Apple TV Exec on When Widow’s Bay, Severance, Pluribus Will Return
Apple TV executives are beaming with pride as they celebrate their impressive Emmy nomination batting average. With a total of 87 nominations across 15 programs, this marks the platform’s best showing yet. What’s even more impressive is that these nominations came from just 31 titles that were submitted for voter consideration, less than half of what its competitors submitted.
“This just reinforces our strategy, the ‘quality over quantity’ approach to programming that continues to reward us,” says Apple TV programming head Matt Cherniss. “It certainly rewards the talent who decide to come here and make shows for our service.”
Leading the pack for Apple TV is the horror comedy “Widow’s Bay,” which premiered late in the Emmy eligibility cycle but managed to capture the attention of voters, landing 19 nominations, including one for best comedy series. Freshman drama “Pluribus” also received significant recognition with 18 nominations, including best drama. Other shows that received multiple nods include “Shrinking” (10), “Slow Horses” (9), “Palm Royale” (8), “Murderbot” (3), “Mr. Scorsese” (3), “The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy” (2), and “Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age” (2).
Despite the absence of some of its previous major Emmy contenders like “Severance,” “The Studio,” and “Ted Lasso,” Apple TV still managed to have its biggest year yet.
Variety had the opportunity to speak with Cherniss about the surprise success of “Widow’s Bay,” the return of shows like “Severance” and “Pluribus,” and more.
When asked about the success of “Widow’s Bay,” Cherniss expressed his belief in the show’s potential from the start. He mentioned that while the show premiered late in the year, it managed to find a large audience and generate buzz at just the right time for awards consideration.
Regarding the three episodes that missed the submission deadline, Cherniss explained that the focus was on launching the show successfully and reaching a wide audience. Despite the missed deadline, he believes that the performances and work in those episodes deserve recognition.
When questioned about the renewal of “Widow’s Bay,” Cherniss stated that there was no doubt in their minds about bringing the show back for multiple seasons and that they moved quickly to make the announcement.
As for the timing of Season 2, Cherniss mentioned that creator Katie Dippold is already thinking about it and will jump into it as soon as possible. While the show’s location in Massachusetts may pose some challenges for production, everyone is working diligently to deliver more episodes to the eager audience.
When asked about the possibility of having Season 2 ready for the next Emmy cycle, Cherniss admitted it would be tough but assured that there is more exciting content to come.
Regarding the return of “Pluribus,” Cherniss acknowledged that it might also be challenging to have it ready for the next Emmy cycle, especially with creator Vince Gilligan hard at work. Despite the obstacles, Apple TV remains committed to delivering high-quality content and continuing its success in the Emmy arena. Vince is really ambitious with Season 2 of the show, and he is taking the time to ensure that it lives up to everyone’s expectations. The show is quite complicated when it comes to executing and shooting, so fitting it into the next cycle might be tough. However, early drafts are already in progress, and everyone is moving at a good pace. It’s exciting to see the show come back with a bang.
As for the release date of the next season, there is no specific date available yet. The team is working diligently to bring the show back to the audience as soon as possible.
Moving on to “Severance,” the production is progressing well, and they are nearing the production phase. The material seen so far promises to deliver to the audience’s expectations. The goal is to continue to build on the success of the first two seasons and take the show to even greater heights.
Both “Pluribus” and “Severance” indeed take around 10 to 11 months to produce a season due to the complexities involved in the production and writing processes. It requires a significant amount of time and effort to ensure a high-quality end product.
Ben Stiller’s involvement in the show has been substantial, with him dedicating a lot of time and effort to ensure its success. Despite his busy schedule with other projects, Ben remains deeply involved in the show, and his contributions are invaluable to the team.
Looking ahead to next year, the comedy lineup is set to be impressive with the return of “Ted Lasso,” “The Studio,” and “Shrinking.” The new storyline and direction for “Shrinking” in Season 4 promise to be a refreshing take on the beloved characters while maintaining the essence of the show that fans love.
While “Your Friends & Neighbors” received a nomination, it was surprising that there were no acting nominations for the cast, especially considering their incredible performances. Nevertheless, being recognized as one of the best dramas on TV is a significant achievement for the show.
“The Morning Show” also received a nomination, and discussions are ongoing about the future of the show. With the team focused on the current season, any decision about the show’s continuation will be made in due time.
As for “The Savant,” there is no news to report at the moment, but any updates will be shared as soon as they are available.
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is gearing up for Season 2, with David E. Kelley leading the way. The show boasts a fantastic cast and promises to expand its scope as the seasons progress, keeping the audience engaged and excited.
“The Studio” is set to make a return next year, although the specific date has not been finalized yet. Fans can look forward to its comeback in the near future.
In conclusion, the upcoming seasons of these shows promise to be filled with excitement, drama, and entertainment. Fans can expect a lot of surprises and captivating storylines as the shows continue to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide.
