TV shows with the most 2020 Golden Globe nominations
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's 77th Golden Globe Awards ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2020, to recognize greatness in film and television across 25 categories from Best Original Song to Best Director. Begun in 1944, the awards not only showcase great performances but also raise money for charity and fund scholarships for impoverished young performers.
The nominations, announced Dec. 9, showcase the diversity of offerings on today's small and silver screens, and include a few surprises. For the first time in history, not a single broadcast television series (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and The CW) was nominated. Meanwhile, Apple TV+ is officially the first streaming service to have a show nominated for a Golden Globe the same year as the service's launch. Streaming services swept in general: Netflix alone garnered 17 nominations for various series and movies, with HBO in second place with 15. Nominees include wide-ranging genres from historical drama and comedy to fantasy series.
Stacker referred to the full list of 2020 Golden Globe nominations (based on Dec. 9 data) to curate a gallery showcasing every television series and miniseries, ranked according to nominations from one to four. To be eligible for a nomination, series had to first air during prime time slots between 8 and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday (or be made available for viewing on-demand). To make this year's cutoff, newer shows needed to air at least 150 minutes of content by Nov. 25, 2019.
Keep reading to see how many nominations your favorite series got.
#17. Game of Thrones (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 9.4
- Votes: 1,612,100
- Where to watch: HBO
The epic HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones” produced somewhat of a letdown with its eighth and final season—its lowest-rated to date also garnered just a single Golden Globe nomination for Kit Harington’s portrayal of Jon Snow. Given the series has won 58 Primetime Emmys and received 161 nominations, setting records for both, the show went out with a relative whimper in 2019.
#17. Pose (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 12,664
- Where to watch: FX
Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s “Pose” earned a solo nomination for the 2020 Golden Globes; however, its nominee, Billy Porter (Best Actor, Drama), made history a year ago when his portrayal of Pray Tell made him the first openly gay black man to be nominated and win a lead acting Emmy. The FX hit, which is about LGBTQ+ ballroom culture in 1980s and 1990s New York City, was renewed for a third season.
#17. Mr. Robot (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 293,680
- Where to watch: USA
Rami Malek was nominated for Best Actor as Elliot Alderson in “Mr. Robot,” the show’s only nod for 2020. The USA Network drama about a cybersecurity engineer and part-time hacker is in its fourth successful season. Malek won the Lead Actor Primetime Emmy for the role in 2016.
#17. Dead to Me (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 29,421
- Where to watch: Netflix
“Dead to Me,” a black comedy on Netflix about the two broad ways we deal with loss—anger and optimism—earned lead Christina Applegate a nomination for Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical. Along with co-star Linda Cardellini (her emotional opposite and new friend), Applegate and “Dead to Me” generated high praise in its first season and was recently renewed for round two.
#17. Ramy (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 2,678
- Where to watch: Hulu
Ramy Youssef, who plays the titular character by the same name, "Ramy," is nominated for Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical. The surprise breakout Hulu show portrays a son of Egyptian immigrants in New Jersey and how he reconciles his family's values with those of a modern-day millennial.
#17. The Spy (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 16,877
- Where to watch: Netflix
Based on the true story of Israeli Mossad spy Eli Cohen and his 1960s infiltration of the Syrian Ministry of Defense, “The Spy” was another breakout hit for Netflix. Sacha Baron Cohen impresses and rightfully is nominated for Best Actor in a Limited Series—the show’s only one—although the six-episode series was critically acclaimed for its take on the spy genre and edge-of-your-seat viewing.
#17. Russian Doll (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 49,438
- Where to watch: Netflix
“Russian Doll” is created by and stars Natasha Lyonne (of “Orange Is the New Black” fame) as a New York City game developer forced to relive her death and the same party in a time loop. Recently renewed for an additional season, the smash hit garnered Lyonne a nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical Television Series.
#17. On Becoming a God in Central Florida (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- Votes: 1,869
- Where to watch: Showtime
Kirsten Dunst stars as Krystal Stubbs, a down-on-her-luck water park employee in Orlando who becomes caught up in a pyramid scheme in the 1990s. The dark comedy was praised for its genius satire, and Dunst was nominated for a 2020 Golden Globe for Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical.
#17. Living with Yourself (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- Votes: 16,198
- Where to watch: Netflix
Paul Rudd earned the lone nomination for “Living with Yourself” despite playing two versions of himself—one a depressed midlife-crisis victim named Miles, the other a cloned and much-improved version. His wife, Kate, played by Aisling Bea, is forced into her own ethical dilemma upon the revelation. Rudd is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical, for his role in the peculiar and heartfelt eight-episode series.
#17. Catherine the Great (tie)
- Nominations: 1
- IMDb user rating: 6.1
- Votes: 2,428
- Where to watch: HBO
HBO's historical drama, "Catherine the Great," takes place at the end of the 18th century, as the female monarch's later stages of life are explored. The four-part miniseries was met with high praise. Helen Mirren, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Limited Series, portrays the ruler of the Russian empire; she previously won an Academy Award for portraying Elizabeth in "The Queen."
#11. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 52,947
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The surprise Amazon hit from Amy Sherman-Palladino, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” produced two 2020 Golden Globe nominations for Comedy or Musical Series: Best Series and Best Actress. Rachel Brosnahan plays Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a 1950s New York City divorcee-turned-stand-up-comic, for the third successful season. The show has been praised for its social commentary and its main character’s empowerment and humor.
#11. Killing Eve (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 57,213
- Where to watch: BBC America
Nominated for Best Drama and Best Actress in a Drama (Jodie Comer), “Killing Eve” concerns an assassin and her investigator, Eve (Sandra Oh), as the cat-and-mouse spy thriller builds around their fascination for one another transcending good guy vs. bad guy. Both seasons have generated 90+% ratings on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and is typically complimented for its idiosyncratic storytelling.
#11. The Act (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 13,026
- Where to watch: Hulu
One of the show’s leads, Patricia Arquette, already took home an Emmy for her role as Dee Dee Blanchard in Hulu’s “The Act.” Her co-star, Joey King, plays murderous daughter Gypsy, and they are up for Lead and Supporting Actress Golden Globes. Based on a real-life abusive mother-daughter relationship revolving around fictitious cancer diagnoses, “The Act” was praised for its disturbing performances.
#11. The Loudest Voice (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 5,410
- Where to watch: Showtime
“The Loudest Voice,” which tells the true story of Fox News creator Roger Ailes, was nominated for two Golden Globes: Best Limited Series and Actor in a Limited Series. Russell Crowe plays Ailes and was lauded for his performance; although the show received mixed reviews from critics.
#11. Catch-22 (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 10,708
- Where to watch: Hulu
This World War II satirical miniseries based on the book is nominated for Best Limited Series and Best Actor in a Limited Series for Christopher Abbott's starring role as John Yossarian. His "Catch-22" is whether he is insane enough to fly into combat as a bombardier, or rational enough to recognize his insanity for a discharge (which won't be granted since he'd then be rational).
#11. The Politician (tie)
- Nominations: 2
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 9,357
- Where to watch: Netflix
This extremely unique take on high school student body politics gets two Golden Globe nominations for Best Comedy or Musical and Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical. Ben Platt (“Dear Evan Hansen”) plays the lead vying for the presidency, while his running mate is Zoey Deutch, who wrongly believes she has cancer. Add to that the popular athlete opponent, his girlfriend, and the gender non-conforming mate they choose, and you have “The Politician,” another great show in the long list of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk productions.
#4. Fleabag (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 47,289
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Another 2019 breakout from Amazon’s streaming service, the third season of “Fleabag” garnered nods for Best Series (Comedy/Musical), Actress (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and Supporting Actor (Andrew Scott). The series, which earned six Emmys for its second season, routinely breaks the fourth wall as its hilarious lead character finds her way in London.
#4. Big Little Lies (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 127,773
- Where to watch: HBO
It’s no surprise that a show with this type of ensemble cast would earn so many nominations yearly. The second season of “Big Little Lies” is up for Best Drama, Actress (Nicole Kidman), and Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep). Suburban life and murder investigations will never go out of style, although a third season does not yet appear to be in the works.
#4. Succession (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 16,821
- Where to watch: HBO
The wildly popular “Succession” is another triple-nomination earner: Best Drama, Actor (Brian Cox), and Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin). For those seeking entertaining family drama and unhealthy sibling competition, look no further—the children of a media conglomerate battle for power when the patriarch of the Roy Family becomes ill.
#4. Barry (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.3
- Votes: 31,665
- Where to watch: HBO
The dark comedy about a hitman (Bill Hader) who moves to L.A. and accidentally becomes an actor is nominated for Best Comedy/Musical Series, Actor (Hader), and Supporting Actor (Henry Winkler). "Barry," which just completed its second season, contains top-notch humor and writing, incredibly emotional scenes of love and loss, and all the trappings of an action thriller.
#4. The Morning Show (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 10,556
- Where to watch: Apple TV+
Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston, and Reese Witherspoon star as co-hosts on “The Morning Show,” which earned three Golden Globe nominations for Best Drama and Actress (both Aniston and Witherspoon). The dramatic look at sexual misconduct in the American workplace and power dynamics was not the big hit expected by streaming service Apple TV+; Rotten Tomatoes reports just over 60% aggregate approval. Still, the show has brought Apple TV+ to a new milestone: It’s the first streaming service in history to earn Golden Globe nominations in its first year.
#4. The Kominsky Method (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 17,168
- Where to watch: Netflix
“The Kominsky Method” is up for three Golden Globes: Series, Actor (Michael Douglas), and Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin). Douglas was successful for a short time, but since aging past his prime has become a renowned Hollywood acting coach. Two seasons deep, “Kominsky” is praised for its poignancy and Hall of Fame-caliber acting performances.
#4. Fosse/Verdon (tie)
- Nominations: 3
- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 3,113
- Where to watch: FX
Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams star as a choreographer named Bob Fosse and dancer called Gwen Verdon in this biographical miniseries on their famed, strained relationship. Along with nominations for Best Actor and Actress in a Limited Series, “Fosse/Verdon” is eligible for the title of Best Limited Series at the 2020 Golden Globes. The show has already accumulated 17 Emmy nominations.
#1. Chernobyl (tie)
- Nominations: 4
- IMDb user rating: 9.5
- Votes: 388,659
- Where to watch: HBO
“Chernobyl” ties the top shows for the 2020 awards with four Golden Globe nods: Limited Series, Actor (Jared Harris), Supporting Actress (Emily Watson), and Supporting Actor (Stellan Skarsgard). Based on the 1986 nuclear disaster, the hit five-episode miniseries portrays the lesser-known stories and people of the disaster and its cleanup and aftermath. Beautifully shot and well-written, the one negative was its (mostly British) lead actors speaking English in their natural accents despite taking place in the USSR.
#1. The Crown (tie)
- Nominations: 4
- IMDb user rating: 8.7
- Votes: 95,171
- Where to watch: Netflix
"The Crown" took home two Golden Globes in 2017, two Emmys in 2018, and is nominated for four more Golden Globes in 2020. The "crown" is worn by Queen Elizabeth II (played by Claire Foy then by Olivia Coleman in subsequent seasons) from the 1940s in the first season to the 1970s in the most recent, third season. John Lithgow stars as Winston Churchill, while Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham Carter play Princess Margaret in the popular Netflix sensation that scored 89–90% on Rotten Tomatoes for all three seasons.
#1. Unbelievable (tie)
- Nominations: 4
- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 36,966
- Where to watch: Netflix
Finally, “Unbelievable” is also tied for the most nominations: Limited Series, Actress in a Limited Series (Kaitlyn Dever and Merritt Wever), and Supporting Actress (Toni Collette). Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning 2015 article, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” the miniseries follows two detectives investigating teenager Marie after she is charged with lying about being the victim of rape. The series has been praised by critics and viewers alike as a fresh spin on the true-crime genre and the perspective of victims of abuse.
