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Emmy Nominees React to Their 2019 Nominations

See who is getting ready for their big night!

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Megan Vick

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards are still a couple months away, but Tuesday morning revealed who you can expect to see on TV's biggest night as the nominations were announced by Ken Jeong and D'Arcy Carden. As predicted, the evening will be a star-studded affair, with the casts of Game of Thrones, Barry, and more attending the festivities -- but now we know who else will be a nervous wreck waiting to see if they've won that coveted golden statuette.

Among those vying for awards are repeat nominees like Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, and Milo Ventimiglia for This Is Us, along with comedic heavyweights Anthony Anderson (black-ish) and The Good Place's Ted Danson. Fan favorites like Fleabag and Schitt's Creekalso received recognition for their incredible body of work. However, the biggest winner of the day was Game of Thrones, which broke the record for most nominations for a single season with 32, despite a controversial Season 8.

Of course, the nerves haven't kicked in yet and those who were talented and lucky enough to land a nod are still basking in the glow of recognition.

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How did they react when they found out they were nominated? Check out reactions from some of the 2019 Emmy Award nominees below.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, When They See Us (Netflix)
Aunjanue Ellis: "This nomination is a tribute to Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam. Let's all say their names. Yusef's mother, Sharonne Salaam, is nothing less than a warrior for her son and a survivor of an emotional violence few of us will ever understand. I am utterly grateful to her. Thank you to the visionary Ava DuVernay and Netflix for giving me the blessing to be a part of this act of restorative justice."

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, When They See Us (Netflix)
John Leguizamo: "This nomination is not for me, but for the parents of the innocent children who have been put through the unimaginable -- just because their vulnerable children were unjustly accused of a crime by racial profiling, and how almost impossible it was to clear themselves."

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
Alan Arkin:
"Wow, I am 85 years old, so this comes in just the nick of time."

Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Pose (FX)
Billy Porter:
"The Category Is: Speechless! I'm so grateful to have lived long enough to see this day. POSE speaks a truth that has the power to transform hearts and minds. I'm honored and humbled to be counted in the number"

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, GLOW (Netflix)
Betty Gilpin:
"Having spent 32 years basing my personality on fear and sarcasm, the unbridled Shirley-Temple-on-crack joy I feel today is a massive inconvenience for me. I'm so grateful to the Television Academy for this honor, and to Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch for making dreams I didn't even know I had come true. I am a humbled, teary mess, and also thank you Mom."

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Gwendoline Christie:
"Playing Brienne of Tarth has truly been an honor and I am beyond grateful for this nomination. This character has changed my life and redefined the way I look at the world, women and particularly myself. Thank you to George R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, HBO and our incredible cast and crew. Lastly, apologies to my taxi driver who endured my screams, sobs and pure joy when getting this incredible news!"

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Better Call Saul (AMC)
Bob Odenkirk:
"I am thrilled to get this recognition! Thank you to the Academy and to everyone who watched our fourth season. I am so proud to be in this wonderfully written and perfectly executed show!"

Outstanding Comedy Series, Barry (HBO)
Bill Hader:
"We are over the moon. Very honored to be recognized and so happy for everyone on Barry who was nominated."

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Ozark (Netflix)
Laura Linney:
"I am thrilled that I somehow ended up in this group of kick ass women, who all raise the bar over and over again. I am also especially happy for my Ozark family, Julia, and that Bateman guy."

Outstanding Variety or Talk Series, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Samantha Bee: "
It's such an honor to be nominated with so many of my friends -- I am truly grateful to the Academy for recognizing the hard work of my entire staff. It is always a group effort and any day I can order celebratory cake to be delivered to the office is a good day. See you in LA!"

Outstanding Interactive Program, Conan (TBS)
Conan O'Brien:
"I have an excellent staff and I'm very happy to see them recognized with 3 Emmy Nominations. Next stop: the Latin Grammys."

Outstanding Variety and Sketch Series, At Home with Amy Sedaris (TruTV)
Amy Sedaris:
"It's always nice to be invited to a party! Thanks so much to the Television Academy for nominating us again and everyone at truTV, the writers, cast and crew for making our show possible. I must admit this year's Emmy nomination is slightly bittersweet - I had my eye on hosting."

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, A Very English Scandal (Amazon)
Hugh Grant:
"I'm very touched and grateful to the Academy. Also to Stephen Frears for luring me back to TV. (And to showbiz, frankly.) Also to my wife for enduring the hair-do for four months."

Outstanding Animation Program, BoJack Horseman (Netflix)
Raphael Bob-Waksberg (Showrunner):
"What an honor! It has always been my dream to have my quote included in a roundup of Emmy nominee reactions in an entertainment industry press outlet such as this one!"

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, When They See Us (Netflix)
Vera Farmiga:
"Astonished by the surprising Emmy pat on my back, humbled. My heart is bursting with pride for all my When They See Us brothers and sisters and their noms. I pray that Kevin, Antron, Raymond, Korey and Yusef continue to absorb healing from this sweeping acknowledgment. Thank you to the Television Academy."

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Game of Thrones (HBO) Alfie Allen: "The truth is, I'm at a loss for words! Thank you to the Academy for recognizing me alongside such formidable actors. To my friends: Kit, Peter, Gwen, Lena, Emilia, Nikolaj, Maisie, Carice, and especially Sophie whom I was in the trenches with for so much of this journey - I am honoured to share this with you. Dave, Dan, our amazing HBO team - for 10 years you pushed me to my limits. Many moments I questioned why - but now I realize that it was because you believed in me. And finally, to our truly amazing fans, thank you for sticking with me, for sticking with us, through it all. I am forever grateful for your support!"

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, When They See Us (Netflix)
Niecy Nash: "I am beyond thrilled to have received recognition from the TV Academy and my peers for this Emmy nomination! I'm ecstatic that our cast and crew of When They See Us has had an effect on the hearts and minds of viewers and received 16 nominations! My sincere hope is that the mini-series will continue to shine a light on the Exonerated Five and the injustice they've experienced."

Outstanding Comedy Series, Schitt's Creek (Pop TV)
Co-Creator Dan Levy:

Outstanding Comedy Series, Russian Doll (Netflix)
Co-Creator Leslye Headland:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Russian Doll (Netflix)
Natasha Lyonne:

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, Who Is America? (Showtime)
Creator Sacha Baron Cohen:


Outstanding Limited Series, When They See Us (Netflix)
Creator Ava DuVernay:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Dead to Me (Netflix)
Christina Applegate:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series, The Act (Hulu)
Joey King:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series, Escape at Dannemora (Showtime)
Patricia Arquette:

Outstanding Reality Competition Series, Nailed It! (Netflix)
Nicole Byer:

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, This Is Us (NBC)
Sterling K. Brown:

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, The Twilight Zone (CBS All Access)
Kumail Nanjiani:

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Maisie Williams:

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, Better Call Saul (AMC)
Michael McKean:

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Laverne Cox:

Outstanding Variety or Sketch Special (Pre-Recorded), Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (Netflix), Hannah Gadsby: "I am so grateful for the Television Academy's warm embrace* of Nanette. (*entirely consensual, to be sure) What an honor to be nominated."

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, When They See Us (Netflix)
Marsha Stephanie Blake:"I fell in love with this cast and crew immediately and felt an even deeper bond after seeing the final product. Being able to work alongside Ava, Michael K. Williams and the rest of this stunning cast was enough. Anything beyond that is not just the icing on the cake, it's the party, the presents, the gift bag and the centerpiece at the main table. Thank you to the Television Academy for this centerpiece... my first Emmy nomination! I am beyond honored and humbled to have been a part of such an important story."

Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, Somebody Feed Phil ( Netflix)
Phil Rosenthal, Host and Executive Producer: "I'm thrilled for our team who work so hard trying to make me look sexy. The best thing about this is that hopefully I get to keep working with my friends, my family, meeting new families around the world, and eating all their food."

Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series, Our Planet (Netflix)
Producers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey:
"What an honor to be nominated by the Academy! For all us on the team at Silverback Films and all of the creatures of Our Planet, this is a wonderful moment. We hope this series serves as a reminder that we can keep living on this planet, but we must act now. To quote David Attenborough, 'What we do in the next 20 years will determine the future for all life on Earth."

Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series, Chef's Table (Netflix)
Executive Producer David Gelb:
"It's a huge honor to be nominated amongst such great company, and we are thrilled to see "Chef's Table" continue to receive recognition as the show has evolved over the years. We are beyond grateful - to Netflix for believing in us, and to our chefs for sharing their lives with us and the world."

Outstanding Television Movie, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (Netflix)
Creators
Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones: "We're honoured and delighted on behalf of everyone who worked on Bandersnatch (and our selfish selves) to have received this nomination, alongside such formidable company."

Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Bodyguard (Netflix)
Executive Producer Jed Mercurio: "Everyone involved in Bodyguard is honored by the nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award as Outstanding Drama Series. Personally, I'm delighted and honored to be nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. We want to thank the BBC and Netflix for their constant support and pay tribute to our fans for their amazing response to the show."

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
Michael Douglas:
"My deepest gratitude to my fellow Academy members for a nomination amongst so many talented actors this year. For Chuck Lorre's great writing and Alan Arkin and our excellent ensemble cast. I am blessed."

Outstanding Limited Series or Movie, Escape at Danemora (Showtime), Ben Stiller: "Thank you to the Television Academy for recognizing Escape at Dannemora with these incredible nominations. We had so many dedicated artists giving their all on the series, both in front of and behind the camera--so to be celebrated this morning in this way is truly gratifying. Thank you to Showtime for being such incredible partners on this journey, and to the people of the North Country and Clinton Correctional, who helped invariably in bringing this story to life."

Outstanding Variety or Sketch Special (Pre-Recorded), Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (Netflix), Wanda Sykes: "When I found out that I got two Emmy nominations, I was with my family on a packed train in France for three hours and the AC was not working. This by far was the coolest news I've ever received. Thank you Netflix, the TV Academy, Push It Productions, and to everyone who voted. And you will be hearing more about this train ride in my next special."

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Veep (HBO) Tony Hale:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, This Is Us (NBC), Mandy Moore:


The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards air Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Fox.