Critics’ Choice TV Awards Name Top New Series, Sets Ryan Murphy For Icon Honor

The Broadcast Television Journalists Assoc. spread the wealth among networks in its Most Exciting New Series category, which recognizes mostly upcoming series. This year’s list expanded to seven series, up from six last year, all on different networks. Underlying the struggles of the comedy genre, all shows on the list are dramas. The list is dominated by genre series, horror (Penny Dreadful, The Strain), sci-fi (Extant, The Leftovers) and fantasy/time travel (Outlander). It includes two series that already have premiered, Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, which already has been renewed for a second season, and AMC’s period drama Halt And Catch Fire. After CBS’ summer series Under The Dome, exec produced by Steven Spielberg, made the cut last year, the network’s new summer drama from Spielberg, Extant, has landed a nod this time, joined by one other broadcast series, Fox’s fall Batman prequel Gotham. The other entries are from former Lost co-showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse:  Lindelof’s HBO series The Leftovers and Cuse’s FX collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, The Strain. In addition to Under The Dome, last year’s most exciting new shows category featured Ray Donovan, Masters Of Sex, The Bridge, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Michael J. Fox Show.

Also announced today, Ryan Murphy will receive the Critics’ Choice LOUIS XIII Genius Award, established to honor an icon in the television industry. Last year, the prize, named Critics’ Choice Television Icon Award, went to Bob Newhart. The 4th annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards will air live on The CW from the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 19. Cedric the Entertainer is hosting.