Few things are as exciting in life as landing a major nomination whether it’s for an Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, or Tony Award. It was no surprise then that this year’s Emmy nominations were overjoyed at their recognition. Here are the latest responses from stars such as Kaley Cuoco, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more.
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“I am thrilled to be recognized alongside so many other incredible nominees, including my castmates Paul and Elizabeth. While playing this role I learned how freeing it is to stand in your own power, and gained so much confidence in myself as a performer. I could not be more proud to be a part of this show and its bold storytelling. Thank you to Matt, Kevin, Jac, Mary, Lou, Victoria, and all the crew who made this show possible and made it such a sacred experience – it took a village.”
Kathryn Hahn, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, “WandaVision”
“I’ve never undertaken something quite like our limited series The Underground Railroad but in the process of making it, a lesson I learned as a pupil revealed itself to be viciously true: a director is nothing without their cast, their crew; without the network of hundreds it takes to make a vision like this a dream realized and true. It’s for that reason I want to thank the Television Academy, on behalf of every soul who ever appeared at the bottom or top of any call sheet in our 116 days of shooting, for the recognition of this show alongside the exemplary nominees in the limited series category. It is always “an honor to be nominated.” Today I hope that phrase will serve as a celebration of the wonderful crew that gave this show its fuel and the selfless cast on whose wings it took flight.”
Barry Jenkins, Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “The Underground Railroad”
“I am honored and humbled to have my work once again be recognized by the academy. I stand at the intersection of art and activism, and I am forever grateful for the healing journey that POSE has been for myself, my colleagues and the world!”
Billy Porter, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, “Pose”
“We are so thrilled to be recognized by The Television Academy for ‘Emily in Paris’ and to be included with such fantastic company. Making this show with Netflix, MTV Entertainment Studios, and our extraordinary French crew has been a true joy and on behalf of every person who has worked so hard on this show, we want to thank the Emmy voters for this amazing recognition.”
Darren Star, Outstanding Comedy Series, “Emily in Paris”
“I am THRILLED that ABLSS has been nominated for FIVE Emmys this year! I am so proud of Issa and Yvette on their individual nominations, our editing team of badass women, our Black lady writers’ room and our entire cast and crew for the series nomination! The number of Black women who get to add “Emmy Nominated” before their names is giving me so much joy. We worked incredibly hard at the height of a global pandemic to bring this season to the audience and I was already extremely proud of it, but now I’m simply over the moon! HBO, Jax Media and our producing partners (hello Issa Rae!) are stellar and we can’t wait to come back for an even more epic Season 3!
Robin Thede, Outstanding Variety Sketch Show, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Show, “A Black Lady Sketch Show”
“This is amazing! Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous send-off. It has been such an honor to be a part of this beautiful family for the past three years, and to share this recognition today with Emma, Olivia, Gillian, Helena, Emerald, Tobias, Peter Morgan, and the entire cast and crew of The Crown just means the world.”
Josh O’Connor, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, “The Crown”
“Oh my goodness I am absolutely speechless! Thank you so much for this overwhelming recognition of our show that has meant so much to me. Ted Lasso truly is a family and I could not be more grateful to be a part of it.”
Juno Temple, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”
“I am profoundly honored to be nominated for the score to The Underground Railroad. My deepest thanks to the Television Academy and also to the entire cast and crew of this truly special show. Working with Barry on this score has been one of the most significant artistic experiences of my life, I am eternally grateful to Barry for his trust and partnership.”
Nicholas Britell, Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special, “Underground Railroad”
“Holy f**king s**t. What an incredible honor. Proper dream come true. Every part of this show has felt like magic to me. To have the privilege to work on it, to get to make something with this incredible team and now for us to be nominated as a team is just too lovely. Extra special thanks to Jason and Bill for inviting me to be part of this. What a thing…As a cynical English guy I’m struggling to deal with all this wonderfulness. I’m not crying, you’re crying. F off! You’re crying. You ****.”
Brett Goldstein, Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”
“We are all pinching ourselves that after four series, The Crown is still being embraced and enjoyed in this way. Behind the scenes, this show has an immense, dedicated and incredibly hardworking crew of world-class talent. So, these nominations are gratefully received in recognition of all their outstanding work which continues to inspire me every day.”
Peter Morgan, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, “The Crown”
“I can’t stop saying WOW. I’m so excited to be nominated for an EMMY with all of these amazing actresses. And to be recognized in this category with my sister, Phillipa Soo, has me crying tears of joy! For me, Hamilton is truly a gift that keeps on giving! Thank you, Television Academy, for providing this opportunity to celebrate our work together again. I am so grateful for this tremendous honor!”
Renee Elise Goldsberry, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, “Hamilton”
“I’m absolutely blown away to receive an Emmy nomination. I enjoyed every minute of filming Ratched and I got to work with some of the most generous and exciting actors around. Enormous thanks and gratitude to everyone who made this nomination possible.”
Sophie Okonedo, Guest Actress in a Drama Series, “Ratched”
“Like The Karate Kid before it, Cobra Kai has always been a true underdog story. From our humble YouTube beginnings to our badass Netflix arrival, we have enjoyed being the senseis for this special series. Being nominated for Best Comedy Series is a tremendous moment for the show that is a testament to the sweat equity put in daily by the absolute best cast and crew around. Thank you to Sony and Netflix for supporting our storytelling and giving us the freedom to grow the Miyagiverse. We are thrilled and thankful…. and we think we know karate, so everyone else in the category better watch out!”
Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, Outstanding Comedy Series, “Cobra Kai”
“Getting nominated for an acting Emmy is as thrilling as it is surprising. Not only was this kind of thing never something I was planning or pining for, but also I’m not even the ‘best supporting actor’ on my own show. I am appreciative of, and humbled by, this recognition; but far more appreciative that so many of my castmates have received the same. We’re a team, but maybe we’re a team with a deep bench.”
Brendan Hunt, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”
“I’m extremely grateful and honoured, but I should point out that I was basically carried all the way by my fellow actors – especially Nicole.“
Hugh Grant, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, “The Undoing”
“It Is Absolutely Essential That I See The Queen!” Huge congratulations to my wonderful co-star and mentor Olivia Colman. It’s an unbelievable honour to be nominated in this category alongside you and such other wonderfully talented actors. This nomination only exists because of Josh and all my family on The Crown. Every part of my involvement in telling this story has felt like a dream I don’t want to wake up from – I’m so happy and so honoured by the recognition. Thank you!”
Emma Corrin, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, “The Crown”
“Oh my. Gratitude and surprise are running laps in my heart. A full-throated thank you to the nominating body. Thank you for seeing the light in the dark, and the smile in the tears of this character, Atticus Freeman, he is one of my best friends, and I’m glad you all got to meet him as well. Playing this role has changed my life, and this nomination is yet another growing and changing moment. I’d like to offer a deep congratulations to my fellow nominees, I am honored to be listed amongst these incredible artists, all who in such a time offered humanity and respite to a historically chaotic year. Finally, to my Lovecraft Country family, congratulations to each and every one of you, I thank you for your spirits, hearts, fight, and support. Our journey continues….”
Jonathan Majors, Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, “Lovecraft Country”
“We are thrilled and humbled to be so greatly recognized by The Television Academy for ‘Mare of Easttown’ and to be included among such amazing company. This is such a deeply personal and important story for me and none of this could have ever been possible without our amazing cast and crew. Thank you to HBO and my partners at wiip for their unwavering support and separately I want to congratulate Kate, Jean, Evan, Julianne, and Craig on their much-deserved nominations.”
Brad Ingelsby, Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, “Mare of Easttown”
“Thank you very much to the Television Academy for today’s recognition. Barry Jenkins, you are a visionary storyteller. Thank you for being a collaborator, a leader, and friend. Thank you Colson Whitehead for trusting the team with your visionary book and thank you to Amazon Studios for their commitment to and support of this project. Working on THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD has been a profound experience, and its embrace by the Television Academy today and audiences around the world is an honor I’ll hold close forever.”
James Laxton, Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, “Underground Railroad”
“Thank you to the members of the TV Academy for the six nominations! The past three seasons of The Kominsky Method have been an experience of a lifetime and it’s a great honor to finish out on such a high note. I want to congratulate Michael Douglas, Paul Reiser and Morgan Freeman for their well-deserved acting nominations. Thank you to Netflix, Warner Bros. and everyone on the show that worked so hard to make The Kominsky Method. Congrats to Yuri Reese, Sean Madsen and Brian Wittle for their Sound Mixing nomination and Nikki Valko, Ken Miller and Tara Treacy for their Casting nomination.”
Chuck Lorre, Outstanding Comedy Series, “The Kominsky Method”
“I’m very thankful to the Television Academy for this acknowledgment! Reverberations from Lin-Manuel’s masterpiece continue to surprise and delight those of us that were lucky enough to be in the original company. So grateful for the support the film has received from audiences and the team at Disney+. What a morning!”
Leslie Odom, Jr., Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV movie, “Hamilton”
“On behalf of the Drag Race family, we are beyond grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing the love and passion that we poured into every frame of season 13. We couldn’t do what we do without the unwavering support of ViacomCBS, VH1, and World of Wonder. I have the distinct pleasure of working with the most creative and dedicated cast and crew in television. But the success of Drag Race starts and ends with our amazing queens. It’s their tenacity, creativity, and vulnerability that tells queer kids everywhere that they are loved and worthy of celebration.”
RuPaul, Outstanding Competition Series, Outstanding Host For A Reality or Competition Program
“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized by the Television Academy, especially in such a challenging year, and are so very proud of the amazing work of our cast and crew, and what they were able to accomplish the midst of a pandemic. We could not be more grateful,” Bruce Miller, Outstanding Drama Series, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
“I am in complete shock but feel incredibly humbled and am so grateful for this nomination! I’m tremendously thankful that the show and my amazing cast members were recognized for our work and Misha Green’s fearless storytelling. I feel like I’m living my ancestors’ wildest dreams. It’s such an honor.”
Jurnee Smollett, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, “Lovecraft Country”
“I’m so overwhelmed by this, especially given what it’s for. To be nominated amongst not only peers but friends is a dream come true. More than anything, it feels like a true celebration of the legacy of Aretha Franklin. I thank the Television Academy for honoring the Queen of Soul.”
Cynthia Erivo, Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV movie, “Genius: Aretha”
“For 6 months, in the midst of a global pandemic, Black and Latin and Trans and Queer artists created together. Alongside a luminescent cast, and tireless crew, I, with my magnificent collaborators, told an aspirational story of family, resilience, possibility, and, most importantly, love. I’m thrilled for Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez, who made history this morning as the first Trans actress nominated in the Drama Actress category. And I’m grateful to the TV Academy for recognizing my contribution to the TV landscape with these three incredible nominations for writing, directing, and producing. This boy from the Bronx is forever humbled by the recognition.”
Steven Canals, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, “Pose”
“I can’t quite believe this is happening. I don’t know what feels greater, to be recognized for my own work or all the joy I feel for my magnificent TED LASSO family to be nominated themselves. We are a real family and to share this with them is everything. Thank you to the Television Academy. Rebecca runs through my bloodstream. She is so precious to me, and this is just the icing on the cake.”
Hannah Waddingham, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, “Ted Lasso”