When trying to choose a new television drama series to watch, most viewers will seek out a good show that keeps them interested. They might not be looking for over the top over dramatic acting, impossible story lines, and low production value. Most people want to watch a show with compelling characters, a realistic but engaging plot, and beautifully designed sets all captured and edited to become a high quality show that is engaging both auditorily and visually. Viewers want to watch a good show, they want quality television. In her essay “Is Quality Television Any Good?”, Sarah Cardwell states, “American quality television programs tend to exhibit high production values, naturalistic performance…show more content… The critics thought that the show deserved to win 13 various major awards and receive 79 other nominations. In terms of production value, the show boasts many intricate and detailed settings, ranging from a large emergency room set to the actual streets of the Bronx and New York City, all being filmed by a single camera in beautiful high definition. Many of the shows nominations and awards come from its cinematography, directing, and casting. Regarding the acting and the cast, the shows protagonist is played by Edie Falco, who at the time of the premiere was already very famous for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Carmela Soprano on the renowned HBO drama The Sopranos. Her acting on Nurse Jackie quickly earned her numerous nominations and awards, as did the acting of many of the other actors in the main and recurring cast. Both Edie Falco and Meredith Weaver won awards and were recognized multiple times for their outstanding performance as a lead and supporting actress respectively. The show received the Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series in both 2013 and 2014 and after the first season won the Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme
