Atlanta season 1 explained

Season Number:1
Bgcolour:
  1. 413318
Num Episodes:10
Network:FX

The first season of the American television series Atlanta premiered on September 6, 2016. The season is produced by RBA, 343 Incorporated, MGMT. Entertainment, and FXP, with Donald Glover, Paul Simms, and Dianne McGunigle, serving as executive producers. Donald Glover serves as creator and wrote four episodes for the season.

The series was given a 10-season order in October 2015 and stars Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz. The series follows Earn during his daily life in Atlanta, Georgia, as he tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his ex-girlfriend Van, who is also the mother of his daughter Lottie; as well as his parents and his cousin Alfred, who raps under the stage name "Paper Boi"; and Darius, Alfred's eccentric right-hand man.

The season premiered on September 6, 2016, with a two-episode premiere on FX. The series premiere received 1.08 million viewers with a 0.5 ratings share in the 18–49 demographics. The season ended on November 1, 2016, with an average of 0.88 million viewers.[1] The season received critical acclaim, with critics praising its cast, writing, originality, and social commentary. At the 74th Golden Globe Awards, the season won Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy while Glover won Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy. At the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, the season was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, with Glover winning two awards for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Directing for a Comedy Series. The latter made Glover the first African-American to win the award.[2] In September 2016, FX renewed the series for a second season.[3]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Production

Development

The series was announced in August 2013, with Donald Glover set as lead actor, creator, writer and executive producer. The series was offered to many networks but Glover chose FX for its willingness to accommodate his music touring schedule with the development of the series.[4] In December 2014, FX made a pilot order and Paul Simms and Dianne McGunigle joined as executive producers.[5] In October 2015, FX made a 10-episode series order, with plans to release it in 2016.[6] Nick Grad, President of Original Programming for FX Entertainment, commented "Donald Glover is a uniquely talented actor and performer who brings real-life experience to this subject matter. He, along with Paul Simms, has a very honest, sometimes serious, and funny perspective on life, the world of rap music and the city of Atlanta."[7]

Writing

The series is also notable for having an all-black writing staff, which is virtually unheard of in American television. The writer's room consists of Glover himself, his brother Stephen Glover, and members of his rap collective 'Royalty' including Fam Udeorji (Glover's manager), Ibra Ake (Glover's longtime photographer), and Jamal Olori. Stefani Robinson, a writer for Man Seeking Woman, and Taofik Kolade round out the writer's room.[8] [9]

Glover jokingly referred to the series as "Twin Peaks with rappers".[10] Glover, who grew up in Atlanta and also works as a musician, stated that "the city influenced the tone of the show".[11] He also chose the city as "there's an active dialogue of how things should be. The dynamics of the economy play out really well. It informs for a cool environment."[12] He commented on the development of the series, "There's so many screens that have to be filled now, between your television, your computer and your phone, that I think it's the perfect time to make something that I see, a perfect opportunity to combine everything that media is right now." The series makes constant use of the N-word, which Glover defended as "that's how people talk. It's just the way it is. Trying to pretend that people don't talk like that, like I don't, it's kind of silly. I feel like if we ignore that, people would immediately turn on the television and not know what world they're on."

Regarding the series' surrealism, Glover explained "There really isn't a limit to how abstract you can get, as long as you believe it. There has to be a grounded nature to something — if you have something that is grounded on some level, you can go anywhere. You just have to have it so that they’re abiding by their own rules every step of the way."[13]

Casting

When the pilot was ordered, Glover was reported to play Earnest "Earn" Marks, "a college drop-out who taps into his own musical aspirations when his estranged family member finds sudden fame."[14]

In July 2015, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield and Zazie Beetz joined the series as the remaining cast members. Henry would play Alfred Miles, "Atlanta's hot of the moment rapper who plans to capitalize on the sudden fame as quickly as possible". Stanfield would play Darius, "Alfred's oddly talented right-hand man and musical collaborator". And Beetz would play Van, "a pragmatist caught up in a complicated relationship with Earn (Glover) due to their daughter".[15]

Filming

Filming on the pilot began in July 2015 in Atlanta, with Hiro Murai directing the episode.[16] Murai previously collaborated with Glover on music videos, commenting "It's obviously a different format. Even in the narrative format I've done, we've never had extensive scripted dialogue scenes and whatnot. But it felt like a natural extension of what Donald and I have done in the past. So in that sense it was a really nice, seamless transition."[17]

In August 2016, it was reported that Glover would make his directorial debut, directing the sixth and seventh episode.[18]

Release

Broadcast

In July 2016, FX announced that the season would premiere on September 6, 2016.[19]

Marketing

The first teaser debuted in June 2016, which was heavily inspired by the music video for "Drop" by The Pharcyde.[20] A new second debuted the next month, with music from "Sleepless" by Flume.[21] A full-length trailer was released in August 2016.[22]

Home media release

The season was released on DVD in Region 1 on March 6, 2018.[23]

Reception

Ratings

Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.

Critical reception

The first season received widespread acclaim from television critics. The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the first season an approval rating of 98% based on 141 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Ambitious and refreshing, Atlanta offers a unique vehicle for star and series creator Donald Glover's eccentric brand of humor — as well as a number of timely, trenchant observations."[24] On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 90 out of 100, based on reviews from 37 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[25]

David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle gave it a highly positive review, writing: "The scripts for the four episodes made available to critics are as richly nuanced as anything you'll see on TV or, to be sure, in a movie theater. You will not only know these characters after only one episode, you'll be hooked on them, as well. In so many areas, Atlanta sets the bar exceptionally high."[26] Sonia Saraiya of Variety also praised the series, declaring it a "finished, cinematic, and beautiful production that may be one of the best new shows of the fall."[27] Alan Sepinwall praised Glover's creativity, writing, "he wanted a chance to fail, and while not all of Atlanta works yet, it absolutely has that immersive quality Glover was hoping for."[28]

Critics' top ten lists

The season topped many "Best of 2016" lists and was the second most mentioned series of the year.[29]

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryNomineesResult
American Film Institute AwardsTop 10 Television ProgramsAtlanta[30]
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Comedy Series[31]
Best Actor in a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover
Directors Guild of America AwardsOutstanding Directorial Achievement for a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover (for "B.A.N.")[32]
Golden Globe AwardsBest Television Series – Musical or ComedyAtlanta[33]
Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or ComedyDonald Glover
Gotham Independent Film AwardsBreakthrough Series – Long FormAtlanta[34]
MTV Movie & TV AwardsShow of the YearAtlanta[35]
Best Actor in a ShowDonald Glover
Best DuoBrian Tyree Henry and Keith Stanfield
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Comedy SeriesAtlanta[36]
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Peabody AwardsArea of ExcellenceAtlanta[37]
People's Choice AwardsFavorite Cable TV Comedy[38]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Comedy SeriesAtlanta[39]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover (for "B.A.N.")
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy SeriesDonald Glover (for "B.A.N.")
Stephen Glover (for "Streets on Lock")
Outstanding Casting for a Comedy SeriesAlexa L. Fogel, Tara Feldstein Bennett, Chase Paris
Producers Guild of America AwardsEpisodic Television, ComedyDonald Glover, Dianne McGunigle, Paul Simms, Hiro Murai, Alex Orr[40]
Writers Guild of America AwardsComedy SeriesDonald Glover, Stephen Glover, Stefani Robinson, Paul Simms[41]
New Series
Episodic ComedyStephen Glover (for "Streets on Lock")
TCA AwardsProgram of the YearAtlanta[42]
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
Outstanding New Program
Individual Achievement in ComedyDonald Glover

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Atlanta: Season One Ratings. November 2, 2016. January 7, 2022. TV Series Finale.
  2. Web site: Donald Glover Is First Black Director To Win An Emmy In Comedy. HuffPost. September 18, 2017 . January 7, 2022.
  3. Web site: 'Atlanta' & 'Better Things' Renewed For Second Season By FX. Petski. Denise. September 20, 2016. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  4. Web site: Donald Glover To Create And Star In Music-Themed FX Comedy Series Project. Andreeva. Nellie. August 6, 2013. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  5. Web site: Donald Glover Comedy Pilot 'Atlanta' Ordered By FX. Andreeva. Nellie. December 12, 2014. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  6. Web site: Donald Glover FX Comedy 'Atlanta' Picked Up To Series. Andreeva. Nellie. October 15, 2015. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  7. Web site: FX Orders Donald Glover Pilot 'Atlanta'. O'Connell. Mikey. December 12, 2014. January 7, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. Web site: Donald Glover Turns His Eye to His Hometown in Atlanta. Rembert. Browne. Vulture. April 6, 2018. August 23, 2016. May 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190508023239/https://www.vulture.com/2016/08/donald-glover-atlanta.html. live.
  9. Web site: The writers of FX's Atlanta: 'We're not interested in being Sesame Street'. Lanre. Bakare. The Guardian. April 6, 2018. November 2, 2016. November 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114230730/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/02/atlanta-fx-donald-glover-bill-oreilly-black-lives. live.
  10. Web site: Donald Glover Previews His FX Comedy 'Atlanta': "'Twin Peaks' With Rappers". Stanhope. Kate. January 16, 2016. January 7, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. Web site: N'Duka. Amanda. Donald Glover On 'Atlanta': "I Just Think That It's The Most American Place" — TCA. Deadline Hollywood. January 7, 2022. January 16, 2016. November 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114230729/https://deadline.com/2016/01/fx-atlanta-cast-and-producers-tca-1201684453/. live.
  12. Web site: 'Atlanta's Donald Glover On 'Community' & How Everything Comes To An End: "Like One Day, Trump Is Gonna Die" – TCA. D'Alessandro. Anthony. August 9, 2016. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  13. Web site: 'Atlanta': Donald Glover Wants You To Feel What It's Like to Be Black. Miller. Liz Shannon. August 9, 2016. January 7, 2022. IndieWire.
  14. Web site: Donald Glover's Rap Comedy Atlanta Gets Pilot Order from FX Networks. Swift. Andy. December 12, 2014. January 7, 2022. TVLine.
  15. Web site: Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Lee Stanfield & Zazie Beetz To Co-Star In Donald Glover Comedy Pilot 'Atlanta'. Petski. Denise. July 2, 2015. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  16. Web site: Donald Glover Pilot "Atlanta" Casts Its Leads as Production Gets Underway. July 2, 2015. January 7, 2022. The Futon Critic.
  17. Web site: 'Atlanta': Meet Hiro Murai, the Hip-Hop Music Director of FX's Baffling and Beautiful New Series. Nguyen. Hahn. September 13, 2016. January 7, 2022. IndieWire.
  18. Web site: 'Atlanta': Donald Glover to Make TV Directorial Debut with Two Episodes. Nguyen. Hahn. August 10, 2016. January 7, 2022. IndieWire.
  19. Web site: 'American Horror Story', 'Atlanta' & 'Better Things' Get FX Premiere Dates. Pedersen. Erik. July 5, 2016. January 7, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  20. Web site: 'Atlanta' Trailer: Donald Glover's Newest Teaser Inspired By Spike Jonze's Video For Pharcydes' 'Drop'. Murthi. Vikram. June 3, 2016. January 7, 2022. IndieWire.
  21. Atlanta: Donald Glover wakes up in strange places in dreamy trailer. Robinson. Will. July 5, 2016. January 7, 2022. Entertainment Weekly.
  22. Web site: Atlanta: Donald Glover Tries to Catch a Rising Hip-Hop Star in First Trailer. Schwartz. Ryan. August 13, 2016. January 7, 2022. TVLine.
  23. Web site: Atlanta: The Complete First Season DVD . Best Buy . January 7, 2022.
  24. Web site: Atlanta: Season 1 (2016). Fandango Media. Rotten Tomatoes. January 7, 2022. January 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170110143800/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/atlanta/s01. live.
  25. Web site: Atlanta - Season 1 Reviews. CBS Interactive. Metacritic. January 7, 2022. November 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201114230826/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/atlanta/season-1. live.
  26. Web site: 'Atlanta' makes brilliant start to fall TV season . San Francisco Chronicle . David . Wiegand . August 30, 2016 . September 2, 2016.
  27. Web site: TV Review: FX's 'Atlanta' and 'Better Things' . Variety . Sonia . Saraiya . September 1, 2016 . September 2, 2016.
  28. Web site: Review: Donald Glover does something very different—and very good—in 'Atlanta'. HitFix. Alan. Sepinwall. August 31, 2016. January 7, 2022.
  29. Web site: Best of 2016: Television Critic Top Ten Lists. Metacritic. Jason. Dietz. December 6, 2016. January 7, 2022.
  30. Web site: AFI Awards: This Is Us, Stranger Things, Atlanta Make TV's Top 10 of 2016. Dave. Nemetz. TVLine. December 8, 2016. December 8, 2016. January 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170112072542/http://tvline.com/2016/12/08/afi-awards-best-tv-2016-this-is-us-stranger-things/. live.
  31. Critics' Choice Awards 2016 winners list: La La Land, People v. O.J dominate. Entertainment Weekly. December 11, 2016. December 12, 2016. December 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161212061407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/12/11/critics-choice-awards-2016-winners. live.
  32. Web site: Hipes. Patrick. DGA TV Awards Nominations: 'Stranger Things', 'Westworld' & 'Atlanta' On List; Docus Include 'OJ: Made In America'. Deadline Hollywood. January 11, 2017. January 11, 2017. January 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170111235905/http://deadline.com/2017/01/2017-dga-tv-awards-nominees-directors-guild-nominations-1201883327/. live.
  33. Web site: Golden Globes: The Night Manager, O.J., The Crown, Atlanta Are Big Winners. Matt Webb. Mitovich. TVLine. January 8, 2017. January 8, 2017. January 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170110133329/http://tvline.com/2017/01/08/golden-globe-award-winners-2017-full-list/. live.
  34. Web site: Gotham Awards 2017: Complete Winners List . IndieWire . Kate . Erbland . November 27, 2017 . November 30, 2017 . August 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815201216/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/gotham-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-1201901260/ . live .
  35. Web site: "Get Out" Leads MTV Movie & TV Awards Nominations. Kyle. Eustice. HipHopDX. April 7, 2017. May 2, 2017. May 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170520071250/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.42997/title.get-out-leads-mtv-movie-tv-awards-nominations. live.
  36. Web site: NAACP Image Awards 2017 Winners: The Complete List. McKenna. Aiello. E! News. February 12, 2017. February 12, 2017. February 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170213001631/http://www.eonline.com/news/827168/naacp-image-awards-2017-winners-the-complete-list. live.
  37. Web site: The Peabody Awards - Atlanta. peabodyawards.com. April 24, 2017. June 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170606173440/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/atlanta. live.
  38. Web site: People's Choice Awards Nominations Are Here: Find Out How to Vote for Your Favorites. Stephanie. Petit. People. November 16, 2016. November 16, 2016. January 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170112211447/http://people.com/awards/peoples-choice-awards-nominations-full-list-movies-tv-music/. live.
  39. Web site: Atlanta. Emmys.com. July 13, 2017. July 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170722191757/http://www.emmys.com/shows/atlanta. live.
  40. News: McNary. Dave. Producers Guild TV Awards: 'Westworld,' 'Stranger Things,' 'Atlanta' Grab Nominations. January 5, 2017. Variety. January 5, 2017. June 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614221252/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/westworld-stranger-things-producers-guild-award-tv-noms-1201953173/. live.
  41. Web site: Writers Guild Awards: FX Wins Big With Atlanta, O.J. and The Americans. February 19, 2017. Schwartz. Ryan. TVLine. February 22, 2017. February 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170228040120/http://tvline.com/2017/02/19/writers-guild-awards-winners-2017-list-wga/. live.
  42. Web site: TCA Awards: The Handmaid's Tale, Atlanta, Big Little Lies, Carrie Coon Among Big Winners . TVLine . Ryan . Schwartz . August 5, 2017 . August 6, 2017 . January 3, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180103032315/https://tvline.com/2017/08/05/tca-awards-2017-winners-critics-the-handmaids-tale-program-of-the-year/ . live .

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