Anticipation and truffle oil hung in the air on Friday night as stars of the small screen arrived in the Hollywood Hills in black Teslas and Escalades to celebrate this year’s Emmy Awards.
The “Shogun” actor and producer Hiroyuki Sanada; Quinta Brunson, the creator of “Abbott Elementary”; and the “Baby Reindeer” star and creator Richard Gadd were among the nominees who walked the black carpet at the party, which was put on by The Hollywood Reporter and SAG-AFTRA at Stanley II, a sprawling, hillside mansion that has been listed for $38 million.
Overlooking the twinkling lights of Los Angeles, guests ate truffle burgers and fries from Shake Shack and drank Emmy-themed Glenfiddich cocktails named “City of Stars,” “Red Carpet Cocktail” and “The FYC” (shorthand for the “for your consideration” award campaigns).
While some partygoers grazed a banquet-size charcuterie board and relaxed on couches near the house’s massive television screens — which played a slide show of photos featuring this year’s nominees — others migrated to the dance floor in the nightclub downstairs.
“It felt like we all pushed this big, huge boulder uphill, and now we’re enjoying the spoils of our work,” said Jane Wu, the supervising director and producer of “Blue Eye Samurai,” a Netflix animated series set in 17th-century Japan that won a Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding animated program this week.
Although it has been only eight months since television last hailed its accomplishments, this crowd welcomed a glittering industry hangout. The 2023 award ceremony, held in January, was delayed by union strikes, and dominated by the HBO show “Succession,” FX’s series “The Bear” and “Beef” on Netflix.
Although this was just one of many events that the celebrities were expected to grace this weekend, there was a sense of effervescence in the air that encouraged partygoers to mix and mingle.
Karen Pittman, a nominee for best supporting actress in a drama series for her role in “The Morning Show” on Apple TV+, warmed up the disco-ball-lit dance floor with her friends. Actresses Aja Naomi King and Stephanie Koenig from the Apple TV+ series “Lessons in Chemistry” chatted by one of the bars upstairs with Harvey Guillén, from “What We Do in the Shadows” on FX.
And as nominees showered their peers with compliments, the buzziest shows of the season became obvious: “The Bear,” “Baby Reindeer” on Netflix, and “Shogun” from FX.
“Shogun,” a period drama set in the final days of feudal Japan, is leading the Emmys this year with nominations. Other top contenders include “The Bear” and Hulu’s comedy series “Only Murders in the Building.”
Joely Fisher, an actress and the secretary-treasurer of SAG-AFTRA, and Lisa Ann Walter, from “Abbott Elementary,” walked the carpet together, cracking jokes and telling journalists that they wanted to get inside to dance to songs by Chappell Roan.
“I watch reality television — I don’t tell many people about it,” Ms. Fisher said with a giggle on her way inside. “I kind of love ‘Love is Blind.’”
SAG-AFTRA, which represents performers in video games, is on strike against video game companies that use actors’ images and voices. Guild members including Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef also recently signed an open letter demanding that union leaders call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and Israel, and protect pro-Palestine members from being blacklisted, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
And though union business was still front and center — “I want to unionize reality television,” Ms. Fisher added after sharing that she watched all of “Love is Blind: UK” — the party rolled on in full force.
John Bradley, an actor from “3 Body Problem,” a Netflix show about a group of scientists who face an extraterrestrial threat, used to play the lovable Samwell Tarly on “Game of Thrones.” He has attended the Emmys frequently over the years.
“When that ends, you think, ‘Well, that’s me out the door — I’m never going to get to come back here again,’” he said, adding that being back is “a really good feeling.”
First-time nominees like Salli Richardson-Whitfield, who’s up for best directing for a drama series for her HBO drama show “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” were also absorbing the excitement of being acknowledged on such a huge stage.
“I’ve never even been to the Emmys,” said Ms. Richardson-Whitfield, whose show also received a nomination for best guest actor in a drama series. “No matter what happens, I know that I made history.”
Even with the potential excitement and disappointment of Sunday’s awards looming over the room, it felt like many of the nominees had already made their peace.
“I keep forgetting that there’s going to be winners announced,” said Nava Mau, who plays Teri on “Baby Reindeer,” and is nominated for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie. “I just think we’re all here to celebrate, right?”
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