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Joy Sunday's Emmy Nod for 'DTF St. Louis' and the Dream of Working with Jason Bateman
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Joy Sunday's Emmy Nod for 'DTF St. Louis' and the Dream of Working with Jason Bateman

Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais
Jul 09, 2026

Joy Sunday’s recent Emmy nomination for her role in "DTF St. Louis" marks a significant milestone in her career, bringing recognition not only to her individual performance but also to the acclaimed limited series which secured multiple nominations. Her journey to this achievement highlights a blend of professional aspiration and a nurturing on-set environment, creating a truly memorable experience.

Sunday's narrative is particularly compelling as it underscores the realization of a long-held dream: collaborating with Jason Bateman. This personal triumph, coupled with the series' critical success and the collective celebration among cast and crew, paints a vivid picture of dedication, talent, and shared accomplishment within the competitive landscape of television.

Joy Sunday's Emmy Recognition for 'DTF St. Louis'

Joy Sunday's portrayal of Agent Jodie Plumb in "DTF St. Louis" has earned her a prestigious Emmy nomination for supporting actress, a career first. The series itself has been widely praised, securing an impressive 13 nominations, including one for best limited or anthology series. Sunday recounted sharing the moment of the nomination announcement with her castmates, describing it as a collective celebration that highlighted the strong, family-like bond fostered on the show's set.

Despite having appeared in other notable productions like Netflix’s "Wednesday" and Blank Slate Pictures’ "Yas Kween," it was her work on "DTF St. Louis" that brought her this significant accolade. Sunday expressed immense faith in the series, viewing the recognition as an honor and a gift. She emphasized her happiness for the entire cast and crew, noting that the show’s success resonated deeply with everyone involved, making the Emmy nomination the "cream of the crop" for what was already her dream job.

Realizing a Dream: Working with Jason Bateman

A particularly poignant aspect of Sunday’s experience on "DTF St. Louis" was the opportunity to work alongside Jason Bateman, a collaboration she had actively manifested. She revealed a personal anecdote where she had texted her manager about her desire to "shadow Jason Bateman" almost a year before her audition for the HBO series. This aspiration became a reality when she found herself sharing scenes with him, creating a full-circle moment in her career.

Sunday humorously recalled her first day working with Bateman, arriving on set after a red-eye flight from another project, sleep-deprived, and immediately tasked with interrogating him for a week. Despite the challenging circumstances, she found the experience seamless, attributing it to the easygoing and warm atmosphere on set. She expressed profound gratitude for both Bateman and Richard Jenkins, her co-stars, for being exceptional scene partners, further enriching her inaugural Emmy-nominated performance and solidifying a professional dream come true.

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