Emmy Overachiever Jason Bateman on Whether He Considers Himself an Actor or Director First

Home TV Awards Aug 21, 2026 4:45pm PT Emmy Overachiever Jason Bateman on Whether He Considers Himself an Actor or Director First Awards Circuit Podcast: The 'Black Rabbit' star/director and 'DTF St. Louis' star/producer on his multiple nominations and more. On the Awards Circuit Roundtable, we look at the state of the race as Phase 2 voting continues.  By Michael Schneider Plus Icon Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large franklinavenue Latest Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Pageants Pulled From The CW Just a Week Before Air 3 hours ago How Did the Emmys’ Documentary Category Get So Star-Studded? 6 hours ago Disney Partners With Dhar Mann Studios, Which Has Been Given a 20-Episode Series Order 8 hours ago See All JC Olivera/Variety Jason Bateman is this year’s Emmy overachiever, nominated for lead limited series actor and limited series directing on Netflix’s “Black Rabbit,” and as both supporting actor and executive producer on another limited series, HBO Max’s “DTF St. Louis.” So where does the multi-hyphenate’s brain reside more in these days, as an actor or director? “They are in both worlds at the same time, but they kind of always have been,” Bateman tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “That’s why I was so drawn to having the official job of directing. Acting at an early age became so comfortable for me that I was able to really observe all the incredible work going around me. All the technical work of the camera and sound and lighting and what might be happening with editing later. So I’ve always thought about all of that — what a team it takes.” Related Stories Amazon Game Studios Divests MMOs ‘Lost Ark,’ ‘Throne and Liberty’ in Strategy Shift