Limited Series or Movie, Lead Actress

THE action-packed sixth season of Game of Thrones has topped this year’s Emmy Award nominations.

But the occasionally stodgy Emmys, which sometimes latch onto winners and stay with them, was also infused by new blood. Once again, it was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, an award which it won past year.

Gooding and Vance will compete with Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson in “All The Way”, Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (Masterpiece)”, Idris Elba in “Luther” and Tom Hiddleston in “The Night Manager“.

FX is the network behind “American Crime Story” (not the TV show “American Crime”, which airs on ABC – yes, it’s confusing).

The nominations were announced by Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham and Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson, who whooped and cheered as he read out his own nomination in the best comedy lead category, one of several the show received.

Viola Davis, who also made history in 2015 by becoming the first black woman to win the best lead actress prize, has once again been nominated for her role in “How To Get Away With Murder”.

In addition to acting nominations, “Game of Thrones” also received Emmy nods for directing, writing, cinematography, costumes, visual effects, production design, stunts, editing, hairstyling, make-up and casting. FX follows with 56 bids, Netflix with 54, NBC with 41 and ABC with 35.

The other nominations of this fairytale show included best supporting actress and actor Maisie Williams, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headley, Kit Harington, Peter Dinkage (Who also won it past year too) and the writers, DB Weiss and David Benioff also got the nod. “About damn time, I say”.

Overall, it was a subdued final Emmy hurrah for The Good Wife with four nominations – tied for the fewest ever – and no best drama series nom or no mention for star Margulies, a two-time Emmy victor for her role on the CBS series. “I owe my performance whatever it is to him”.

The 2016 Emmy Award nominees will take place on Sunday 18 September at the Microsoft Theater.

Meanwhile, the nominees for Outstanding Comedy are ABC’s “Black-ish” and “Modern Family”, Netflix’s “Master of None” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, HBO’s “Silicon Valley” and Amazon’s “Transparent”.