Apple TV+ Programming Head Matt Cherniss on When ‘Severance' Might Return and Why the Streamer's Execs Didn't Cameo on ‘The Studio'

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3 days ago

Apple TV+'s whopping 79 Emmy nominations — a new best — doesn't even tell the whole story of the streamer's solid batting average. While HBO Max (142) and Netflix (120) boasted more, it was also from a larger pool of submissions. Apple TV+ submitted from 26 programs this year, while Netflix sent in submissions from 113 shows and HBO Max had 86.
'It's great for the service,' Apple TV+ head of programming Matt Cherniss told Variety. 'I'm especially happy for all the talent that's involved in making these incredible series. All of the talent takes a leap of faith when they're deciding where to bring their shows, and I'm just thrilled that they're rewarded for believing in us as a home for all their hard work.'
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Apple TV+'s haul included 'Severance,' which earned the most nominations this year at 27 (which means it also led all dramas), and 'The Studio,' which landed 23 nods — the most of any comedy. 'There's a lot of texts and calls flying back and forth,' Cherniss said. 'I wouldn't say that anyone goes into it expecting something like this. These are eight to 10 episodes for for the viewers, but this is years for all the creators involved. It's a great feeling for everyone, and for everyone here at Apple that has put their heart and soul in promoting these shows in marketing and giving everyone the support that they need.'
The success of 'Severance' came after a three-year gap between the show's first season and its second, due in part to the Hollywood strikes and other production delays. Asked whether Season 3 was on track, Cherniss said, 'I think everyone's just going to take a deep breath and enjoy where we're at. I know they're going as as quickly as they can. When you have the success that a show like 'Severance' has, you want to make sure you deliver on every level when the show comes back, and that takes some time. But they're on it, and I think I'm feeling really good about where we're at.'
Does that mean another three-year delay? 'No one wants it to be another three year gap… I don't believe that we have a production start date yet, but we're moving in that direction,' he said. 'I'm as excited as everyone else to see where the series goes. I may have a few ideas about where it's heading, but I like to be surprised as much as anyone.'
As for 'The Studio,' the show pulled off four of the five comedy guest star noms: Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie and Martin Scorsese, all as versions of themselves. Cherniss credited creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg for pulling off that caliber of cameos.
'Those are not easy, those cameos to come by inside of shows, and I think that everyone did it with a lot of joy,' he said. 'They went all in on those characters. And I think you really feel it inside the show.'
Other cameos included Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. But why no Apple execs like boss Tim Cook, Apple worldwide video heads Jamie Ehrlich and Zach Van Amburg, or even Cherniss himself? 'We're happy exactly where we are,' Cherniss said. 'I like where I sit.'
Among other nominations on Tuesday, Harrison Ford's first ever Emmy nod — thanks to Apple TV+'s 'Shrinking' — stood out. Meanwhile, exec producer David E. Kelley is busy at work on an entirely new story for Season 2 of 'Presumed Innocent,' which earned four noms. 'David has a great plan and a great story for season two, but I think we're keeping that under wraps for now,' Cherniss said.
Cherniss didn't have any news on further seasons of 'Pachinko' (which landed two nods for Season 2) or 'Dope Thief,' which earned a limited/anthology nom for Brian Tyree Henry. 'We all cheered as that moment came across this morning,' Cherniss said. 'He's so great in 'Dope Thief,' I think his performance is just amazing. That's a show that the audience really enjoyed as well. His performance was so deserving.'
As for what's next, Cherniss pointed to Jason Momoa's upcoming 'Chief of War,' as well as Season 4 of 'The Morning Show.' 'That show is always pushing boundaries and entertaining, and Season 4 is no different,' he said. 'They have fun with the subject matter. But I also think they always treat it with the the import that it deserves.'
And never forget, 'The Morning Show' sent a morning news anchor into space before 'CBS Mornings' did.
'That's a rarefied air when you can be as predictive as 'The Simpsons' is,' Cherniss quipped.
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