The Netflix hit Stranger Things only has two nominations at the Golden Globes, but they’re big ones and both nominations are front runners in their categories.
No surprise that the 1980s inspired mystery drama Stranger Things has been nominated for Best TV Series (Drama), and it has stiff competition, going up against This is Us, The Crown, Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale, all crowd pleasers which also happen to be excellent dramas as well. Still, Stranger Things, with its incredible accurate depiction of the 1980s time capsule, inventiveness, and reintroduction of Wynona Ryder, has so much going for it that it might just surprise with a win over more likely candidates The Crown and Handmaid’s Tale (although it wouldn’t be so bad if Game of Thrones finally won this category! It, too had a fabulous season).
Set in a small town where the Upside Down — a parallel universe — has been opened up and brings with it the dark creature Demogorgon, Stranger Things is one of the most creative in television today. It hit a nerve with its perfect blend of artful mystery, brilliant casting, fantastic use of music and voice editing, along with inventive storytelling. It also boasts one of the best current ensemble casts in a drama. There are so many reasons it should end up a surprise win in the Drama category. The Emmys selected The Handmaid’s Tale, but the Golden Globes tend toward more popularity, giving Things perhaps more momentum than say a more highbrow (and also great) show, The Crown.
Everyone’s favorite Chief of Police, Jim Hopper, actor David Harbour, is also nominated for Best TV Supporting Actor on Stranger Things. Although he should win, most are predicting that Alexander Skarsgard will walk away with the statue for his role as an abusive husband on Big Little Lies. Skarsgard was compelling on the HBO series, but Harbour’s lovable, sometimes gruff, often hilarious but always upstanding character on Stranger Things stands apart from an already excellent ensemble cast as the best part of the show. It would be great to see Harbour recognized for his stellar work for two seasons.
Others nominated in the category include David Thewlis (Fargo), Alfred Molina (Feud: Better and Joan), and Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) — in an exhaustive role in a show that’s outlived its welcome, in my opinion.
There are two other reasons Harbour should win, having nothing to do with merit: he promises to reprise the “Hopper dance,” and Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) says he’ll shave his beautiful locks if Harbour wins —a ctually, that one kind of makes me sad, his hair is a work of art! Still, it’ll be worth it if he wins to see if either one happens.
David Harbour has been nominated for #GoldenGlobes' Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited-Series or TV Movie#StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/Ddu9XfPHlo
— Stranger Facts (@DexertoST) December 11, 2017
The 75th Annual Golden Globes, hosted by Seth Meyers, airs on Sunday, Jan. 7, at 8 p. m. on NBC.