FX Networks today received 56 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, setting a basic cable record for the highest total nominations in a single year by surpassing the previous record of 45 Emmy nominations set by FX Networks in 2014. In all, FX Networks received the second-highest total number of nominations of any network. This historic achievement was led by The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Fargo, which with 22 and 18 nominations respectively received the second and third highest total number of nominations of any series.
In the program categories, both The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Fargo were nominated for Outstanding Limited Series, while The Americans received its first-ever nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, and Archer was nominated for the third consecutive time for Outstanding Animated Program.
“Obviously this is a great day for FX Networks and the 56 nominations are a testament to the incredibly talented artists who make our shows,” said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions. “The People v. O.J. Simpson and Fargo excelled on every level and their dominance among limited series reflects the skill and artistry of their entire creative teams. It is also very gratifying to see Joe Weisberg, Joel Fields, Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Margo Martindale and everyone at The Americans recognized for their achievement, as well as the nominations for Archer and the amazing Louie Anderson of Baskets. I’d also like to congratulate our competitors on their successes and to express appreciation to the TV Academy and its voters for celebrating the full breadth of television’s current diversity and ambition. This is an extraordinary time to be working in television.”
In all, six FX series received Emmy recognition in 28 categories, including five of the six nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie; all five nominees for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For a Limited Series or Movie; and four of the six nominees for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
Leading the way for FX was The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which scored 22 nominations, the most of any limited series. Major nominations are Outstanding Limited Series, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Courtney B. Vance for lead actor in a limited series; Sarah Paulson for lead actress in a limited series; Sterling K. Brown, David Schwimmer and John Travolta for supporting actor in a limited series; Ryan Murphy, Anthony Hemingway and John Singleton for directing a limited series; Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, D.V. DeVincentis and Joe Robert Cole for writing; as well as nominations in the limited series category for cinematography, casting, costumes, single-camera picture editing, hairstyling, makeup, sound mixing and short form nonfiction or reality series.
Fargo, whose first installment received 18 Emmy nominations and won for Oustanding Miniseries, scored another 18 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series and nominations in the limited series category for Kirsten Dunst for lead actress; Jesse Plemons and Bokeem Woodbine for supporting actor; Jean Smart for supporting actress; series creator Noah Hawley for writing and directing; Bob DeLaurentis for writing; as well as nominations for production design, casting, cinematography, single-camera picture editing, hairstyling, makeup, music composition, sound editing and sound mixing.
American Horror Story: Hotel received eight nominations, with both Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates receiving nominations for supporting actress in a limited series; as well as nominations in the limited series category for production design, costumes, hairstyling, makeup, prosthetic makeup and sound editing.
The Americans received its first-ever nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as first-ever lead actor nominations for Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. Margo Martindale was nominated for the second consecutive year for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (she won in 2015), and showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields were nominated for writing for a drama series.
Archer was nominated for the third consecutive year for Outstanding Animated Program.
Louie Anderson, in a performance that was universally praised by critics everywhere, received an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy series for Baskets.
