Emmys spotlight global TV shift

UK dominates as Gaza docs and European dramas earn top honours

The 53rd International Emmy Awards unfolded in New York with the United Kingdom dominating the global honours, while Spain, Brazil and Turkiye also secured major wins and two documentaries on Gaza earned landmark recognition in the non-fiction categories.

The ceremony, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, brought together television creators from 26 countries for an evening that reflected the breadth and ambition of international storytelling across drama, documentary, current affairs, children's programming and digital formats.

Among the most prominent winners was the UK's 'Rivals', adapted from Dame Jilly Cooper's 1988 novel, which secured the award for best drama series. The Disney+ production, featuring David Tennant, Danny Dyer and Emily Atack, explores the political and personal rivalries of the fictional English county of Rutshire.

Its success also comes as the show prepares for a second series with new cast additions, underscoring its global resonance. Another major UK winner was the BBC comedy-drama 'Ludwig', which took home the award for best comedy.

Starring Anna Maxwell-Martin and David Mitchell, the show blends mystery and offbeat humour in a story about twin brothers whose intertwined lives unravel through a family disappearance.

Maxwell-Martin had an exceptional evening, also winning best actress for her role in the ITV true-crime series 'Until I Kill You', an adaptation of Delia Balmer's autobiography detailing her relationship with a convicted serial killer.

Spain enjoyed significant success with Oriol Pla winning best actor for his performance in the Disney+ drama 'Yo, Adicto', a series centred on a man seeking professional help for addiction, while the Spanish documentary '#SeAcabó' secured the award for best sports documentary.

Turkiye also featured prominently, with Madd Entertainment's 'The Good and The Bad' winning best telenovela, further cementing the country's strong presence in international scripted formats.

Brazil, meanwhile, saw its long-time media leader Joao Roberto Marinho, Chairman and President of Grupo Globo, honoured with the Directorate Award for his leadership in strengthening independent journalism and cultural programming.

The Founders Award was presented to Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, acknowledging her decades-long influence on global television, including acclaimed series such as '24', 'Glee', 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Homeland'.

A striking moment of the evening came with the wins for two Gaza-related documentaries, marking the first time the conflict featured so prominently across non-fiction categories.

The UK's Channel 4 'Dispatches: Kill Zone – Inside Gaza' won best current affairs for its reporting on Palestinian civilians affected by Israeli military operations. Qatar's 'Gaza, Search for Life' won the news category for its on-ground coverage of humanitarian challenges inside the enclave.

Both wins underscored the global appetite for detailed investigative journalism and the Emmys' willingness to recognise politically sensitive work.

The UK's strong performance extended to several additional categories. BBC Two's 'Hell Jumper' was named best documentary for its frontline storytelling featuring volunteers in Ukraine, while the BBC's 'Lost Boys & Fairies', a drama following a queer couple navigating the adoption process, won best TV movie/mini-series.

Apple TV's 'Fallen' earned the children's live-action award with its portrayal of a teenager adjusting to life in a rehabilitation facility, and 'The Gangs of Haiti', produced by a UK team, was among the nominees in the news category.

The award for children's animation went to Australia's 'Bluey', a globally popular series that continues to resonate with families worldwide. Denmark's 'Shaolin Heroes' won in non-scripted entertainment, delivering an unconventional reality concept that follows contestants who abandon ordinary life to pursue martial arts training.

Germany's 'Auf Fritzis Spuren – Wie war das so in der DDR?' won in the children's factual and entertainment category, offering young audiences insights into life in the former East Germany.

Canada's 'La Médiatrice' won best short-form series for its tightly constructed storytelling about conflict resolution. Japan's 'Ryuichi Sakamoto: Last Days', a documentary on the final months of the celebrated musician, secured the best arts programming award.

India, which entered the ceremony with strong expectations, left without a win. The biographical film 'Amar Singh Chamkila' received two nominations, including one for actor Diljit Dosanjh, but did not convert either into a victory, illustrating the intense competition across categories.

The diversity of the winners, according to International Academy President and CEO Bruce L Paisner, highlighted television's enduring ability to connect audiences across cultures and borders during a period marked by global uncertainty.

His comments reflected the ceremony's broader theme: that compelling narratives, regardless of language or geography, continue to define the evolving landscape of international television.