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

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

Past Awards in This Category: 2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...

MONICA BELETSKY & JAN OXENBERG, Manhunt "Useless" (Apple TV+)











LEE EISENBERG, Lessons in Chemistry "Introduction to Chemistry" (Apple TV+)













RICHARD GADD, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)











NOAH HAWLEY & THOMAS BEZUCHA, Fargo "Blanket" (FX)











ISSA LOPEZ, True Detective: Night Country "Part 2" (HBO)













STEVEN ZAILLIAN, Ripley (Netflix)













And the Winner Is...
RICHARD GADD
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Baby Reindeer became a phenomenon very late in the TV season and it was one of those true "out of nowhere" Netflix hits. I really enjoyed the show but maybe not as much as some. However, there was one area where it was a clear standout and that was the writing. Richard Gadd's (semi?) autobiographical story was paced so well and scripted so well. His voiceovers, the dialogue between the characters and the structure of the episodes. It was a somewhat thin story that was given so much depth between the emotional trauma and the thriller elements of the plot. Gadd was a compelling lead but his writing is what really shined.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:
After the first couple Limited/Anthology awards, I don't need to tell you I'm a big fan of Ripley and I was really tempted to give Steven Zaillian this award because Ripley was so effective with much less dialogue than some shows. The fifth season of Fargo was so satisfying in general but the "Blanket" episode was a high point for dramatic tension. Lessons in Chemistry really got it together by the end of the series with a very satisfying finale. I thought the writing for True Detective: Night Country varied a lot during the season but the second episode showed how strong it could be. Finally, the capture of John Wilkes Booth in Manhunt was a well-paced episode with good dramatic beats.

Tomorrow: Outstanding Writing of a Drama Series!

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