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BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: Outstanding Directing of a Limited/Anthology Series

Today's award is Outstanding Directing of a Limited/Anthology Series!

Past Awards in This Category: 2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...

THOMAS BEZUCHA, Fargo "The Useless Hand" (FX)











NOAH HAWLEY, Fargo "The Tragedy of the Commons" (FX)











ISSA LOPEZ, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)













TARA MIELE, Lessons in Chemistry "Introduction to Chemistry" (Apple TV+)













WERONIKA TOFILSKA, Baby Reindeer "Episode 4" (Netflix)











STEVEN ZAILLIAN, Ripley (Netflix)











And the Winner Is...
STEVEN ZAILLIAN
Ripley (Netflix)
As already mentioned in the Technical Design award, Ripley is a cinematic masterpiece. But the fact that every single frame is so considered, so essential, so thoughtful and so well placed comes down a lot to the director. Steven Zaillian was also the writer so this was clearly his baby and he made an exquisite TV show. He deserves a lot of credit for how strong every angle of the show is. I've talked a lot about the technical elements but he also dials in all the performances so they are all comfortable with the silences, with the slow pace of the show and more. No one is trying to overdo it in this show which needs everyone rowing in the same direction for it to work. Zaillian really nailed this show.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:
Zaillian was an easy choice here but there were other great directorial achievements. The first episode of Fargo's season (directed by Noah Hawley) featured a return to form for the show and a spectacular action sequence along with the regular Fargo visual flourishes. The penultimate episode used the ranch setting to great effect for a very tense hour. Weronika Tofilska directed the longest and most harrowing episode of Baby Reindeer that left a chilling feeling. Tara Miele did a great job pulling together a lot of loose strings in the finale of Lessons in Chemistry. Finally, Issa Lopez had a lot of really interesting directorial choices throughout the season of True Detective: Night Country. 

Tomorrow: Outstanding Directing of a Drama Series!

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