MUMBAI: US cable network HBO has once again come out on top with 94 Emmy nominations. This is, however, a reduction from the 126 nominations it got last year.
FX Networks and Netflix have improved significantly. FX Networks got 56 nominations this time compared to 38 last year while the internet TV network Netflix got 54 compared to 34 last year. NBC got 41, the same as last year. ABC and CBS each got 35 nominations, a reduction from 42 and 41 last year.
While ‘Game of Thrones’ again tallied the most nominations (23), limited series ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ and ‘Fargo’ received 22 nominations and 18 nominations respectively.
Television Academy chairman, CEO Bruce Rosenblum said, “Television dominates the entertainment conversation and is enjoying the most spectacular run in its history with breakthrough creativity, emerging platforms and dynamic new opportunities for our industry’s storytellers. From favourites like ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Veep’ and ‘House of Cards’ to nominations newcomers like ‘black-ish’, ‘Master of None’, ‘The Americans’ and ‘Mr. Robot’, television has never been more impactful in its storytelling, sheer breadth of series and quality of performances by an incredibly diverse array of talented performers. The Television Academy is thrilled to once again honour the very best that television has to offer.”
This year’s Drama and Comedy Series nominees include first-timers as well as returning programmes to the Emmy competition: ‘black-ish’ and ‘Master of None’ are new in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, and ‘Mr. Robot’ and ‘The Americans’ in the Outstanding Drama Series competition. Additionally, both ‘Veep’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ return to vie for their second Emmy in Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Drama Series respectively.
Some key nominees in the six lead performer categories are either first-time nominees, or familiar names with multiple nominations. For Outstanding Lead Performer for a Drama Series category (actor and actress), newcomers include Rami Malek in ‘Mr. Robot’ and both Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in ‘The Americans’.
Similarly, in the Outstanding Lead Performer for a Comedy Series category (actor and actress), names new to the nominations emerged this year such as: Aziz Ansari in ‘Master of None’, Thomas Middleditch in ‘Silicon Valley’, Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ and Tracee Ellis Ross in ‘black-ish’. In addition, previous three-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf (for her supporting role on ‘Roseanne’) emerged a multiple-nominee: in the lead comedy category for ‘Getting On’, as well as for her comedic guest work in ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and her dramatic guest work in ‘Horace and Pete’.
Contenders for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Limited Series or Movie category (actor and actress), include twice-nominated Sarah Paulson in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ (as well as in ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’), and first-time nominees Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Night Manager’, Courtney B. Vance and Cuba Gooding, Jr. in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’ and Kirsten Dunst in ‘Fargo’.
After fully transitioning to an online voting system last year, the Academy saw a 22% increase in participation for this year’s nomination round. Final round online voting begins 15 August.
The 68th Emmy Awards, including the star-studded Red Carpet preshow, will telecast from The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on 18 September on ABC and in India on Star World. Emmy Award-winning live television and event producer Don Mischer will executive produce the broadcast hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.