotic killer.
From (Season 4)
As a sci-fi and horror fan, From is probably one of the best television shows in the genre. Even though I do feel that each season is slightly stretched across ten hour-long episodes, I’m still completely compelled to binge Season 4.
Widow’s Bay
As a horror fan, I’m thoroughly enjoying Widow’s Bay, a horror-comedy series starring the always compelling Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a seaside island plagued by an enigmatic curse. It’s an unexpected and refreshing series that balances genuine horror with sharp comedic moments.
Vanished
A mystery-thriller limited series, Vanished plays like a female-driven version of Taken. What stood out most to me was the friendship between Kaley Cuoco’s American professor, Alice Monroe, and Karin Viard’s French journalist, Hélène Lando. Cuoco and Viard humorously and poignantly portray the complexities of female friendship in our generation.
The Lowdown
This noir mystery-comedy limited series is possibly Ethan Hawke’s most compelling work yet. Hawke’s hilarious performance as Lee Raybon, a washed-up single-parent private detective, had me glued to the screen from the first episode to the last.
The Last Frontier
From The Blacklist creator Jon Bokenkamp, The Last Frontier is an action procedural in the vein of Con Air meets Lost, set against the rugged backdrop of Alaska. The series compelled and delighted me so much that I binged the entire season in just two days. If you enjoy James Bond-style action and intrigue, The Last Frontier is a must-see.
