HBO had five of the most nominated programs this year, with Succession (25) leading the pack that also included The White Lotus (20), Hacks (17), Euphoria (16) and Barry (14 ). Warner Bros. Discovery, for the first time, led all conglomerates with 155 combined nominations.
The executive, who oversees originals for the premium cable network and its streaming counterpart, saw a total of 24 HBO/HBO Max programs garner a total of 140 nominations while Netflix saw 35 programs earn a total of 105 nominations.
Bloys is used to having to compete with Netflix’s big spenders on a myriad of content as the streaming giant tries to be the best for viewers. Instead, HBO and HBO Max’s programming teams curate slates that offset each other. (While HBO has a lot of male content, HBO Max programs for more female viewers, etc.)
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bloys talks about the future of Succession and Westworld, as well as which shows could be the talk of the 2023 Emmys, including the highly anticipated take on The Last of Us.
HBO topped Netflix this year without the benefit of HBO Max. To what do you attribute this success?
It’s the same as every year: talented programming teams at HBO and HBO Max working with talented creators, all doing their best to make the best work in the world. There’s no secret to it other than keeping your head down and trying to do your best at all levels.
The Television Academy has decided not to break out nominations per exit this year. How do you see this narrative evolving over time?
I think it’s a lot of hand wringing about nothing. We have the same programming management on both HBO and HBO Max. When HBO was linear only, we were still competitive. Now it’s a more level playing field where we have a streaming service as well. It makes perfect sense to combine them. Ultimately, what matters is the performances that are recognized.
HBO and HBO Max had fewer shows overall received more nominations than Netflix (which had 35 shows nominated)…
It’s always like this. We don’t have the volume they do, so every show has to work harder.
You guys had some snubs on The Staircase, Julia, Winning Time, Gilded Age as well as And Just Like That. How do you feel about these major snubs?
On a day where we had 140 nominations… obviously, you want all your shows to be nominated, but I don’t think today is the day to worry or obsess over snubs. We’ll come back to some of these and do our best, but today is about celebrating the nominations as opposed to feeling cheated in any way. This is the game. not everyone can win.
Was there anything you were particularly surprised or pleased to see among the nominations?
Because Station Eleven aired in December and we had so many shows that aired from January to June, it was nice that people remembered it. So does The White Lotus. Staying in people’s minds is a difficult thing.
Is there a way to make the Emmy categories more reflective of the nature of the industry? Do you think Julia was hurt by the fact that it was just a comedy, while White Lotus wasn’t hurt by the fact that it was a limited series?
The thing about Julia is that she’s coming back next year. Part of it is that you have to maintain it. Julia deserved a few noms and this cast and crew will make a great second season. The Emmy theme is consistent, and the entire cast deserved recognition, as well as writing and directing.
What has changed for you now that Discovery’s David Zaslav has taken over?
David has been nothing but supportive of what we do creatively. He appreciates me and the team and makes it clear that he appreciates what we do. It was nothing but support. That’s what happened when AT&T took over, a lot of the usual decisions were reframed as, “Well, AT&T has to make them do this.” Whether it was Demimonde or canceling or renewing a show, we run a scheduling service that has daily needs and decisions to make. There is no scenario where David is looking over my shoulder wondering if we should renew or cancel something. Day-to-day decisions are recast as a reflection of what the new regime is doing and that is not the case here.
When can viewers expect new seasons of Euphoria, White Lotus and Succession?
We don’t have any dates announced yet, but I imagine White Lotus, Succession, Barry, and Hacks would all be within next year’s Emmy eligibility window.
What’s the future of Succession beyond season four?
For such a decision we entrust to the presenters. It’s up to Jesse Armstrong to decide. They’ve started filming season four and the broken stories and he wants to go through that process to see if he actually has more stories or themes to explore. It’s up to him. If he wants to do more, great. If that’s all he has, great.
In a world where hit shows are quickly getting spinoffs as franchises continue to be incredibly important to streaming platforms, you’ve had conversations with Jesse about a Succession spinoff — especially considering how big that world has become, as evidenced by volume of acting nominations the show received this year?
A world like Game of Thrones where George RR Martin has a whole universe and a thousand-year timeline and lots of families and wars and history, that’s not what Jesse has created. There is no scenario where a Succession multiverse is in the cards.
Give the people what they want: a teaser for the fourth season of Succession.
More family dysfunction! (Laughs.)
HBO is developing Jon Snow’s Game of Thrones sequel. What changed that makes you want to rewatch the flagship series finale?
I have nothing to report on Jon Snow’s development.
What is the future of Westworld beyond season four? Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan’s deal includes two more seasons. Is this still the case?
As with any show, we’ll see how it goes. We haven’t talked to them about ideas for a fifth season, but we’re only three episodes into season four and we’ll see how it goes. No decisions have been made.
When should we expect The Last of Us to arrive?
It’s closer to early 2023.
Looking ahead to next year, what’s in the pipeline that you’re excited to talk about this time of year?
By that time, we’ll have gone through the second season of Sex Lives of College Girls, White Lotus 2, The Idol, Last of Us, Succession, Julia, Hacks, Barry, and Righteous Gemstones. It’s again a pretty full line-up. We could be talking about any number of these shows!
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
