The 65th Primetime Emmy nominations were announced this morning, with at least eight different out performers receiving nominations, as well as a number of LGBT-inclusive programs and films. Among this year's first-time nominees are Dan Bucatinsky, Zachary Quinto, HBO's Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra, and the Chely Wright documentary Wish Me Away.
It was a great year for out performers receiving nominations, several of which were also for playing gay or lesbian roles. Jesse Tyler Ferguson is once again nominated for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family, as is Jane Lynch for her role on Glee, and Jim Parsons for his role on The Big Bang Theory. American Horror Story actors Zachary Quinto and Sarah Paulson both picked up supporting nominations in the miniseries category. Dan Bucatinsky was nominated for his guest role on Scandal, while Dot Marie Jones was nominated for her appearance on Glee. Meanwhile Nathan Lane became a double nominee for his guest appearances on The Good Wife and as Pepper Saltzman on Modern Family.
Netflix is making headlines for the nine nominations it scored for the original drama series House of Cards, in which Kevin Spacey stars as a scheming congressman whose past includes a college relationship with a man. Other inclusive shows that received Outstanding Series nominations include Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, and Modern Family.
In the miniseries or movie category, HBO's Behind the Candelabra received a nomination, as did its stars Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, and Scott Bakula. American Horror Story and Political Animals were also best miniseries nominees.
In the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program category, every nominee – The Amazing Race, Dancing With the Stars, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef, and The Voice– featured either out contestants or judges this year. And though it's not part of the official Primetime Emmy competition, the Chely Wright documentary Wish Me Away was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy Award two days ago.
The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards will be telecast live on CBS Sunday, September 22nd at 8pm eastern time/ 5pm pacific.
