As Emmy nominations rolled out this year, "Outlander" fans found themselves in a familiar yet frustrating position. Despite airing Part 1 of its seventh season from June 16 to August 11, 2023, on Starz, the fantasy epic was glaringly absent from the Emmy list. This marks the sixth consecutive year the show has been overlooked by the TV academy, leaving fans and cast members alike scratching their heads and questioning the biases within the awards system.
The Emmy snubs for "Outlander" are not new. The show last received a nomination in 2018 for Best Period Costumes, only to lose to “The Crown.” Before that, it faced defeats in 2016 and 2015 to “Game of Thrones” and “House of Cards,” respectively. The repeated overlooking of lead actors Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, along with the show’s talented writers, directors, and producers, has become a sore point for its dedicated fan base.
This year, Starz submitted an impressive lineup on the Emmy ballot, including Heughan and Balfe for leads, and supporting actors like John Bell, Richard Rankin, Charles Vandervaart, Sophie Skelton, and guest actor Mark Lewis Jones. Yet, despite these strong contenders, the romance drama failed to capture the attention of the Emmy voters. “What more can we do?” lamented a frustrated fan on social media. “It’s like they’re allergic to anything that doesn’t involve a courtroom or a murder investigation.”
One possible explanation for the snub is the TV academy's apparent disdain for the romance genre. Historical trends show a preference for crime and legal dramas. The sole recent exception is “Bridgerton,” which won awards for hairstyling thanks to its unprecedented viewership on Netflix. “Outlander,” airing on the less prominent Starz network, struggles to achieve similar recognition despite its loyal following and critical acclaim.
The ever-expanding world of television adds another layer of difficulty. As Gold Derby’s Stacy Henry noted, the current streaming era floods the market with content, making it nearly impossible for every deserving show to get noticed. “There’s just too much out there,” Henry explained. “Even outstanding series like ‘Outlander’ get lost in the shuffle.”
Despite the Emmy snubs, "Outlander" has not gone unrecognized. The show boasts a BAFTA Award for Best Actress (Balfe), multiple People’s Choice Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Gold Derby Awards.
The Emmy nominees for Best Drama Series this year include heavyweights like “The Crown,” “Fallout,” “The Gilded Age,” “The Morning Show,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Shogun,” “Slow Horses,” and “3 Body Problem.” While these shows undoubtedly deserve praise, “Outlander” fans can't help but feel their beloved series has been unjustly sidelined once again.
