It’s time once again for our annual Critics’ Pick Award nominations! It’s an understatement to say that 2020’s been an unusual time. Covid-19 restrictions put a major damper on our awards season this year, cutting our theatre division drastically and shutting down the cinema awards entirely. But television, boy, television was our everything this year. Television saved us. It gave us stability and company and took us outside of the tiny worlds we were trapped in. Television, in all its ever-expanding redefined forms, was our 2020 lifeline.
We watched more than 600 eligible television shows in order to make this list of nominations and we’re really proud of the diversity it reflects. All kinds of creators creating all kinds of content on all kinds of platforms within all kinds of genres contributed to the landmark year that was 2020 on TV. This list just barely scratches the surface.
Who Qualifies?
Any show that released new episodes on TV or online between January 1st and December 31st was considered for nomination. We tried to be as fair as possible with the division of categories (especially when it came to genre) but it’s not an exact science.
Who Picks the Winners?
Our Editors and Staff Writers all get a say but we use your votes for tie breakers and to choose a Fan Favourite so be sure to share your thoughts on Twitter or shoot us an email to editors@myentertainmentworld.ca.
Without further ado, this year’s nominees are…
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy
“Protest, Drug Test and One Leaves the Nest” by Debby Wolfe (The Conners)
“Whenever You’re Ready” by Michael Schur (The Good Place)
“Dark Quiet Death” by Katie McElhenney (Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet)
“California (Part 2)” by Owen Ellickson (Superstore)
“We Know the Way Out” by Andy Wolton (Trying)
Outstanding Writing for a Drama
“Sandeep” by George Kay (Criminal)
“Trouble Don’t Last Always, Part 1: Rue” by Sam Levinson (Euphoria)
“Induction” by Mickey Down & Konrad Kay (Industry)
“Phyllis” by Dahvi Waller (Mrs. America)
“Watershed” by Brett Goldstein & William Bridges (Soulmates)
Outstanding Ensemble
The Boys
Industry
Mythic Quest Raven’s Banquet
Vida
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Kerry Godliman (After Life)
Kayla Cromer (Everything’s Gonna be Okay)
Lisa Kudrow (Feel Good)
Emma Mackey (Sex Education)
Imelda Staunton (Trying)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
GaTa (Dave)
Joseph Julian Soria (Gentefied)
Jaren Lewison (Never Have I Ever)
John Cameron Mitchell (Shrill)
Theo Germaine (Work in Progress)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Rachel Skarsten (Batwoman)
Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul)
Sonja Sohn (The Chi)
Erin Doherty (The Crown)
Shannon Thornton (P-Valley)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
LaRoyce Hawkins (Chicago PD)
Shane Harper (Hightown)
Stephan James (Homecoming)
Wyatt Oleff (I Am Not Okay with This)
Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels)
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy
Pamela Adlon (Better Things)
Katherine Ryan (The Duchess)
Mae Martin (Feel Good)
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever)
Melissa Barrera (Vida)
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Comedy
John Goodman (The Conners)
Daniel Radcliffe (Miracle Workers)
Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest Raven’s Banquet)
Asa Butterfield (Sex Education)
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama
Sophia Lillis (I Am Not Okay With This)
Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You)
Natalie Dormer (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels)
Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America)
Shira Haas (Unorthodox)
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama
Josh O’Connor (The Crown)
David Tennant (Des)
Diego Luna (Narcos: Mexico)
Ben Mendelsohn (The Outsider)
Daniel Zovatto (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels)
Outstanding Guest Performance
JK Simmons (Defending Jacob)
Colman Domingo (Euphoria)
Jake Johnson (Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet)
Adam Rodriguez (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels)
Sean Patrick Thomas (SWAT)
Outstanding Reality Star
Enzo Palumbo (Big Brother: All Stars)
Maxime Merkouchenko (The Circle France)
Dior Walker-Scott (Last Chance U)
Tony Vlachos (Survivor: Winners at War)
Melissa King (Top Chef All Stars LA)
Outstanding Reality Competition/Game Show
The Circle
Making the Cut
Survivor
To Tell the Truth
Ultimate Tag
Outstanding Docuseries
Cheer
Hillary
Last Chance U
Love on the Spectrum
Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak
Outstanding Variety Show
The Amber Ruffin Show
Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun
Baroness von Sketch Show
How To with John Wilson
Middleditch & Schwartz
Outstanding Animated Series
Big Mouth
Bob’s Burgers
Bojack Horseman
The Midnight Gospel
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Outstanding Comedy Series
Everything’s Gonna Be Ok
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet
Never Have I Ever
Ramy
Sex Education
Outstanding Drama Series
Criminal
The Crown
Fargo
The Outsider
The Plot Against America