This year’s Emmy nominations are out and TATIANA MASLANY IS AMONG THEM! For years I’ve been drowning frustration that genre shows like The Walking Dead, Fringe, and Orphan Black aren’t getting the recognition they deserve. Today still, these shows aren’t up for Best Drama; in an alternate universe, Fringe did win the top prize and its star John Noble is a multi-trophy bearer. And yet, there is reason to celebrate because the leading lady of BBC America’s sci-fi clone frenzy, the one and only Tatiana Maslany of Orphan Black, was finally recognized for her truly incredible performances on the Graeme Manson and John Fawcett-created conspiracy thriller. She only plays like 10 different characters, each with their own set of personalities, quirks, and flaws. It’s something that demands to be seen to be entirely believed, and now the actress that makes it all come to life is centerstage at the Emmys.
Of course, the competition is mighty fierce. Orphan Black‘s Maslany is vying for Lead Actress in a Drama against Claire Danes (Homeland), Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder), Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), and Robin Wright (House of Cards). Danes starred in a riveting, refreshed season of Homeland. Davis gave a knockout, emotionally punishing performance in Shonda Rhimes’ HTGAWM. Henson wowed audiences as the no-holds-barred Cookie in Empire‘s debut season. Moss has one last shot to win an actor award for Mad Men‘s final season. And Wright continues to impress as the steely Mrs. Underwood in Netflix’s still red-hot series House of Cards. Good luck, Tatiana. Not that you need it. But still.
The seven series nominated for Outstanding Drama include Better Call Saul, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards, Mad Men, and Orange Is the New Black. Yeah, it was a great year for TV. Nominated Lead Actors include Kyle Chandler (Bloodline) Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan), and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards).
Over on the funny side, the following series are nominated for Outstanding Comedy: Louie, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Veep. Another tough category. Modern always wins. Parks ended its 7-year run on a (very) high note and deserves a series win. HBO’s Silicon Valley and Veep continue to conjure smart laughs. Transparent is a game-changer and put Amazon on the map with Netflix, and featured a tour-de-force performance by Jeffrey Tambor. And who could forget just how inherently fun and funny Kimmy Schmidt was in its breakout debut? Did somebody say Peeno Noir…
Funny girls up for Lead Actress include Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), Amy Poehler! (Parks and Recreation), Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer), and Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie). Lead Actors: Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Louis C.K. (Louie), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), Will Forte (Last Man on Earth), Matt LeBlanc (Episodes), William H. Macy (Shameless), and yes, Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent).
Elsewhere, John Ridley’s captivating ABC drama American Crime and Ryan Murphy’s FX fright fest American Horror Story: Freak Show dominated the Limited Series categories.
In total, HBO’s fantasy drama Game of Thrones racked up the most nods with 24, followed by AHS: Freak Show (19), Olive Kitteridge (13), Bessie (12), and the following three earned 11 nods apiece: House of Cards, Mad Men, and Transparent. American Crime and Boardwalk Empire nabbed 10 each, and rounding out the top ten is Veep with 9 nods.
With Tatiana in the race, it’s hard to nitpick this year. But I must, because there are plenty of worthy series and actors that got undeservedly snubbed this go-around. Showtime’s The Affair was completely shut out–not only is the drama worthy of most Outstanding, but its main stars Dominic West and Ruth Wilson give gripping performances that whole-heartedly deserve much love. FX’s The Americans also demands to enter the race, but once again it’s only guest star Margo Martindale who earns a seat at the table. The same can be said for Showtime’s Masters of Sex; guest stars and on-screen husband and wife Allison Janney and Beau Bridges were nominated for the guest roles but the show and its stars Martin Sheen and Lizzy Caplan aren’t mentioned. Zilch for A&E’s Bates Motel. Other snubbed actors? Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and the entire cast of The Walking Dead.
The 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards airs live, Sunday, September 20 at 8pm (ET) on Fox. Click here for the full list of nominees.