- Share via
Unanimous No. 1 pick “Adolescence” and “The Penguin” are far ahead of the rest of the pack in the limited series race.
“‘The Penguin’ had this secured before ‘Adolescence’ took over, and no show is going to contend here except for these two,” says Trey Mangum.
“Both shows are explorations of toxic masculinity in their own way,” says Tracy Brown, but “Adolescence’s” “look at how it affects a specific young teen was quietly powerful.”
Matt Roush agrees: “The remarkable novice actor Owen Cooper gave the breakthrough performance of the year as the schoolboy accused of an unthinkable crime.”
Glenn Whipp calls “Adolescence” “a powerful, dramatic story told with invention and artistry. It’s far and away the class of this year’s limited series contenders and deserves every Emmy coming its way.”
Lorraine Ali laments, “The tight race leaves little hope for ‘Black Mirror’s’ best season in ages.”
More predictions: Limited / TV movie actor | Limited / TV movie actress
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
3. “Dying for Sex”
4. “Black Mirror”
5. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
Los Angeles Times
Lorraine Ali
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
T3. “Dying for Sex”
T3. “Black Mirror”
T3. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“Netflix’s intense ‘Adolescence,’ about a British family rocked by their teen’s involvement in a murder, is the series to beat, though ‘The Penguin’ — HBO’s dark origin story about Batman’s waddling nemesis — is a close second. The tight race leaves little hope for ‘Black Mirror’s’ best season in ages.”
Entertainment Weekly
Kristen Baldwin
1. “Adolescence”
2. “Dying for Sex”
3. “The Penguin”
4. “Black Mirror”
5. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“After ‘Beef’ and ‘Baby Reindeer,’ Netflix is poised to three-peat in this category with their one-take crime-drama phenomenon, ‘Adolescence.’”
Los Angeles Times
Tracy Brown
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
3. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
4. “Dying for Sex”
5. “Black Mirror”
“When ‘The Penguin’ was released, I thought the gangster show about the rise of the iconic Batman villain had this race locked. Then came ‘Adolescence.’ Both shows are explorations of toxic masculinity in their own way, but the latter’s look at how it affects a specific young teen was quietly powerful.”
Shadow and Act
Trey Mangum
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
3. “Dying for Sex”
4. “Black Mirror”
5. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“‘The Penguin’ had this secured before ‘Adolescence’ took over, and no show is going to contend here except for these two. It’s unfortunate for ‘Black Mirror,’ which had some standout episodes this season.”
TV Guide
Matt Roush
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
3. “Dying for Sex”
4. “Black Mirror”
5. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“‘Adolescence’ is this year’s ‘Baby Reindeer,’ an out-of-nowhere and underhyped Netflix stunner with emotional power to spare. The remarkable novice actor Owen Cooper gave the breakthrough performance of the year as the schoolboy accused of an unthinkable crime. HBO’s engrossing ‘The Penguin’ also defied expectations, but it’s a distant second.”
Los Angeles Times
Glenn Whipp
1. “Adolescence”
2. “The Penguin”
3. “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
4. “Black Mirror”
5. “Dying for Sex”
“‘Adolescence’ has it all — popular appeal, critical approval and the force of a powerful, dramatic story told with invention and artistry. It’s far and away the class of this year’s limited series contenders and deserves every Emmy coming its way.”
Sign up for The Envelope
Get exclusive awards season news, in-depth interviews and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis straight to your inbox.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
