November 26, 2024: The 2024 International Emmy Awards saw The Night Manager, India’s entry in the Best Drama Series category, face fierce competition but ultimately lose out to the French series Les Gouttes de Dieu (The Drops of God).
The crime thriller, which starred Aditya Roy Kapur, Anil Kapoor, and Sobhita Dhulipala, was up against three other strong contenders: The Newsreader (Australia), Iosi, El Espia Arrepentido (Argentina), and Les Gouttes de Dieu. While The Night Manager didn’t take home the top prize, the recognition of being nominated was a significant achievement for the series.
The team of The Night Manager made a memorable appearance on the red carpet at the event, with Aditya Roy Kapur looking sharp in a black tuxedo. In a statement shared earlier, Anil Kapoor expressed his excitement about the nomination, reflecting on his initial hesitations about taking on a role made famous by Hugh Laurie. He said, “This validation from the Emmys… is a worthy reminder that hard work always pays.” The show, directed by Sandeep Modi, has been praised for its adaptation of the original British series, and Kapoor’s portrayal of the complex character was a highlight for many.
Vir Das, who hosted the International Emmy Awards for the first time, stole the show with his witty humor and impeccable timing. The comedian, who won his first Emmy in 2023 for his Netflix special Landing, shared his excitement on Instagram ahead of the event, calling it “a massive prestigious night.” Das, who is also currently touring internationally with his Mind Fool show, became the first Indian to host the prestigious awards ceremony, adding a personal touch to the event with his hilarious banter.
Other notable wins at the ceremony included the International Emmy for Arts Programming, which went to Pianoforte, and the Emmy for Non-Scripted Entertainment, which was awarded to Restaurant Misverstand – Season 2 (The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes). Aokbab-Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying won the award for Best Performance by an Actress for her role in Hunger.
Despite the loss, the presence of The Night Manager and the recognition of Indian talent like Vir Das at the International Emmys speaks to the growing influence of Indian content on the global stage. The awards, held in New York, were a celebration of international creativity and collaboration in television.