Despite being a North American award, the Emmy Awards – known as Emmy – have already awarded Brazilian soap operas in their international version. The International Emmy focuses on productions made outside the United States, as the original version, considered the most important on television, tends to honor what is done within the United States.
Brazilian soap operas have gained the chance to be honored at the International Emmy since the event created the Best Telenovela category in 2008.
Since then, Brazil has had 17 nominated soap operas . Amongst them, seven winners such as “Caminho das Indias” and “Verdades Secretas.
Turkey is the most recent winning country, taking the statuette for “Yargi“, in the 2023 edition of the award.
Find out which Brazilian soap operas have already won the Emmy
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“Caminho das Indias” (2009)
Produced and shown by TV Globo from January 19 to September 12, 2009, “Caminho das Indias” had 203 chapters and was a success in Brazil. It introduced a new culture to viewers, dictated fashion and was internationally highlighted by winning the Emmy in the same year of its launch, also becoming the first Brazilian soap opera to be awarded at the event.
The soap opera is set between India and Brazil, showing the great differences between the two cultures. The central plot is the forbidden passion between Maya and Bahuan, two Indians with very different origins.
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“The Astro” (2012)
Produced by TV Globo, “O Astro” was shown from July 12 to October 28, 2011 in 64 chapters and was awarded an Emmy in 2012. In the plot, an illusionist conquers fortunes and love through his magic tricks. However, he is also haunted by the enemies he makes.
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“Side by Side” (2013)
Produced by TV Globo and originally shown from September 10, 2012 to March 8, 2013, in 154 chapters, “Lado a Lado” won best at the 2013 Emmy. The soap opera “Avenida Brasil” also competed that year.
Set in Rio de Janeiro at the beginning of the 20th century, it tells the story of two women, Isabel and Laura, who, despite being from very different social levels, have the same desire: to fight for women's equality, to reconcile motherhood and profession.
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“Rare Gem” (2014)
Produced by TV Globo and originally broadcast from September 16, 2013 to April 4, 2014 in 173 chapters, “Jóia Rara” won the Emmy in 2014. In the plot, two people from different worlds fall in love and have a daughter with special gifts . The soap opera also discusses the theme of reincarnation.
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“Empire” (2015)
Produced by TV Globo and originally broadcast from July 21, 2014 to March 13, 2015 in 203 chapters, “Império” won best at the Emmys in 2015.
In the plot, José Alfredo, owner of an international chain of jewelry stores, is capable of anything to maintain his power. However, some relatives want to appropriate his fortune. In the midst of this struggle for power, she also faces a marital crisis.
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“Secret Truths” (2016)
Produced and shown by TV Globo, the first season of the series was shown from June 8 to September 25, 2015 in 64 chapters and won the International Emmy in 2016. The soap opera “A Regra do Jogo” also competed.
Abandoned by her husband, Carolina moves to São Paulo with her daughter Arlete, a beautiful young woman who dreams of being a model. However, behind the glamor of the fashion world lies the tempting and dangerous underworld of luxury prostitution.
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“Orphans of the Earth” (2020)
Produced by TV Globo and originally broadcast from April 2 to September 27, 2019, in 154 chapters, “Orfãos da Terra” won the Emmy in 2020.
Jamil is sent to Brazil by the powerful sheikh Aziz Abdallah to go after Laila, one of the boss's wives who fled to America after her brother's death. Without the sheikh's approval, Jamil ends up falling in love with Laila and begins a forbidden love.
Other soap operas that competed for the Emmy, but did not win, were: “Paraíso Tropical” (2008), “Araguaia” (2011), “Avenida Brasil” (2013), “A Regra do Jogo” (2016), “Totalmente Demais” (2017), “Velho Chico” (2017), “Amor de Mãe” (2021) and “Nos Tempos do Imperador” (2022), “Pantanal” (2023) and “Cara e Coragem” (2023).
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
