TV Academy Defends 'Beast in Me' Emmy Nomination Amid Eligibility Questions

The Television Academy is officially defending the Emmy nomination for the Netflix limited series The Beast in Me in the best original main title theme music category, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. This follows questions regarding the nomination's eligibility based on theme music length and appearance rules.

A TV Academy spokesperson insisted the submission was accepted because the rules contain conflicting language. “The Peer Group Executive Committee realizes that they need to tighten up the language before next year’s competition and they will do that in October,” the spokesperson told THR.

What are the eligibility rules?

Emmys rules state that main title theme music must be “at least 15 seconds in length” to be eligible. However, the longest the theme is reportedly heard in any episode of The Beast in Me is 13 seconds. Rules also require the theme to appear in 50 percent or more of eligible episodes. While music appears in five of the series' eight episodes, a disputant notes each of those five episodes features different theme music.

The Academy bases its decision on official production cue sheets, not viewer perception. A spokesperson explained, “sound beds and accompanying music are included if surrounding the main title.” The Academy has taken no action to rescind the nomination.

Was the composer involved?

The report underscores that composer Sean Callery, who is also nominated for the series' dramatic score, was not part of the submission or judging process. “In no way, shape or form was Sean part of the submission process or the judging process,” the spokesperson said.

The Beast in Me received nine Primetime Emmy nominations overall on July 8, including for best limited series and acting nods for Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys.