The best in television will be honored tonight with the 68th Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Game of Thrones lead the way with the most nominations (23), followed by the limited series' The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and Fargo, which received 22 nominations and 18 nominations respectively. We'll be updating this story with the Emmy winners throughout the night as they are announced, so keep refreshing for the latest updates.
We have also updated the nominees list with the winners of the Creative Emmy Awards which were handed out this weekend. This year's Drama and Comedy Series nominees include first-timers as well as returning programs to the Emmy competition. black-ish and Master of None are new in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, and Mr. Robot and The Americans in the Outstanding Drama Series competition. Additionally, both Veep and Game of Thrones return to vie for their second Emmy in Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Drama Series respectively.
Some key nominees in the six lead performer categories are either first-time nominees, or familiar names with multiple nominations. For Outstanding Lead Performer for a Drama Series category (actor and actress), newcomers include Rami Malek in Mr. Robot and both Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in The Americans. Similarly, in the Outstanding Lead Performer for a Comedy Series category (actor and actress), names new to the nominations emerged this year such as: Aziz Ansari in Master of None, Thomas Middleditch in Silicon Valley, Ellie Kemper in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Tracee Ellis Ross in black-ish. In addition, previous three-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf (for her supporting role on Roseanne) emerged a multiple-nominee: in the lead comedy category for Getting On, as well as for her comedic guest work in The Big Bang Theory and her dramatic guest work in Horace and Pete.
Contenders for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Limited Series or Movie category (actor and actress), include twice-nominated Sarah Paulson in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (as well as in American Horror Story: Hotel), and first-time nominees Tom Hiddleston in The Night Manager, Courtney B. Vance and Cuba Gooding, Jr. in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and Kirsten Dunst in Fargo.
After fully transitioning to an online voting system last year, the Academy saw a 22 percent increase in participation for this year's nomination round. Emmy Award-winning live television and event producer Don Mischer will executive produce the broadcast hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Take a look at the nominations for all major categories below, and keep refreshing throughout the night with all of the latest winners.