Linda Cardellini Tearfully Calls First Emmys Win “A Real Dream Come True”

Linda Cardellini, who has been acting for longer than three decades, finally won her first Emmy on Sunday for her performance in DTF St. Louis, calling it a “real dream come true.”

The actress, overcome with tears, thanked her family, friends, her co-stars, creator Steve Conrad, the producers and her team following her win in the best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie category.

“I’m sorry, it’s a little embarrassing, but this has just been an unbelievable journey,” she said through tears. “And thank you to the Academy and thank you to everyone along this way, all these years, who’ve helped me get to this moment. It’s a real dream come true.”

Cardellini was nominated alongside Dakota Fanning (All Her Fault), Laurie Metcalf (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Joy Sunday (DTF St. Louis), Youn Yuh-jung (Beef) and Constance Zimmer (Love Story). Cardellini had previously been nominated in 2013 for her guest performance in Mad Men,and twice in 2020 for Dead to Me.

David Harbour won the corresponding best actor award for his performance in DTF St. Louis. It marked his first Emmy win as well. DTF St. Louis received a total of 13 Emmy nominations this year, winning six (at time of the publication of this article) for best writing and directing (Conrad), picture editing, cinematography and supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie.

The Creative Arts Emmys are celebrated over two nights. The dual ceremonies, which are taking place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, are not televised live. This marks the first year that the awards for supporting actor and actress in a limited series or movie were announced during the Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies instead of the main telecast. The Television Academy announced in July that both categories, along with writing for a variety series and writing and directing for a limited series or movie, would move from the broadcast show, stating in a memo, “Given the extraordinary breadth of work recognized each year and the limited time available within a three-hour broadcast, a select number of categories will be moving to the Emmy ceremonies taking place the week prior to the telecast.”

Here is the full winners list for night two. Click here for the night one winners list.