2018 Emmy Nominations: ‘Game of Thrones’ Rules With 22 Nods and Netflix Is Most Nominated Network

Sandra Miska

After 17 years of dominating the Emmys, HBO has been bumped to second place in 2018. Netflix, the streaming network that has only been producing original series for five years, leads the pack this year for most nominations, 112 to HBO’s 108. However, it is an HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” that earned the most nominations, 22. Netflixs nominations were more spread out amongst their various shows, with “The Crown” being the favorite with 13 nods. Other top contenders for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards are “Saturday Night Live” and “Westworld,” with 21 nominations a piece, and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with 20 nods. The ceremony will take place Sept. 17 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles with hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che.

Last year was also a big year for streaming, with “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a Hulu favorite, being the first series from a digital platform to take Outstanding Drama Series. But with “Game of Thrones” returning to the competition after taking a year off, it remains to be seen if the Television Academy will return the title to the fantasy series, or if the timely dystopian drama will be able to hold on to it. The remaining five Best Drama nominees — “The Americans,” “The Crown,” “Stranger Things,” “This Is Us” and “Westworld” — are also repeat nominees. While critically acclaimed BBC America drama “Killing Eve” was shut out of the top category, it’s star, Sandra Oh, is the first Asian actress to be nominated for Lead Actress in a drama series.

More fresh blood was injected into the comedy categories this year. Perennial favorite “Modern Family” was completely shut out this year, while last year’s Outstanding Comedy Series winner, “Veep,” is not eligible. With a total of eight slots in this category in 2018, as opposed to last year’s six, these exclusions make room for new series “Barry,” “GLOW” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” as well as returning favorite “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The other four – “Atlanta,” “Black-ish,” “Silicon Valley” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” – vy for the Emmy for the second year in a row. Surprises in the acting category include a much-deserved Best Actress nod for “Insecure” star and creator Issa Rae, as well as a long overdue Best Supporting Actor nomination for Kenan Thompson for his record-breaking 15th season on “Saturday Night Live.”

For Best Limited Series, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” seems to be the top contender, which comes as no shock, as executive producer Ryan Murphy has had his hand in a series in this category every year since 2012. Also favored is “Godless,” the gritty Netflix western. Rounding out the category are “The Alienist,” “Genius: Picasso” and “Patrick Melrose.” It’s also no surprise that HBO dominates the category of Outstanding Television Movie with three films, “Fahrenheit 451,” “Paterno” and “The Tale,” which will go up against Netflix’s “Black Mirror: USS Callister” and Lifetime’s “Flint.”

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Sept. 17 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and air live on NBC.