2018 Golden Globes: Streaming strikes again

2018

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actress (Drama): Claire Foy – Nominated

2017

• Best Television Series (Drama) - Won
• Best Supporting Actor (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): John Lithgow – Nominated
• Best Actress (Drama): Claire Foy – Won

Even though Americans have shed the rule of a monarchy long ago, the intrigue of the lives of royalty remains today. "The Crown" is Netflix’s look into the early years of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule in Great Britain. Behind the powerful performance of Claire Foy as the Queen, viewers get a down to earth look at one of the prominent royal figures of recent generations. John Lithgow also delivers a stirring rendition of the gruff Winston Churchill in the first season, and by the second season, well. We all just want to throw Matt Phillip's Prince Phillip from the balcony. The cinematography shows the audience some of the most beautiful landscapes and ornate sets on television today, so its no surprise the show took home two key wins in its first season. 

2018

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actress (Drama): Elisabeth Moss – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actress (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): Ann Dowd – Nominated

Sometimes shows hit at the perfect cultural moment upon their release, and in 2017, few shows feel as "on-the-nose" as Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale." Based on Margaret Atwood's novel, the show became the first streaming series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Series at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards. 

2018

• Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture): Mary J. Blige
• Best Original Song (Motion Picture): "Might River" (Music by: Raphael Saadiq, lyrics by: Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq, Taura Stinson)

Two World War II veterans – a white pilot and a black sergeant – return to Mississippi to confront not only their PTSD, but the racial inequality of their hometown that binds both of their families together. Based on Hillary Jordan's prize-winning 2008 book of the same title, this powerful film premiered at Sundance to critical praise, "a slow-burn intensity that builds to a shattering conclusion."

2018

• Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy – Nominated 
• Best Actress (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Rachel Brosnahan – Nominated 

At the heart of this quirky comedy is Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam "Midge" Maisel who goes from Upper West Side Jewish housewife to stand-up comedian running into Lenny Bruce while she also is arrested on a morals charge. Far from a shrinking flower though, "Midge" is fearless, making the show a delight as her character grows into a true stage presence. 

2018

• Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy – Nominated 
• Best Actor (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Aziz Ansari – Nominated

2016

• Best Actor (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Aziz Ansari – Nominated

This modern romantic comedy grabs you with its sincerity and charm from the first minute and never lets go. Aziz Ansari gives an almost too true to reality look at life as a single person more than a decade into the new millennium. From exploring the struggles of his immigrant parents to the awkwardness of dating, Ansari hits every note in this engaging show. The show got even stronger in it second season, winning Emmys for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Ansari and his co-star and co-writer Lena Waithe for the amazing "Thanksgiving" episode. 

2018 

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actor (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): David Harbour

2017

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actress (Television Series Drama): Winona Ryder – Nominated

Netflix watchers love themselves a little nostalgia, and they got it by the truckload with "Stranger Things." From its grainy introduction to its callbacks to famous '80s movies, fan and critics have been glued to Netflix for one of the most binge-able shows for the past few years. Winona Ryder’s performance as distressed mother Joyce Byers was superb, but it was the overall performance from the rest of the cast that drove this show to Golden Globe nominations in its first season. Not skipping a beat in its second season, the show is again up for Best Television Series and everyone's favorite sheriff is up for Best Supporting Actor. 

2018

• Best Motion Picture (Foreign Language) – Nominated 

Critics have hailed Angelina Jolie's "First They Killed My Father" as her best directed film yet, and has been selected by Cambodia as their official entry for awards season as Jolie has duel citizenship with the country. Based on the biography of Loung Ung, it tells the story of a child solider under the oppressive Khmer Rouge regime and the diaspora her family experiences trying to survive the labor camps. 

2018

• Best Actress (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Alison Brie – Nominated 

"Soft girl has to learn how to get tough" is a story as old as time, but there is something so charming about Alison Brie as Ruth "Zoya the Destroya" Wilder, fighting to not only belong in professional wrestling, but having the audacity to thrive. It may not exactly be a documentary of how the real "Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling" functioned, but it is a fun ride of 1980s nostalgia that earns all of its laughs. 

2018

• Best Actor (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Kevin Bacon – Nominated

Showrunner Jill Soloway (of "Transparent" success) really gets down and dirty into married relationships in Amazon's "I Love Dick," and the frustrations that go with forbidden desire and how it not only changes relationships, but their art as well. Based on the book of the same title, the show is true to the female viewpoint in a sometimes unflinching manner – this isn't your grandmother's soap opera; a woman's cravings take center stage before love. 

2018

• Best Actor (Television Series Drama): Jason Bateman – Nominated

Netflix's "Ozark" had the type of word-of-mouth appeal that is key for all streaming shows – you may not have caught it when it first premiered, but that doesn't mean you can't catch up with it now. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney are outstanding as the yuppie Chicago parents who move their family to the Ozarks to hide when their money laundrying scheme goes sideways, and it's good to see Bateman be recognized for his dramatic turn in this criminal caper.   

2017

• Best Motion Picture (Foreign Language) – Nominated

In terms of Netflix's opposition, Amazon made a big effort to break into the film categories this year and it looks like it is paying off. Let’s start with "The Salesman," an Iranian-French film about actors in love who move into an apartment that may have been previously inhabited by a prostitute. An attack takes the couple on a suspenseful adventure to find out what happened. Amazon picked up the film after it won multiple awards on the film festival circuit, including two in Cannes. It is one of the stronger contenders to win the Best Motion Picture (Foreign Language) category. 

2017

• Best Motion Picture (Foreign Language) – Nominated

Coming off a successful investment in "Beasts of No Nation" in 2016, Netflix tried to strike gold in film at the Golden Globes with the French foreign film, "Divines." The film follows Dounia, a Muslim teenager living on the outskirts of Paris. Her tough coming-of-age story won over critics with its strong female leads and glass-ceiling shattering themes. Netflix’s first appearance in a Best Motion Picture category faced strong opposition, but it showed that Netflix are trying to be than just a hit TV show factory.

2017

• Best Motion Picture (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actor (Drama): Casey Affleck – Won
• Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Williams – Nominated
• Best Director: Kenneth Lonergan – Nominated
• Best Screenplay – Nominated

Amazon made a big splash when it announced it had purchased distribution rights for "Manchester by the Sea" for a cool $10 million, the second largest disclosed purchase at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Now, it’s becoming clear why they dropped all that cash. This critically acclaimed film stars Casey Affleck as an uncle trying to raise his nephew after the death of the boy’s father. This character-driven film earned Casey Affleck both a Golden Globe and an Oscar. 

2016

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actor (Television Series Drama): Wagner Moura – Nominated

Drugs, sex and murder. Welcome to the life of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. "Narcos" follows the enigmatic Escobar played by Wagner Moura has he navigates his way as the leader of the Medellin Cartel in Colombia. While Moura was nominated for his performance and the series was under consideration for best drama television series for its first season, "Narcos" was curiously left off the list in after a strong sophomore showing. 

2017

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated
• Best Actor in Television Series (Musical or Comedy): Gael Garcia Bernal – Nominated

2016

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Won
• Best Actor in Television Series (Musical or Comedy): Gael Garcia Bernal – Won

"Mozart in the Jungle" burst onto the scene in 2016 with Gael Garcia Bernal delivering a composed performance as eccentric conductor Rodrigo De Souza. It doesn’t look like the show is going away any time soon. After winning both awards it was nominated for at the 2016 Golden Globes, the musically-inclined series made repeat appearances in both categories in 2017, but lost out to "Atlanta."

2017

• Best Actor (Drama Series): Billy Bob Thornton – Nominated

If ever there were a dramatic role that fit Bill Bob Thornton perfectly, it would be Billy McBride in "Goliath." Thornton brings to life a brilliant trial lawyer that has fallen on hard times, but is trying to fight one of the largest corporate law firms (that he helped build) to restore his name. In his way are small budgets, violent intimidation and a former colleague content to see his demise. He might not get the award this year because of a stacked actor field, but his vulnerable performance is definitely worth recognition.

2016

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actress (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): Uzo Aduba – Nominated

2015

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated
• Best Actress (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Taylor Schilling – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actress (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): Uzo Aduba – Nominated

2014

• Best Actress (Television Series Drama): Taylor Schilling – Nominated

Another Netflix Original that was in on the ground floor, so to speak. "Orange is the New Black" was the third original series released by the streaming service and has been consistently one of its best. The dark comedy follows the journeys of women in prison while addressing racial and political issues. Its deep, character driven stories have resulted in six Golden Globe nominations. Taylor Schilling’s role as Piper Chapman and Uzo Aduba’s performance as the misunderstood Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren have earned the actress two nominations while the series has a whole has been nominated twice for best comedy or musical television series. However, they were always the bridesmaid but never the bride, unable to secure a win. They won’t have a chance to change that this year either after being left out of the ceremony all together. 

2016

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated

After seeing Amazon and Netflix dominate the streaming scene, Hulu starting investing in original content. Their initial effort was successful after securing their first nomination at the Golden Globes with the too-real dating comedy "Casual." While the show was unable to garner any nominations the falling year, "Casual" showed other streaming services that aren’t Netflix and Amazon can field critically acclaimed shows and be recognized for them.

2014

• Best Actor (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Jason Bateman – Nominated

Yes, technically "Arrested Development" was on broadcast television (and nominated) long before it was on a streaming service. However, its revival in 2013 brought the cult comedy series to Netflix for a fourth season, where Jason Bateman’s reprisal as the semi-responsible Michael Bluth got him a best actor Golden Globe nomination in 2014. A fifth season is currently in the works, so hopefully that means more Bluth chicken dances in 2018. 

2016

• Best Actress (Television Series Musical or Comedy): Lily Tomlin – Nominated

This hilariously awkward comedy is one of the funniest shows you are not watching. Two women are thrown into an unlikely friendship after their husbands announce they are in love with one another and plan to get married. Jane Fonda plays a former cosmetics businesswoman while Lily Tomlin was nominated for a best actress Golden Globe for her performance as free-spirited Frankie Bergstein. Their unique situation makes this one of the more original stories you’ll find in television today.

2016

• Best Actress (Television Drama Series): Robin Wright – Nominated

2015

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actor (Television Drama Series) – Kevin Spacey – Won
• Best Actress (Television Drama Series) – Robin Wright – Nominated

2014

• Best Television Series (Drama) – Nominated
• Best Actor (Television Drama Series): Kevin Spacey – Nominated
• Best Actress (Television Drama Series): Robin Wright – Won
• Best Supporting Actor (Series, Miniseries, Television Film): Corey Stoll – Nominated

Netflix Originals' critical success can be traced back to one political thriller: "House of Cards." The first of Netflix’s original programming is still arguably their most successful. The political maneuverings of Frank and Claire Underwood has garnered eight Golden Globe nominations and two wins – best actress in 2014 and best actor in 2015. Critical fatigue might be setting in as they were left off the nominations list for 2017 after a mixed fourth season. 

2016

Best Supporting Actor in Any Motion Picture: Idris Elba – Nominated

Netflix broke into the film awards for the first time at the Golden Globes in 2016 with "Beasts of No Nation." Idris Elba’s performance as the brutal Commandant sent shivers up viewers' backs and drew rave reviews from critics, but was unable to secure the streaming service's first Golden Globe win.

2016

• Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture made for Television: Ben Mendelsohn – Nominated

A respected family, its dark secrets and a black sheep threatening to expose it all. "Bloodline" surprised a lot of critics with its beautifully shot scenes and big-time performances led by Ben Mendelsohn’s turn as Danny Rayburn, the oldest, cast out son of the Rayburn family. Unfortunately, this performance and its award potential is coming to a screeching halt soon because high production costs have caused the show to be cancelled after the third season. 

2017

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated
• Best Actor in Television Series (Musical or Comedy): Jeffrey Tambor – Nominated

2016

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Nominated
• Best Actor in Television Series (Musical or Comedy): Jeffrey Tambor – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film: Judith Light – Nominated

2015

• Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) – Won
• Best Actor in Television Series (Musical or Comedy): Jeffrey Tambor – Won

Amazon’s first Golden Globe nominee is now a grizzled veteran on the awards circuit – relatively speaking. After being the first streaming-only show to win Best Television Series at the Golden Globes in 2015, "Transparent" made its third straight appearance at the ceremony as a best comedy series nominee in 2017, but was shutout for the 2018 awards. 

The show has announced its upcoming fifth season, but actor Jeffrey Tambor has exited the series after allegations of sexual harassment arose on the set.