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Dana Walden had an above-average Wednesday morning. The co-chair of Disney Entertainment, with a sprawling portfolio of platforms (Hulu, Disney+, FX) and studios (20th Television, Disney-Branded Television), saw her various outfits earn a total of 183 Emmy nominations earlier in the day.
Buoyed by FX output like Shogun and The Bear, perennial Hulu darling Only Murders in the Building and ABC broadcast unicorn Abbott Elementary, the parent company heads into the 2024 Primetime Emmys with its most nominations to date. Hopping on the phone to discuss that feat, Walden also opened up about the decision to renew one-time limited series Shogun, what Ryan Murphy brings to the company now that he’s left Netflix, giving Jimmy Kimmel a pass on hosting the Emmys and why the type of shows being nominated make her feel more optimistic about grim Hollywood headlines.
I want to make sure that I’m respectful of John’s ability to speak on behalf of his strategy — but I will tell you John and [showrunners] Justin [Marks] and Rachel [Kondo] had very thoughtful conversations about whether in fact there was enough story to tell a second season and something that would work for all of the stakeholders of Shogun. They’ve approached it so carefully and thoughtfully, as does FX on all things. John is strategic and thoughtful. He is both data-driven and an executive that operates based on just such incredible creative instincts. No decision is made cavalierly or in a knee-jerk manner. This was a choice that was made because all of those elements came together, and he and his team believed truly in an ongoing story in this franchise.
