Fox is making the case for his crime anthology series “Accused” for this year’s Emmys.
The freshman series will be vying for consideration in the limited series or anthology categories, and Variety can exclusively reveal the creative teams’ plans to submit its sprawling set and respective races.
Although each episode tackles a new story with different characters, settings, and topics, the cast chose to split into distinct cast races.
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Emmy winner Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”), who stars in the pilot episode titled “Scott’s Story,” portraying a successful neurosurgeon on trial for providing material assistance to a school shooter, will be submitted in the limited category of the main actor. His episode will also serve as a writing submission for creator and executive producer Howard Gordon. Additionally, Chiklis stepped behind the camera as director for the episode “Jack’s Story” with Jason Ritter. He will be among three submissions to direct the anthology, including early television directors who are already household names – Marlee Matlin, Oscar winner and four-time Emmy nominee for “Ava’s Story” and Billy Porter, Emmy winner for “Robyn’s Story.”
Other main cast candidates include Whitney Cummings, who stars in the episode “Brenda’s Story”, where she plays a comedian who is assaulted by another comedian. She will be the only submission for the limited lead actress.
It’s been 37 years since Malcolm-Jamal Warner received his only Emmy nomination for playing Theo Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show.’ Coming off of his second Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album, he hopes to be a surprise lead actor for his role as Kendall Gomillion, a father whose daughter is sexually assaulted and takes the law into his own hands. Additionally, his “Kendall’s Story” co-star, veteran actor Wendell Pierce as the detective investigating the case, will be campaigning for his first career Emmy nomination for a supporting dramatic actor.
Non-binary actor J. Harrison Ghee has already presented an outstanding year. Kicking off as one of Variety 10 Broadway Stars to Watch, they chose to star as lead drama alongside Chiklis and Warner for Porter’s leading episode in which they play Kevin, a drag performer who falls in love with a locked up homosexual.
“Accused” will mark one of four possible shots at Emmy recognition for three-time Emmy winner Margo Martindale. The veteran character actress will be submitted for her episode “Laura’s Story” and her role as Maureen in “The Watcher” in the limited supporting actress. She is also eligible for guest dramatic actress for Showtime’s “Mrs. Davis” and “Your Honor.”
Fox also plans to submit the series in the casting, cinematography, editing, sound editing and sound mixing categories.
It will be difficult for the show to crack the lineup, with several series for only five or six slots available (depending on the number of submissions) and competing with Apple’s “Black Bird”, HBO’s “Love & Death” and Netflix’s Beef. .”
“Accused” was recently renewed for a second season by Fox after debuting as one of the highest-rated TV dramas in two years.