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Expectations Soar for HBO’s New Film ‘Mountainhead’ as Emmy Season Approaches
In an impressive debut, HBO’s original film Mountainhead has rapidly ascended to the top tier of Emmy predictions, positioning it among the top five contenders for Best TV Movie. The film, centered on a group of affluent friends grappling with a financial crisis at an upscale ski resort, combines a compelling narrative with exceptional talent both in front of and behind the camera.
The project is helmed by Jesse Armstrong, best known for his acclaimed work on Succession, where he garnered seven Emmy awards across writing and producing categories. Notably, Mountainhead marks Armstrong’s first venture into directing.
The film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef portraying the lead characters. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with performances by Hadley Robinson, Andy Daly, Ali Kinkade, Daniel Oreskes, David Thompson, Amie MacKenzie, and Ava Kostia.
Despite its strong pedigree, Mountainhead finds itself in a challenging Emmy landscape, particularly in the acting categories which have historically favored limited series over traditional TV movies. Currently, Carell stands as the frontrunner for a nomination, currently ranked 17th among contenders for Best Actor in a Movie or Limited Series.
The trend of recognition for made-for-television movies has diminished in recent years. The last performer to win an Emmy in this category was Michael Douglas for his portrayal of Liberace in Behind the Candelabra (2013), while Julianne Moore won for her role as Sarah Palin in Game Change (2012). Of the recent nominees, only Daniel Radcliffe (for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story in 2023) and Hugh Jackman (for Bad Education in 2020) have stood out in the past five years. Furthermore, Tituss Burgess received a nod for his work in the interactive movie Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (2020).
In 2021, seven members of the cast from Hamilton also received nominations, showing that while competition remains fierce, recognition can still be achieved within the genre.
For the cast of Mountainhead to earn Emmy nominations, they will need to overcome the prevailing tendency of voters to overlook TV movies. Carell’s well-earned reputation—he’s a ten-time Emmy nominee for his roles in The Office and The Morning Show—may bolster the film’s chances for recognition.
Current Emmy Odds and Predictions
As it stands, Gold Derby lists the leading contenders for Best TV Movie as follows:
- Rebel Ridge — 9/4 odds
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — 31/10 odds
- Out of My Mind — 6/1 odds
- Am I OK? — 11/1 odds
- Mountainhead — 15/1 odds
- The Parenting — 20/1 odds
- The Gorge — 28/1 odds
- The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat — 37/1 odds
- G20 — 85/1 odds
- Star Trek: Section 31 — 97/1 odds
Scheduled to premiere on May 31 on HBO and Max, Mountainhead will be eligible for the 2025 Emmys, making its debut just in time for critical evaluation.
Fans of Armstrong and the cast are undoubtedly awaiting the film’s release with enthusiasm. The project is generating buzz within the industry, potentially setting the stage for a notable awards season ahead.
Source
www.goldderby.com