Gillian Anderson will ‘Scoop’ up a lucky seventh Emmy nomination

Jacob Sarkisian
·5 min read
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Gillian Anderson was once the face of TV thanks to her role as Dana Scully in “The X-Files.” That show awarded her some healthy, consistent Emmy attention (more on that later) before she underwent a bit of a break from that awards applause for a while. However, Netflix’s “The Crown” gave her career something of a second wind (again, more on that later) and that Andernaissance (sorry) has continued here with “Scoop.”

Like “The Crown,” Anderson excels here portraying a real-life person in a true story concerning the royal family. While she played Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown,” she takes on the role of presenter and journalist Emily Maitlis in Netflix’s “Scoop.” This TV movie documents the behind-the-scenes story of how producer Samantha McAlister (Billie Piper) secured the “scoop of the decade” and landed that interview with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell).

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The TV movie is gripping from start to end and the performances are all top-notch, with Anderson standing out as Maitlis. She is suitably exacting, clinical, and precise in the role of Maitlis and nails down that raspy voice. Critics agree, this is another knock-out performance from Anderson.

Taylor Gates (Collider) explained: “Anderson is mesmerizing as Emily, who is a celebrity in her own right, as Amanda has as many questions for Sam about her as Sam does about Prince Andrew. Anderson makes it a blast to simply watch Emily work. Her ability to memorize and repeat details back quickly comes off like a magic trick, and you can feel her nerves as she prepares for what very well be a defining moment of her career — especially after she regrets how she fumbled a previous one involving Bill Clinton.”

Patrick Cremona (Radio Times) opined: “It also features some commendable performances, with Gillian Anderson excelling as Emily Maitlis – who is presented as a kind of superwoman, constantly flanked by her pet whippet.”

Nadia Dalimonte (Next Best Picture) observed: “Anderson truly shines. Through body language and tone, Anderson expertly conveys Maitlis’s intensity and concern. Using a tactic borrowed from McAlister when urging her to share advice, Maitlis withdraws full authority and lets Prince Andrew speak. She gives him every opportunity, whether to confess, show remorse, take accountability, or express concern for the victims, and he does none of those things.”

Our current predicted nominees for Best TV Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress are Kali Reis (“True Detective: Night Country”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Fargo”), Aja Naomi King (“Lessons in Chemistry”), Diane Lane (“Feud: Capote vs the Swans”), Nava Mau (“Baby Reindeer”), and Sandra Oh (“The Sympathizer”). However, Anderson has a stellar Emmys record with six nominations and two victories to her name so far.

She garnered four citations for Best Drama Actress for “The X-Files” in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, winning in 1997. Anderson then picked up a bid for Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actress in 2006 for”Bleak House” before being absent from the Emmys for 15 years until 2021. That year, she won Best Drama Supporting Actress for her aforementioned role in “The Crown.”

Her performance as Thatcher in “The Crown” returned her to Emmys attention after all those years and that is vital here. She is now firmly back on voters’ radars and that “The Crown” victory could still be carrying her some good will, which could result in an afterglow nomination here.

Voters clearly like Anderson portraying real people, too. She nailed the role of Thatcher, which was made difficult due to Meryl Streep‘s Oscar-winning performance in “The Iron Lady,” and she’s nailed the transformative role of Maitlis here. Voters will appreciate this as they often nominate actors for portraying real people, particularly in this category. Niecy Nash-Betts (“Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”), “Hamilton” duo Phillipa Soo and Renée Elise Goldsberry, “Mrs. America” trio Tracey Ullman, Uzo Aduba, and Margo Martindale, Margaret Qualley (“Fosse/Verdon”), Patricia Arquette (“The Act”), and “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” pair Penélope Cruz and Judith Light are all such nominees.

Anderson is also something of a TV legend and Emmy voters love this profile of performer in this category with the likes of Jean Smart (“Mare of Easttown”), Martindale (“Mrs. America”), Patricia Clarkson (“Sharp Objects”), Arquette (“The Act”), and Regina King (“American Crime” and “Watchmen”) all receiving nominations.

Voters also love stories about the royal family, with “The Crown” winning a whopping 21 Emmys. “The Crown” has also received 18 nominations in total for its various actors’ roles. They love this show because it’s meaty, juicy stories about the most famous family in world history. “Scoop” is also a meaty, juicy story about that family, giving the show an almost spin-off feel that could help it here with voters. If “Scoop” tickles voters the same way “The Crown” does, Anderson could benefit.

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