Nominations for the 72nd Emmy Awards were announced today recognising a host of groundbreaking new programs and up-and-coming talent, along with beloved performers and hit shows that have been integral in helping television viewers navigate a changing world.
Five Australians are among the nominees this year – Hannah Gadsby, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Snook and Toni Collette.
The live nominations ceremony, reimagined as a virtual event due to production restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, was hosted by Supermarket Sweep star and Saturday Night Live alumnus Leslie Jones with presenters Laverne Cox (Inventing Anna), Josh Gad (Central Park), Tatiana Maslany (Perry Mason) and Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma.
HBO‘s Watchmen took the top spot for program nominations with 26 followed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (20), Ozark (18), Succession (18), The Mandalorian (15), Schitt’s Creek (15), Saturday Night Live (15) and The Crown (13).
Netflix lead the nominations in totals by platform with 160, setting a record previously held by HBO with 137 nominations in 2019. HBO had the second-most nominations with 107, and rounding out the top five were NBC with 47, ABC with 36 and FX with 33.
Half of this year’s nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series are new to the category, including Dead to Me, Insecure, The Kominsky Method and What We Do in the Shadows. Returning favourites include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Schitt’s Creek.
The Mandalorian is a newcomer in the Outstanding Drama Series category joining returning nominees Better Call Saul, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, Ozark, Stranger Things and Succession.
The categories where Australian actors have been nominated are:
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
• Laura Dern as Renata Klein– Big Little Lies • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine, David E. Kelley Productions and crazyrose Productions
• Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright– Big Little Lies • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine, David E. Kelley Productions and crazyrose Productions
• Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret– The Crown • Netflix • Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television
• Samira Wiley as Moira- The Handmaid’s Tale • Hulu • MGM, Daniel Wilson Productions, The Littlefield Company, White Oak Pictures
• Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens- Killing Eve • BBC America • Sid Gentle Films Ltd.
• Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore- Ozark • Netflix • Media Rights Capital
• Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy- Succession • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions
• Thandie Newton as Maeve- Westworld • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Kilter Films, Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
• Holland Taylor as Miss Kincaid– Hollywood • Netflix • Netflix
• Uzo Aduba as Shirley Chisholm– Mrs. America • FX Networks • FX Productions
• Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug– Mrs. America • FX Networks • FX Productions
• Tracey Ullman as Betty Friedan– Mrs. America • FX Networks • FX Productions
• Toni Collette as Detective Grace Rasmussen– Unbelievable • Netflix • CBS Television Studios
• Jean Smart as Agent Laurie Blake– Watchmen • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special
• Dave Chappelle- Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones • Netflix • Lathan TV | Pilot Boy
• Hannah Gadsby– Hannah Gadsby: Douglas • Netflix • Irwin Entertainment
• John Mulaney & Marika Sawyer.- John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch • Netflix • 3 Arts Entertainment
• Patton Oswalt– Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything • Netflix • Jax Media
• Seth Meyers– Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby • Netflix • Irwin Entertainment
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
• Hugh Jackman as Frank Tassone- Bad Education, HBO, HBO Films in association with Automatik, Sight Unseen and Slater Hall Productions
• Jeremy Pope as Archie Coleman- Hollywood, Netflix
• Mark Ruffalo as Dominick Birdsey/Thomas Birdsey– I Know This Much Is True, HBO, HBO Entertainment in association with Willi Hill Productions and FilmNation Entertainment
• Paul Mescal as Connell– Normal People, Hulu, Hulu Originals in association
• Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias- Watchmen, HBO, HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics