Apple TV+’s “Palm Royale” made Emmy history with its all-women stunt team earning nominations across two major categories. Mallory Thompson received recognition for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for Comedy Programming, while Colby Lemmo and Sonja Wajih earned nominations for Outstanding Stunt Performance. Their work on Episode 6, “Maxine Finds Herself,” marked the first time an all-women stunt ensemble from the same series achieved concurrent nominations in both categories.
The episode featured an extended three-minute fight sequence between characters portrayed by Kristen Wiig and Claudia Ferri, drawing inspiration from classic television brawls. The confrontation escalated dramatically, beginning indoors with property destruction before moving outdoors and concluding in a swimming pool. Director Stephanie Laing and showrunner Abe Sylvia approved ambitious pitches from Thompson, allowing the creative team to push the sequence’s boundaries. The complex choreography required over four days of shooting across multiple locations with more than 60 camera setups.
Thompson carefully designed the sequence with both principal actors and stunt performers in mind, utilizing prevised footage as a blueprint. Execution presented unique challenges, particularly during the staircase portion where Lemmo and Wajih needed to remain entangled while managing elaborate costumes, wigs, and accessories befitting glamorous Florida socialites. The underwater finale demanded specialized equipment and precise timing, with the team ultimately capturing the shot in a single take as daylight faded.
Originally reported by Variety →
About the Author
