69th Primetime Emmy Awards: A Night of Streaming Milestones and Historic Wins
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on September 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, marked a significant turning point in the television landscape. Hosted by Stephen Colbert, the ceremony celebrated the pinnacle of excellence in broadcasting and streaming, highlighting a year where prestige dramas and sharp comedies pushed the boundaries of storytelling.
From the Creative Arts Awards held on September 9–10 to the main event, the evening was defined by the dominance of major networks and the rising influence of streaming platforms. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized a diverse array of talent, from legendary veterans to groundbreaking new voices.
Key Facts
- Host: Stephen Colbert
- Location: Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California
- Major Winner (Series): Big Little Lies (Limited Series), The Handmaid's Tale (Drama), and Veep (Comedy).
- Most Awards Won: Saturday Night Live (9 awards total).
- Most Nominations: Veep (10 nominations) and Feud: Bette and Joan (10 nominations).
- Top Network by Nominations: HBO (46 nominations).
Major Series Winners and Highlights
The 2017 awards showcased a competitive field across all major categories. In the realm of scripted series, Veep (HBO) secured the win for Outstanding Comedy Series, while The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu) took home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series. The Limited Series category saw Big Little Lies (HBO) emerge victorious.
Variety programming also saw significant recognition, with Saturday Night Live (NBC) winning Outstanding Variety Sketch Series and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) winning Outstanding Variety Talk Series. In the reality space, The Voice (NBC) was named the winner for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program.
Summary of Major Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Comedy Series | Veep | HBO |
| Outstanding Drama Series | The Handmaid's Tale | Hulu |
| Outstanding Limited Series | Big Little Lies | HBO |
| Outstanding Variety Sketch Series | Saturday Night Live | NBC |
| Outstanding Variety Talk Series | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | HBO |
| Outstanding Television Movie | Black Mirror: San Junipero | Netflix |
| Outstanding Reality-Competition Program | The Voice | NBC |
Acting Excellence: Lead and Supporting Roles
The acting categories featured a blend of powerhouse performances. In the comedy categories, Donald Glover won for Atlanta, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus continued her historic run with a win for Veep.
The drama categories were equally impactful. Sterling K. Brown earned Outstanding Lead Actor for This Is Us, while Elisabeth Moss took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role in The Handmaid's Tale.
Limited series performers also received high honors. Riz Ahmed won Outstanding Lead Actor for The Night Of, and Nicole Kidman secured Outstanding Lead Actress for Big Little Lies.
Supporting Performance Winners
Supporting roles were vital to the success of this year's winning programs. Notable winners included:
- Alec Baldwin: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Saturday Night Live)
Alec Baldwin, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series winner - Kate McKinnon: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Saturday Night Live)
Kate McKinnon, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series winner - John Lithgow: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (The Crown)
John Lithgow, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series winner - Ann Dowd: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (The Handmaid's Tale)
Ann Dowd, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series winner - Alexander Skarsgård: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Big Little Lies)
Alexander Skarsgård, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie winner - Laura Dern: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Big Little Lies)
Laura Dern, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie winner
Technical Achievements: Directing and Writing
Beyond acting, the technical crafts of directing and writing were celebrated. Donald Glover achieved a dual victory, winning for both Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Atlanta. Reed Morano was recognized for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for The Handmaid's Tale, while Bruce Miller won for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the same program.
In the limited series and movie categories, Jean-Marc Vallée won for directing Big Little Lies, and Charlie Brooker took home the writing award for the Black Mirror episode "San Junipero."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards?
The ceremony was hosted by comedian and late-night host Stephen Colbert.
Which network received the most nominations?
HBO led the field with a total of 46 nominations.
What was the most awarded program of the night?
While Big Little Lies won 5 major awards, Saturday Night Live earned a total of 9 awards across the ceremony.
Which series won the Outstanding Drama Series award?
The Handmaid's Tale, airing on Hulu, won the award for Outstanding Drama Series.
Who won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series?
Donald Glover won the award for his performance in Atlanta.
Where were the 69th Emmy Awards held?
The awards ceremony took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.