MUMBAI: Last night, the nominations for the 68th Emmy Awards were announced in Los Angeles amidst the collective ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s of the world’s entertainment industry. Given the impressive lineup of content that 2015 has produced, it isn’t surprising that all eyes were on who will make it to the list.
Hosted by Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum along with Anthony Anderson from the ABC series black-ish and Lauren Graham from Parenthood and the upcoming Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls, the gala event drew in several celebrated faces—from television, Hollywood, and of course the digital world.
“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,” said Rosenblum. Having said so, one look at the nomination list and see the telling difference digital content has made.
From Game Of Thrones from HBO GO to Veep, to House Of Cards from Netflix – several original web-serieses have repeat mentions on the nomination list in various categories. 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.
This year’s Drama and Comedy Series nominees include first-timers as well as returning programs 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.
John Oliver fans would be delighted to know that HBO’s flagship variety show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver too has secured itself nominations in seven categories including Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series and Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series
Other favourites include, 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.
The awards itself has undergone a digital transformation. After fully transitioning to an online voting system last year, the Academy saw a 22 percent increase in participation for this year’s nomination round. Final-round online voting begins August 15. The 68th Primetime Emmys will be simulcast live in India on Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere HD on September 19.
Here are the nominees in some of the important categories:
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Kyle Chandler – Bloodline
Rami Malek – Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul
Matthew Rhys – The Americans
Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Claire Danes – Homeland
Viola Davis – How to Get Away with Murder
Taraji P. Henson – Empire
Tatiana Maslany – Orphan Black
Keri Russell – The Americans
Robin Wright – House of Cards
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Bryan Cranston – All The Way
Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock
Idris Elba – Luther
Cuba Gooding Jr. – The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Tom Hiddleston – The Night Manager
Courtney B. Vance – The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Kirsten Dunst – Fargo
Felicity Huffman – American Crime
Audra McDonald – Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
