Bryan Cranston, Julianne Nicholson Shine at Creative Arts Emmys Kickoff

Bryan Cranston and Julianne Nicholson captured early Emmy gold at the Creative Arts ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, earning guest acting honors at the Peacock Theater ahead of Tuesday’s main telecast.

The Creative Arts Emmys spotlight the behind-the-scenes and guest performance categories, offering a first look at this year’s standout contributors and setting the tone for Sunday’s Primetime ceremony.

At night one of the two-day event, Cranston was awarded Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his turn as Griffin Mill on Apple TV+’s The Studio, while Nicholson won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her Dance Mom cameo on HBO’s Hacks. The theater’s stage also saw winners across animated program, casting, makeup, and stunt coordination categories, underscoring the depth of talent that fuels television production.

Outstanding Animated Program went to Disney+’s Monster High, and Netflix’s Bridgerton claimed Outstanding Period Fantasy Hairstyling. HBO’s The Penguin secured Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup, and FX’s Severance led nominations, though its final tally awaited Monday’s second Creative Arts ceremony.

Producers hailed the Creative Arts Emmys as the “authentic Emmys,” honoring the craftspeople and guest artists whose work underpins television’s biggest stories. With these early wins announced, all eyes now turn to Sunday’s Primetime gala, where series leads and household names will vie for television’s top honors.