The 2024 Emmys delivered plenty of surprises, but one of the biggest shocks was how Fallout, Amazon Prime’s ambitious post-apocalyptic series, walked away with only two awards out of a staggering 16 nominations. Given the show’s hype, groundbreaking visuals, and massive fanbase, many thought it would snag at least a few major wins. So, what went down, and why did Fallout fall short? Let’s break it down.
Expectations for Fallout
When Fallout premiered, it was heralded as one of the most exciting sci-fi projects of the year. The show promised a rich, immersive world with stunning visuals and gripping storytelling—all set in the iconic universe of the Fallout video games. Fans and industry insiders alike anticipated that it would follow in the footsteps of other sci-fi heavyweights like The Mandalorian and Stranger Things, both of which have enjoyed consistent Emmy recognition.
It wasn’t unrealistic to expect that Fallout could clean up at the Emmys, especially in categories like Outstanding Drama Series, Acting, and Technical Achievements. After all, the show boasted complex world-building, stunning CGI, and an epic post-apocalyptic narrative, all of which have traditionally done well at awards shows. But in the end, Fallout walked away with just two wins—Outstanding Emerging Media Program and Outstanding Music Supervision—both in technical categories. No major acting or drama awards, no standout victories.
Brutal Competition
Part of Fallout’s struggle can be attributed to the stiff competition this year. For instance, FX’s Shōgun dominated the drama categories, racking up 18 wins, including Best Drama Series, Best Actor, and Best Directing. Shōgun’s impressive sweep left little room for other contenders to shine, especially in the drama and acting categories where Fallout had hoped to make a mark.
Meanwhile, on the comedy side, The Bear was a force to be reckoned with, securing 11 Emmys for its stellar performances and direction. Though The Bear and Fallout were in different categories, it illustrates the level of talent across the board at the 2024 Emmys. When you have shows delivering such knockout performances, even strong contenders like Fallout can struggle to stand out.
Why Didn’t Fallout Win More?
While Fallout delivered on visuals and atmosphere, critics pointed out that it may have fallen short on storytelling and character depth. Compared to shows like Game of Thrones or Westworld, which combined stunning visuals with intricate character development and political drama, Fallout seemed to lean more heavily on aesthetics than substance. Emmy voters often look for a balance between technical brilliance and emotional resonance, and it’s possible Fallout didn’t quite hit that sweet spot in its first season.
Another factor could be the Emmy voters’ historical bias against sci-fi. Even beloved sci-fi series like Stranger Things and The Mandalorian have struggled to win major acting or drama awards. While they rack up plenty of technical Emmys for visual effects, sound, and editing, they often fall short when it comes to the big categories like Best Drama or acting awards. Fallout seems to have followed this trend—strong technical recognition, but no big wins.
Sci-Fi’s Ongoing Struggles at the Emmys
This isn’t the first time a sci-fi series has been snubbed by the Emmys. Shows like Stranger Things and The Mandalorian have consistently received a ton of nominations but rarely take home the major awards. For example, The Mandalorian has earned 14 Emmys, mostly in technical categories like visual effects and sound editing, but has yet to win Best Drama or any acting awards.
Meanwhile, Stranger Things, despite being a pop culture phenomenon, has also primarily won in technical categories. Sci-fi, despite its massive popularity and storytelling potential, still seems to be an underdog when it comes to the major Emmy categories.
Sci-Fi and the Oscars: The Same Story
It’s not just the Emmys where sci-fi struggles; the Oscars have a similar history. No pure sci-fi film has ever won Best Picture. The closest was The Shape of Water, which leaned more toward fantasy and romance than true sci-fi. Even blockbusters like Gravity and Mad Max: Fury Road managed to clean up in technical categories but missed out on the top prize. Fallout seems to be the latest victim of this trend—high expectations, massive potential, but limited recognition in the biggest categories.
What’s Next for Fallout?
While Fallout may not have swept the Emmys in 2024, it’s not all bad news. The fact that it garnered 16 nominations in its debut season shows that it has a solid foundation, and the two technical awards it did win prove that the show excels in key areas. More importantly, this was just the first season. Many shows, including Game of Thrones, took a few seasons to hit their stride at the Emmys.
If Fallout can fine-tune its storytelling and character development, there’s no reason it couldn’t come back stronger in future seasons and start competing for those bigger awards. Sci-fi shows often play the long game, and Fallout is just getting started.
