Rian Johnson, Lee Sung Jin and More Directors Competing for First Emmys

The Emmy race has never been more crowded for those working behind the camera on TVs most acclaimed series.

While these directors below have never won Emmys, their work on this years juggernaut dramas, side-splitting comedies and affecting limited series could change that come September.

Lee Sung Jin

As creator and showrunner of Netflixs limited series Beef, Jin guides the series from its inciting road rage incident all the way to its cliff-diving conclusion. In addition to penning several episodes, the veteran comedy writer finally steps behind the camera to make his directorial debut on the finale.

Peter Hoar

Fresh off directing Maxs Its a Sin, Hoar helmed Long, Long Time, the third episode of HBOs freshman hit The Last of Us possibly the most-loved episode of television this year. The feature-length outing tells the sweeping tale of Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), who find love in the aftermath of the mushroom apocalypse. In the thick of it, Hoars delicate but assertive direction drew resounding praise that could earn him a nomination.

Rian Johnson

Peacocks Poker Face isnt Johnsons first foray into television. The Oscar nominee helmed one of TVs most-lauded episodes with Breaking Bads penultimate outing Ozymandias. But he wasnt nominated for an Emmy, making his work on Poker Faces pilot episode the perfect chance for voters to recognize him.

Clare Kilner

As only the second woman to direct an episode within the hallowed halls of the Games of Thrones franchise, Kilner makes a commanding debut behind the camera for three of the most consequential episodes in House of the Dragons freshman run the battle in Second of His Name (Episode 4), the signature chaotic wedding in We Light the Way (Episode 5) and the political coup in The Green Council (Episode 9).

James Ponsoldt

Best-known for films like The Spectacular Now and The End of the Tour, Pondsoldt brought his brand of dramedy to Apple TV+s new therapy series Shrinking for the pilot, fourth and fifth episodes. It also never hurts to pop up elsewhere on the ballot, which could happen for Pondsoldt. He directed the first half of Amazons rock-and-roll limited series Daisy Jones the Six.

Nzingha Stewart

Speaking of Daisy Jones the Six, it was no easy task ending the decades-spanning story on a satisfying note. But Stewart rose to the occasion with Track 8: Looks Like We Made It. Her background of directing music videos for the likes of Jay-Z and Missy Elliott and recent episodic work on Netflixs Maid and Inventing Anna made her an excellent choice for bringing this music saga and possibly Emmy gold home.

Christopher Storer

The tone and the tension at the root of FXs category-defying series The Bear begins with Storers direction in the pilot episode. As showrunner and creator, Storer helmed more than half the first season and understood the kind of environment he needed to build inside the kitchen. And then he executed it with the precision of a master chef.

Jon Watts

Watts took a break from delivering some of Marvels most successful theatrical hits the last three Spider-Man films to direct the pilot of FXs Jeff Bridges-led drama The Old Man. While it has been nearly a year since the series premiered, Watts taut direction, coupled with his name recognition in the industry, firmly places him as an Emmy contender.