Darran Tiernan Wins Emmy for Spider-Noir Cinematography in First-Ever Nomination
Irish cinematographer Darran Tiernan has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, claiming the prize on his first-ever nomination for his visually stunning work on the Prime Video series Spider-Noir — a win that adds to a remarkable year for Irish talent in international film and television and that recognises a career spanning more than three decades of exceptional work in the industry.
Background
Darran Tiernan is one of the most respected cinematographers working in high-end television production today, though his name is less well known to general audiences than the shows he has helped to create. A native of Ireland who has been based in Los Angeles for many years, Tiernan has built a career that spans commercials, independent film, and prestige television, with credits that include Westworld, Perry Mason, Barry, and The Penguin — a portfolio that represents some of the most visually ambitious television produced in the past decade.
His connection to Irish television is also significant: he worked on the RTÉ series Single-Handed, which was filmed in Connemara and which remains one of the most visually distinctive Irish television productions of the past twenty years. That work demonstrated an ability to use landscape and light in ways that are deeply rooted in the Irish visual tradition, and it is a sensibility that has informed his work in American television even as the scale and budget of his projects have grown dramatically.
Spider-Noir, the Prime Video series that earned Tiernan his Emmy nomination, is a neo-noir reimagining of the Marvel character set in 1930s New York, starring Nicolas Cage as an ageing private detective version of Spider-Man. The series is notable for its use of both colour and black-and-white cinematography — a technically demanding approach that requires exceptional skill to execute convincingly — and Tiernan's work on the episode "Step into My Office" was singled out by the Television Academy as the outstanding example of cinematography in the one-hour drama category.
Key Developments
The Emmy Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles on Sunday evening, with the Creative Arts ceremonies — at which Tiernan's award was presented — having been held on 5 and 6 September. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were dominated by the Apple TV+ comedy-horror series Widow's Bay, which set a new all-time record for the most Emmy wins by a comedy series in a single year with 14 awards. Irish audiences will also have noted the success of the series, which features Kate O'Flynn — the Galway-born actress — in a supporting role that earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Tiernan, speaking after the ceremony, described the win as "surreal" and dedicated it to his family and to the crew of Spider-Noir. "Cinematography is a collaborative art," he said. "This award belongs to everyone who worked on that show, not just to me. But I won't pretend I'm not absolutely delighted." He also paid tribute to his Irish roots, noting that his early work in Ireland had given him a visual education that he draws on constantly in his American career.
The win is Tiernan's first Emmy nomination and first win, a remarkable achievement for a cinematographer who has been working at the highest level of the industry for more than thirty years. It reflects both the quality of his work on Spider-Noir and the growing recognition within the Television Academy of the contribution that cinematographers make to the overall quality of a production.
Why It Matters
Tiernan's Emmy win is significant for Irish film and television culture for several reasons. It demonstrates that Irish talent — even when working primarily in the American industry — maintains a connection to its roots and brings a distinctively Irish sensibility to its work. It also adds to a growing body of evidence that Irish cinematographers, directors, and writers are among the most sought-after in the international industry, a fact that reflects both the quality of Irish film education and the richness of the cultural tradition from which Irish artists draw.
The win comes at a time when the Irish film and television industry is experiencing a period of significant growth, driven by the expansion of international production in Ireland and the success of Irish-made content on global streaming platforms. The Screen Ireland agency has been instrumental in supporting this growth, and Tiernan's Emmy win is a reminder that the talent pipeline that feeds the international industry begins at home.
For younger Irish cinematographers and filmmakers, Tiernan's success is an inspiration and a proof of concept. His career trajectory — from Irish television to the highest levels of American prestige television — demonstrates that it is possible to build a world-class career while maintaining a connection to Irish culture and values.
Local Impact
In Ireland, the reaction to Tiernan's win has been warm and proud. Screen Ireland congratulated him on social media, noting that his success was "a testament to the extraordinary talent that Ireland produces in the film and television industry." The Irish Film and Television Academy has indicated that it will honour Tiernan at its annual awards ceremony in November 2026. Several Irish film schools have already cited his win as an example of the career possibilities available to their graduates.
What's Next
Tiernan is currently in pre-production on a new project — details of which have not yet been announced — that is expected to begin filming in early 2027. Spider-Noir was cancelled by Prime Video after its first season, despite its critical success and Emmy recognition, a decision that has been widely criticised by fans and industry observers. Tiernan has indicated that he is in discussions with several streaming platforms about future projects and that he hopes to return to Ireland to work on a project in the near future.
