Game of Thrones leads Emmy field with 23 nominations
Fantasy drama Game of Thrones led the field for television’s coveted Primetime Emmy awards Thursday for a third straight year, with nominations in 23 categories.
HBO’s fantasy epic about noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne will compete for the prestigious outstanding drama series trophy for the fifth year in a row, the Television Academy announced.
The show, which raked in a record- breaking 12 awards last year, faces competition from House of Cards, Better Call Saul, Mr. Robot, Downton Abbey, The Americans and Homeland.
FX’s hotly- tipped The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story scored the second highest tally with 22 nods, followed by Fargo with 18.
HBO’s political comedy Veep, starring Julia LouisDreyfus as hapless President Selina Meyer, scored 17 nominations for television’s equivalent of the Oscars
Anthony Anderson, star of ABC’s hit series blackish, and Gilmore Girls actress Lauren Grah- am presented the nominations for the 68th Emmy Awards at the Television Academy in Los Angeles.
Anderson whooped when Graham read out his name in the best comedy actor category, shouting: Hi momma — I know you’re watching!
HBO’s political comedy Veep, starring Julia LouisDreyfus as hapless President Selina Meyer — scored 17 nominations for television’s equivalent of the Oscars, to be handed out on September 18 in Los Angeles. Several hotly tipped shows missed out on widely- expected nods, however, including The Good Wife, which was shut out of best show honours, and Netflix’s prison comedy drama Orange is the New Black which failed to pick up a single nomination.
“Television dominates entertainment conversation and is enjoying the most spectacular run in its history... Today marks the start of our annual celebration of the best of the best,” said Academy chairman Bruce Rosenblum.
Empire, Fox’s debut melodrama about family feuds in a musical empire, picked up just one nomination despite its success with TV viewers, 17.6 million of whom tuned into the first season finale.