‘Hijack’ could capture a Best Drama Series nomination at the Emmys
Apple TV has a red-hot Emmy contender on its hands with the new drama series (yes, drama, not limited) “Hijack,” which follows Idris Elba as a business negotiator who must try to broker peace during a hijacking of a plane flying from Dubai to London.
The show is from “Lupin” creator George Kay and “Episodes” director Jim Field Smith so it’s easy to see why “Hijack” is so affecting. The seven-episode series plays out in real-time: each hour-long episode takes up one hour of the seven-hour flight. It’s a smart, “24”-esque move that makes “Hijack” instantly gripping, incessantly tense, and the perfect series to binge, as noted by many critics.
Kelly Lawler (USA Today) stated: “It’s an ‘event series’ (usually a soulless marketing label) that actually feels like an event. It’s got a movie star, flashy plot twists, pulse-quickening action and a figurative ticking clock. It’s a nice little reminder that TV can be thrilling.”
Alan Sepinwall (Rolling Stone) opined: “There’s enough story to cover the length of the flight, and Elba and the creative team keep things taut when we’re in the air.”
Brian Lowry (CNN) explained: “Crisp and tense, the seven-episode Apple TV+ series overcomes its slightly claustrophobic premise in a show unlikely to ever be offered as in-flight entertainment.”
Boyd Hilton (Empire) observed: “An instantly enthralling aeroplane-set thriller which deploys its real-time format to ratchet up the tension to the max, while providing Idris Elba with one of his most satisfying roles so far.”
Emily Zemler (Observer) summarized: “‘Hijack’ is tension-filled and gripping, often putting the viewer on the edge of their seat.”
As a result, “Hijack” is in with a good shout for a Best Drama Series bid at this year’s Emmys. Our current predicted nominees are “The Crown,” “The Morning Show,” “The Gilded Age,” “Slow Horses,” “The Curse,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “3 Body Problem,” and “Loki.” However, “Hijack” is right on the precipice of breaking into this lineup alongside fellow competitors “Fallout,” “Sugar,” “Ahsoka,” and “The New Look.”
“Hijack” could just be Emmy voters’ cup of tea for a number of reasons. Firstly, action dramas tend to do well in this category, with the likes of “The Last of Us,” “Killing Eve,” “Bodyguard,””Homeland,” “Heroes,” and “24” all receiving nominations.
The show is also led by what many are calling career-best work from Elba. Plenty of Best Drama Series nominees have been dragged to a cumulative nomination by their leading performance. Recent such examples include “Lovecraft Country” with Jonathan Majors, “Pose” starring Billy Porter, “Bodyguard” featuring Richard Madden, “Mr. Robot” with Rami Malek, and the Michael C. Hall vehicle “Dexter.”
“Hijack” feels most similar to “Bodyguard” here. Both are action-led shows that tell a tight, thrilling story that feels more like a limited series than a returning drama with a suave, magnetic, charismatic British actor (doing what could be considered their takes on Bond) in the lead role. Emmy voters loved “Bodyguard,” nominating it for Best Drama Series. “Hijack” could follow this same pattern.
Apple TV+ is also a savvy Emmys player. “Ted Lasso” won Best Comedy Series twice, “Severance” was nominated for Best Drama Series and “Shrinking,” “Bad Sisters,” “Black Bird,” and “The Morning Show” all contended in key categories, including acting, directing, and writing. This year, another of its shows, “Lessons in Chemistry,” is all but certain to reap a Best Limited Series bid.
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