This morning the nominees were announced for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards and several out actors and LGBT-inclusive series received nominations. The Emmys will air live on NBC Monday, August 25 at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.
Trans actress Laverne Cox made history with her nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of inmate Sophia Burset on Orange is the New Black. Hers was one of 12 nominations for the series; other highlights included a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series and a nomination for out actress Jodie Foster for her work as director on the episode "Lesbian Request Denied."
Out actors Matt Bomer, Joe Mantello and Jim Parsons are all nominated in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series for HBO's The Normal Heart, as were their costars Mark Ruffalo and Alfred Molina. The film received 16 nominations including nominations for Larry Kramer in Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special and Ryan Murphy for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special. Both Parsons and Murphy picked up two nominations this year. Their second being Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special, respectively.
Sarah Paulson picked up a nomination in Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story. Jesse Tyler Ferguson is nominated in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, while out Saturday Night Live-cast member Kate McKinnon picked up a nod in Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. McKinnon is also nominated for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for "Home for the Holiday (Twin Bed)."
Jane Lynch scored two nominations; one in Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program for her series Hollywood Game Night and the other as Outstanding Narrator for the documentary Penguins: Waddle All the Way. Tim Gunn also picked up a nomination in Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program.
Nathan Lane is nominated in Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his work as Modern Family's Pepper Saltzman. Out director and President of the Directors Guild of America Paris Barclay picked up a nomination in Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the 100th episode of Glee. Rob Ashford is nominated in Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for his theatrical direction of The Sound of Music Live! NBC special. Travis Wall's So You Think You Can Dance routines "Hanging by a Thread," "Wicked Game," and "Medicine" earned him a nomination in Outstanding Choreography.
Fox's Brooklyn Nine-Nine picked up two nominations, including an Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nod for Andre Braugher who plays out Captain Ray Holt. Beau Bridges is nominated in Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of closeted university provost Barton Scully on Masters of Sex, which is one of five nominations for the series.
TeenNick's Degrassi and Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, which this year featured the network's first same-sex family, are nominated in Outstanding Children's Program. Modern Family joins Orange is the New Black in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, while Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones and House of Cards are nominated in Outstanding Drama Series. FX's Archer picked up a nomination in Outstanding Animated Program and Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley is nominated in Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. The Oscars hosted by Ellen DeGeneres and produced by legendary duo Zadan and Meron and the 67th Annual Tony Awards both picked up nominations in Outstanding Special Class Program.
Undercover Boss, which featured a trans employee on an episode this season, scored a nomination in Outstanding Structured Reality Program. Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York is nominated in Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. LGBT-inclusive series Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef and The Voice are all nominated in Outstanding Reality-Competition Program.
Don't miss the 66th Emmy Awards live on NBC Monday, August 25 at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT.