‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ cleans up at the Emmys 2017
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards delivered a landmark night for streaming television. The Handmaid's Tale claimed Outstanding Drama Series and helped Hulu become the first streaming platform to win in that category. The win edged out HBO's Westworld, AMC's Better Call Saul, and Netflix's House of Cards. The Crown and This Is Us each took home a single award. Stranger Things received 18 nominations and left with nothing. Westworld arrived with 22 nominations and also went home empty. Game of Thrones sat out entirely because its season missed the eligibility window. HBO still found success with Big Little Lies. Saturday Night Live collected two trophies, and FX's Atlanta gave Donald Glover acting and directing wins in the comedy categories.
Historical Significance for Streaming Services
The Handmaid's Tale win marked the first time a streaming service took Outstanding Drama Series. That single victory shifted the conversation about who could compete at the highest level. Streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix began earning multiple major categories that night. The moment signaled that traditional broadcast and cable networks would no longer dominate the top prizes without serious competition from on-demand services.
Outstanding limited series
Big Little Lies won Outstanding Limited Series plus four additional awards that night. The series outperformed expectations across acting, directing, and writing categories. Fargo, Feud: Bette and Joan, The Night Of, and Genius rounded out the nominees but did not claim the top prize.
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series
Elisabeth Moss won for The Handmaid's Tale. Moss's win contributed to multiple major categories for the streaming platform. Viola Davis, Claire Foy, Keri Russell, Evan Rachel Wood, and Robin Wright were also nominated in a competitive field.
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
Ann Dowd took the award for The Handmaid's Tale. Samira Wiley earned a nomination in the same category for the same series. Uzo Aduba, Millie Bobby Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Thandie Newton rounded out the list.
The Handmaid's Tale's Full Emmy Legacy
The series earned 15 Primetime Emmys total over its run. It concluded after six seasons in May 2025. The 2017 sweep established the show as a critical and awards-season force from its first season forward. Later seasons continued to receive recognition even as the cultural conversation around the story evolved.
Creative Arts Emmys Context
Creative Arts Emmys awarded technical and guest categories separately. The Handmaid's Tale received additional recognition in guest acting categories during this period. The Primetime ceremony on September 17 focused on the major series, acting, writing, and directing trophies while the earlier ceremony handled the supporting craft awards.
Impact on Future Emmy Eligibility Rules
Eligibility windows have remained key factors for serialized shows. Game of Thrones' absence in 2017 highlighted how production schedules could sideline even dominant programs. A new Legacy Award category was later introduced for long-running series. The adjustment reflected ongoing efforts to keep the awards relevant as release patterns changed across networks and platforms.
The night underscored how quickly the television landscape was shifting. Hulu's breakthrough with The Handmaid's Tale opened doors that other streaming services would soon walk through. Big Little Lies proved limited series could dominate multiple categories in a single evening. Donald Glover's dual wins for Atlanta showed that comedy could still surprise even when drama dominated headlines. The 69th Emmys captured a transitional moment before streaming became the default home for prestige television.
