The Best Narrator category at the Emmys is heating up with fierce competition, featuring renowned figures like David Attenborough and Barack Obama.
Emmys Showdown: David Attenborough vs. Barack Obama in Best Narrator Rematch
The Best Narrator category may not be the most publicized during this awards season, but it is certainly heating up with fierce competition.
Leading Contenders
At the forefront of Gold Derby’s predictions is David Attenborough, the all-time record-holder with nine nominations and three wins, making his anticipated return for BBC’s Planet Earth: Asia. Close on his heels is Barack Obama, the former President with two previous wins and an undefeated streak in this category, returning this year with Netflix’s Our Oceans.
Other Notable Nominees
Three additional strong contenders with impressive accolades complete this all-star lineup. Two-time Oscar winner and seven-time Emmy champion Tom Hanks has received his first nomination in this category for narrating NBC’s The Americas. In fourth place is Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Idris Elba, who earned his seventh Emmy nomination for National Geographic’s Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color. Finally, three-time Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge enters the fray with Prime Video’s Octopus!.
David Attenborough’s Legacy
It’s no surprise that Attenborough is favored to win; he is widely regarded as the greatest of all time in this genre, boasting an impressive track record. His first of 12 Emmy nominations dates back to 1985, earning a writing nod for The Living Planet. Since 2016, he has garnered nine nominations for narrating, winning three times along the way.
Barack Obama’s Undefeated Streak
However, Attenborough isn’t undefeated—Obama is. The two last faced off in 2022, when Obama secured his first of two consecutive Emmys in this category, winning for Our Great National Parks and following it up with Working: What We Do All Day. His reputation as one of the most compelling orators of the modern era, combined with the liberal-leaning TV Academy’s tendency to award him trophies that Donald Trump couldn’t win, positions Obama as a formidable front-runner.
Tom Hanks: A Hollywood Icon
While the rematch between Attenborough and Obama is captivating, let’s not overlook Tom Hanks in The Americas. This marks the actor/producer’s 18th Emmy nomination—the most of anyone in this category. Although new to narrating, Hanks is no stranger to delivering unforgettable performances with just his voice.
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Idris Elba’s Unique Position
Idris Elba stands out as the only nominee not narrating a nature documentary. His nomination recalls the 2021 race, when Sterling K. Brown shocked everyone by winning over Attenborough and Hollywood heavyweights Anthony Hopkins and Sigourney Weaver.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge: The Dark Horse
Lastly, we have Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who appears as the true dark horse in this race. A three-time Emmy winner for her work on Fleabag, she now showcases her narration skills with the deep-sea adventure Octopus!. As the only woman nominated this year, Waller-Bridge could benefit from this distinction.
Nominees and Episodes
Here’s a quick overview of this year’s nominees, along with the episodes they’ve submitted for consideration at the 77th Emmys:
- David Attenborough (Planet Earth: Asia)
Episode: “The Frozen North”
Logline: In northern Asia, life defies hostile extremes. See animals from the Tibetan Plateau, Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, and Russia. - Barack Obama (Our Oceans)
Episode: “Indian Ocean”
Logline: From the minute mantis shrimp to the mighty sperm whale, inhabitants of the tropical Indian Ocean use their ingenuity to find food and raise their young. - Tom Hanks (The Americas)
Episode: “Andes”
Logline: The Andes, Earth’s longest mountain range, where rare hummingbirds compete for mates and more. - Idris Elba (Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color)
Episode: “D-Day”
Logline: Unearths the heroics of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-Black combat unit on D-Day beaches. - Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Octopus!)
Episode: “Part 1”
Logline: Follow Doris the Giant Pacific Octopus’s journey while exploring how different people view these creatures.
The winner of Best Narrator will be revealed at the Creative Arts Emmys, taking place on September 6 and 7.
