Why David Oyelowo & Carmen Ejogo Are Already Getting Emmy Buzz

It’s never too early to start award season predictions, especially for the Emmys, which honours some of our favourite TV shows and TV actors. The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and some great shows and performances are already garnering major buzz.

Two British-Nigerian actors, David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo are already being predicted to get some Emmy love. Oyelowo for his role as Javert in the BBC’s adaptation of Les Misérables; and Ejogo for her scene-stealing work in season 3 of True Detective.

(Photo: BBC/HBO)

Carmen Ejogo for True Detective (Supporting Actress in a Limited Series)

True Detective is already an Emmy-winning show, but its third season run was made all the more powerful by Ejogo’s expectedly fantastic performance. Brian Grubb of Uproxx praised her work, as well as that of her co-stars, Mahershala Ali and Stephen Dorff:

“Their performance in this season carried the show in some places and brought it to new heights in others. Between Carmen Ejogo, Ali, and Dorff, the acting throughout the season was top-notch.”

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek! is already recommending her for all the Emmys:

“Ejogo keeps Amelia amazingly restrained. The acting throughout the third season has been phenomenal, subtle and misleading.”

(Photo: HBO/True Detective)

David Oyelowo for Les Misérables (Supporting Actor in a Limited Series)

As for the non-musical TV adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel, Les Misérables, critics and fans are praising Oyelowo’s nuanced portrayal of the primary antagonist. Flora Carr of Radio Times said:

“The Selma actor stole every scene as the police inspector obsessed with bringing Dominic West’s Jean Valjean to justice”

Les Misérables is currently at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, and Alison Rowat of The Herald Scotland already gave Oyelowo’s performance an informal award, saying:

“Now That’s What I Call Acting Award: David Oyelowo, as Javert, gave a masterclass in showing, not telling.”

(Photo: BBC/Les Miserables)