Game of Thrones’ Epic Homecoming
On a breezy Thursday, the Emmy awards circuit felt the thunderous roar of Game of Thrones as it landed a record‑breaking 22 nominations, a feat that won it the top spot once again.
Season 8: The Final Countdown
HBO’s massive fantasy saga is gearing up to drop a shortened eighth and final season next year. All eyes will be on whether it can snag the coveted Best Drama Series trophy, a handful of acting medals, and a cascade of technical accolades.
Sneaky Competitors
- Saturday Night Live – 21 nods, bringing comedy’s perennial love‑interest to the same page.
- Westworld – 21 nominations; a fellow HBO powerhouse ready to challenge the throne.
Counting the Nominations
The Television Academy, a membership of over 22,000, spent two weeks in June combing through roughly 9,000 entries to handpick the nominees for this year’s Emmys, the small‑screen counterpart of the Oscars.
“The continued growth of the industry has opened doors for fresh, acclaimed programs while allowing last season’s breakout hits to thrive,” announced Academy chair Hayma Washington.
Which Shows Were Adoiled?
The Emmy eligibility period ends on May 31, so beloved blockbusters like Better Call Saul, House of Cards, and Veep were left out for this cycle. Meanwhile, powerful political drama like The Handmaid’s Tale (20 nominations) and The Crown (13) are eyeing the best drama crown.
Netflix vs. HBO
Netflix swallowed 112 nominations, breaking HBO’s 17-year winning streak, while HBO safely parked 108. NBC, trailing with 78 nips, had a solid showing as well.
Inside the Emmy Landscape
Game of Thrones Takes the Lead
Game of Thrones was the frontrunner, thanks to its unforgettable season one, with standout performances from Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, and Diana Rigg. The series also eyed writing, directing, and a suite of technical awards.
Other Drama Heavyweights
- The Americans (FX) – 4 nominations.
- Westworld – solid number of sits.
- Stranger Things – fresh sci‑fi excellence (12).
- Wonderful this is US – heartfelt family drama from NBC.
New Blood
- The Assassination of Gianni Versace – 18 nominations, featuring Darren Criss, Penelope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez, and Ricky Martin.
- Atlanta – Donald Glover’s genius comedy snagged 16 nods.
- Full Frontal (TBS) – Samantha Bee fired back with a daring TV talk show spot.
Star‑Studded Awards
- Best actor in a limited series or TV movie – standout nominees like Antonio Banderas, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Legend, and Jeff Daniels.
- Famous faces like Al Pacino, Kyle MacLachlan, and Michael B. Jordan saw the ballots miss them.
- Anticipated winner? Darren Criss – the modestly known star playing Andrew Cunanan, a role that could land the Emmy in September.
Late‑Resurrection of Classic TV
After a two‑decade hiatus, Roseanne reemerged as one of the few gritty portrayals of working‑class life to grace TV screens. Although the show was put on hold by ABC following a controversial tweet by its star, the Emmy spotlight remained focused on Laurie Metcalf, who receives her eighth nomination.
Upcoming Ceremony
The second round of voting kicks off in August, followed by the live ceremony on September 17 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, streamed on NBC. The hosts will be Colin Jost and Michael Che from Saturday Night Live.
