Check back throughout the day as we include the reactions from the nominees of this year’s Emmy nominations!
Jessica Biel, Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series nominee for The Sinner
“It feels AMAZING! I’m sorry, but what? I feel like I’m on top of the world. I can’t believe it. I just got off a plane, and I’m shocked. I’m in a European city, and it’s very exciting. I feel so valid to be a part of this group of women and doing something I’m really proud of. I feel so honored and humbled by it all. Anybody can ask me how it feels to be nominated, and I will answer it for as long as it’s interesting. I’m honored.
It was a combination of the most cathartic experience I’ve ever had. The most painful and the most relentless emotional output. It was this high of everything that this character has gone through that I haven’t gone through, but I had empathy for her. I felt for her and connected with her. I am honored to bring this person to life.”
John Legend, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Jesus Christ Superstar Live
“I was at the gym when I found out. I was getting lots of calls and texts and my publicist called me. The last time she called me was about something different. I thought, “Why is she calling me at 8.30?” It was very good news. I was really thrilled.
I had a good feeling about the show being nominated and our team being nominated, but honestly was not expecting this nomination. I wasn’t expecting the actor nominations. For that to come in, was a real pleasant surprise.
On being a part of the production:
It was a real thrill for me. It was one of the most favorite things I’ve done. I think knowing the challenge of having so many moving parts and having it all come together in the live experience with no retakes. It was thrilling and fun.
On being one step closer to EGOT”
I never started in this business thinking I’d win an EGOT. I started in this business hoping to win some Grammy’s and make music that people love. It’s not something I planned on or even had set as a goal fifteen years ago when I started in this business.
Over the last year, people have been asking about it and I don’t know what to say other than I’ll be very excited if and when it happens.
The first album came out in 2004 and I was writing songs for that album in 2001. So, you could say it’s been 17 years since the first song was written for that album.”
Penelope Cruz, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series nominee for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
“What a great honor to be nominated alongside this incredible group of women. I am very grateful to the Television Academy, to Ryan Murphy and our amazing cast and crew. Donatella Versace is someone I really respect and admire and stepping into her shoes was a very inspiring adventure for me.”
Sandra Oh, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominee for Killing Eve (Oh also became the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated in this category)
“I feel tremendous gratitude and joy with this nomination. I am thrilled for Phoebe Waller Bridge’s nomination and for the entire cast/crew of ‘Killing Eve.’ I share this moment with my community. PS. I think my mother at this moment may actually be satisfied.”
Elisabeth Moss, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominee for The Handmaid’s Tale
“What a morning! So grateful to the Academy for recognizing my work on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ but I am completely BLOWN AWAY by the 20 nominations the show has received! I’m so proud of my amazingly talented castmates who were recognized – Ann, Alexis, Yvonne, Joe, Samira, Cherry and Kelly – and equally elated for our wonderful crew who work tirelessly to make the show so special. Working on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ has been such a rewarding experience. To have it acknowledged in this way makes it all the more sweet.
Michael Stuhlbarg, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie – The Looming Tower
“Thank you so much to the Television Academy for this honor– I am humbled and grateful to be included among this years nominees, and proud to be representing all of the extraordinary artists who put their love, time, talents, and attention into making The Looming Tower what it is–a chronicle and remembrance of what we all lived through, seen through the eyes of those who experienced those days first hand. All thanks to Lawrence Wright, Alex Gibney, Dan Futterman, and Bash Doran for inviting me to join them in telling this tale, to our entire cast and crew for their devotion, artistry, kindness and camaraderie, and to our producers and Hulu for making it all possible–I am indebted to them all for this–thank you.”
Tiffany Haddish, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for Saturday Night Live
OVERJOYED to be nominated for an #Emmy for when I hosted @nbcsnl!! I might even splurge for a new dress for this one!! Thank you everyone for your love and support! #sheready
— Tiffany Haddish (@TiffanyHaddish) July 12, 2018
Betty Gilpin, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for GLOW
Greetings from a shock and denial paralysis on my living room floor. Thank you to the Television Academy for making me throw my phone across the room as if it was made of lava needles. I am so overwhelmed and grateful to be a part of a show where women are allowed to be their weirdest, loudest, bravest selves. I’ll probably self-sabotage in a bold and creative way before the ceremony, so I hope everyone has a lovely autumn. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What. Is. Happening.”
Rachel Brosnahan, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
On set with the whole Maisel team today. We are super duper stoked. Thank you @TelevisionAcad! https://t.co/GK0ZKqnkDZ
— Rachel Brosnahan (@RachelBros) July 12, 2018
Bill Hader, Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series nominee for Barry and Outstanding Guest in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live
“With Barry, I understood the idea of somebody who wanted to fit in with a group of people. There’s a lot of that show of when I started SNL. I was always hoping that I could fit in with those guys when I started that. So thank you!
It was good to come back and they can attest that I get very worked up and nervous when I do SNL. It was nice to get nominated for all the worrying that I did.”
Claire Foy, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominee for The Crown
“I am so grateful for and honoured by the Emmys continued support for The Crown. I am so proud to have been part of such an extraordinary cast, crew and production team and I share this nomination with them. To be nominated alongside such incredible actresses is a true honour thank you Emmys….see you in September!!!”
Ken Burns & Lynn Novick, Outstanding Direction of a Documentary/Nonfiction Program nominees for The Vietnam War
“We are grateful to the Academy for the nominations, and humbled by the recognition from our peers. America seems like a very different place today from when we started this film nearly eleven years ago. The lessons of the Vietnam War are all the more important as we try to understand the divisions within our country as well as the impact we have on other nations. Creating an 18 hour film like THE VIETNAM WAR requires a huge number of people, including our writer, Geoffrey Ward, who was also nominated today, senior producer Sarah Botstein, the sound mixing and editing teams who were nominated today, composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and the editors, cinematographers and producers here and in Vietnam. We’re greatly appreciative of their work, as we are of the nearly 100 men and women in the U.S. and Vietnam who agreed to share their stories.”
Regina King, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series nominee for Seven Seconds
“It feels amazing to be recognized for “Seven Seconds.” It tells an important story which shines a light on truly relevant societal issues. The subject matter could not be timelier. I am incredibly proud of the work that our cast and crew put in.”
Samantha Bee, Host of Outstanding Variety Talk Series nominee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Just a normal picture of how everyone was all together when we got the news. Thanks @TelevisionAcad!! #emmys pic.twitter.com/RJvOXbzjNA
— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) July 12, 2018
Jeff Daniels, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series nominee for Godless
“My genuine gratitude to the Emmy Voters. GODLESS was Scott Frank’s triumph. Thrilled to be a part of it. Plus I got to ride a horse.”
David Collins, Creator and Executive Producer for Outstanding Structured Reality Program nominee for Queer Eye
“Here at Scout Productions, our hearts are filled with gratitude for this honor the Academy has bestowed on Queer Eye. We are so proud of the show and thankful to everyone who worked on it, especially the Fab Five, a fab crew and our partners Netflix and ITV. We also hope that in these divisive times, in some way, Queer Eye changes the conversation our culture is having, to one of empathy and understanding. Or stated more simply, Yasssss!”
John Paesano, Outstanding Main Title Theme Music nominee for Marvel’s The Defenders
Thrilled! Such an honor, thank you Academy! Words cannot express how grateful and humbled I feel. I am in debt not only to the Television Academy, Marvel, and Netflix, but also to the amazing cast, crew, writers and producers who have created this amazing canvas!”
Jason Bateman, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nominee for Ozark
I couldn’t have asked for a more talented, dedicated and tasteful group of people to work alongside on OZARK. Every person, in every department, has a hand in earning these Emmy nominations and we are so grateful that the Academy, and the public, has found and embraced our show. A big thank you from all of us.”
RuPaul, Outstanding Host for a Reality or a Reality Competition Program nominee for RuPaul’s Drag Race
“Making ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is a labor of love. The fact that members of the Television Academy have recognized that passion by nominating us for 12 Emmy’s is a true honor. It takes a village, people. I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of my partners at VH1 and World of Wonder, our dedicated cast and crew, and most of all, the amazing queens that help us celebrate the heart and soul of drag. Condragulations to our fellow nominees.”
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Outstanding Limited Series nominee for Genius: Picasso
“We are again incredibly grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing the second season of GENIUS, a series all of us at Imagine are immensely proud of. We also want to congratulate Antonio Banderas for being recognized for his unbelievable transformation into Pablo Picasso, his lifelong hometown hero, and a role he was born to play. This is also a celebration for the hundreds of hard working crafts people whose work behind the scenes brought this story to audiences around the world, several of whom you’ve honored this morning as well. We’d like to thank our partners at National Geographic, Fox 21 Television Studios, Madison Wells Media and EUE/Sokolow for their tireless efforts.”
Jonathan Van Ness, Outstanding Short Form Variety Series nominee for Gay of Thrones (also, one of the Fab Five of Netflix’s Queer Eye)
“I’m so, so incredibly grateful to be able to represent the beautiful LGBTQIA community and am just so honored to be recognized for both Queer Eye and Gay of Thrones.”
Bobby Berk, Design expert from Outstanding Structured Reality Program, Queer Eye
That moment your show gets nominated for 4 Emmys!!! What an honor!!! Couldn’t have done it without the people you see here plus all the rest of our family at @netflix, @itv_america, and @scout.productions #emmys #emmy https://t.co/8dCh5JWQ1h pic.twitter.com/m9mm6oUYJJ
— Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) July 12, 2018
Martin Childs, Outstanding Production Design nominee for The Crown
“It’s a delight to be nominated, especially for the episode that had me break open the colour swatch and send the Royal Family somewhere more bohemian. It launched a new era for The Crown, a new direction and it’s great to see it so appreciated.”
Leah Remini, Host of Outstanding Informational Series or Special, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
Thank you to everyone at the Television Academy for this nomination. Thank you to our dedicated team. And an astronomical thank you to our contributors who were brave enough to tell their stories of the vicious and destructive doctrine of the Church of Scientology. To our fellow nominees…we are all motivated, when creating our respective shows, to share stories for the people who felt their stories weren’t shared. From VICE-HBO, StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, David Letterman to Anthony Bourdain we all felt a duty to give light to people from all walks of life. Bourdain once said, “Without… a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.” To Anthony and his team, a huge congrats for your well-deserved nomination, to his fans and those who loved him, we send our heartfelt condolences, and may he Rest In Peace.
Matt Iseman, NBC’s American Ninja Warrior
“Being nominated is a tremendous honor, but three years in a row makes us feel like we really are Ninja Warriors! It’s a testament to the incredible stories we get to share week in and week out, and it’s an honor that we get recognized. And, just like Ninja Warrior, it’s not about winning, it’s about the journey… unless we win, then it’s awesome!”
Ryan Murphy, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series nominee for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
“Of course it’s thrilling to see this series attract so much recognition, and I am forever grateful to Tom Rob Smith for his brilliant take, to my producing partners Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and Brad Falchuk for their collaboration and friendship, and to our talented cast who breathed such humanity into these characters. This was a heartbreaking story to tell, made more so by the fact that we continue as a culture to grapple with homophobia and shame and intolerance.”
Thom Williams, Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series, or Movie nominee for MARVEL’S The Punisher
“I’m so excited and honored to be EMMY nominated for stunt coordination on “Marvel’s The Punisher!” The entire cast and stunt team busted their asses all season to make the action as realistic and exciting as possible. In addition to the stunt team I can’t thank Netflix, Marvel and the whole production team enough for their support!”
Amy Sedaris, Outstanding Variety Sketch Series for At Home with Amy Sedaris
“I’m honored and so thankful to the Television Academy for thinking of us. A big thank you to truTV and the writers, cast and crew for making our show possible. As this is my first Emmy nomination, I feel compelled to ask, does this include a cash prize? I’m asking for a friend.”
Chris Linn, President of TruTV
“Amy is a truly original artist with incredible talent, and it has been a dream to work with her on At Home with Amy Sedaris. With today’s nomination, we’re both immensely proud and absolutely thrilled to see her get the recognition that she thoroughly deserves.”
Britt Baron, Netflix’s GLOW
“Oh my gosh, is this real life?! Thank you to the Television Academy for recognizing ‘GLOW,’ along with our amazingly talented and hilarious fellow nominees. I can’t believe it– this is so incredibly exciting and humbling. A dream come true! Is it too early to pop champagne?”
Kimmy Gatewood, Netflix’s GLOW
“What a thrill for our show and Betty to be nominated! It’s going to be the best-looking Battle Royale the Emmy’s have ever seen! If you hear a high-pitched gaggle of screams for the next 3-6 hours, it’s probably the cast of GLOW calling each other in excitement! Ahhhhh!”
Rebekka Johnson, Netflix’s GLOW
“‘GLOW’ is the best job I have ever had and I am thrilled that the Academy is recognizing the show with a nomination. I’ll be doing celebratory forward rolls all day long!! Hell, I might not stop until the awards ceremony. How cold is an Emmy? Can I use it to ice my sore neck?”
Jane Goodall, Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking for Jane
“”JANE”, the National Geographic’s documentary film directed by Brett Morgan, is an extraordinary achievement. Many films have been made of my life in Gombe in the 60s and 70s – but this is the only one that takes me right back to my young self. As I watch I am once again immersed in the lives of the chimpanzees I knew so well, and the magic of the rainforest. Now, by what seems a marvelous coincidence, this film has received several nominations for the Emmy Awards during this week – which is just about the time that I first arrived in Gombe Stream National Park in 1960! This Saturday, July 14th, 2018, not only celebrates the anniversary of that never to be forgotten day but will be the very first World Chimpanzee Day as well – a day serving as a global call to action to protect our closest living relatives.
Everyone who watches “JANE” cannot fail to understand why chimpanzees helped to break down the non-existent barrier once thought to divide humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. They are just so like us in biology and behavior. And now they and so many other species face extinctions if we don’t act to save them and the habitats where they live. This is the goal of the Jane Goodall Institute. The film “JANE” has already inspired hundreds and thousands of people as it is shown around the world. And as it continues to be shown around the world so ever more people are moved to help us achieve our goal – to ensure that chimpanzees and their forest homes are safe for future generations.”
Mandy Moore, Outstanding Choreography nominee for So You Think You Can Dance
“I am honored to share my nomination with Travis, Chris, Chloe and Al. Congratulations to Chloe and Al for their first nominations and way to go SYTYCD for 4 out of the 5 nominations.”
Travis Wall, Outstanding Choreography nominee for So You Think You Can Dance
“I am beyond grateful to be nominated for an Emmy today. I am so thrilled to be included alongside 3 other inspiring choreographers from the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE team whom I respect and admire. Thank you so much to FOX and the Television Academy for this incredible honor.”
Jon Mete, Outstanding Sound Editing For a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) nominee for Star Trek: Discovery
“Thanks to all me peers in the TV Academy who put in the time to watch shows and vote. The recognition for the work we all do is greatly appreciated. The team on ‘Star Trek’ went above and beyond. There are many many people to thank but I’d be remiss not to give a special shout out to April Nocifora, the producer of ‘Star Trek Disco,’ for her continues support of all of here at Warner Brothers.”
George Haddad, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation nominee for Vice Principals
“So happy for my entire crew after an amazing season working with them and our mixers as our producer Kris Baucom and everyone else at HBO. Looking forward to a fun night with so many of my talented peers and friends.”
Chapman Way and Maclain Way, Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program nominee for Wild, Wild Country
“We’re so thrilled and honored to be nominated by the Television Academy. It’s been a wild, wild ride watching audiences from all over engage with this documentary series. We’re excited to share the recognition with our entire Wild Wild Country team who played a pivotal role in creating the show and look forward to celebrating with the rest of the nominees in September.”
Shawn Levy, Executive Producer of Netflix’s Stranger Things
“It’s a privilege to help bring the Duffers’ unique vision to life and it’s an even more gratifying experience to see our show connect with viewers in the broad and deep way it has. Above all we wanted season 2 to be even better than the first and we’re so grateful for Netflix’s support in aspiring to that. This nomination and the respect of our creative peers that it represents, means the world to us.”
Millie Bobby Brown, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominee for Stranger Things
“12 nominations for our show!! I love this cast and crew so much and I’m beyond thrilled to see how much Stranger Things has been embraced by our peers and The Academy. It’s incredibly special and rewarding. I’m the luckiest girl….””
Ron Cephas Jones, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nominee for This Is Us
“I’m so honored to be part of THIS IS US. This sort of opportunity comes along once in a lifetime. I’m especially grateful to Dan Fogelman and the writers for finding a way to continue to tell William’s story. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing so many of the talented cast and crew from THIS IS US today. I can’t wait to celebrate with them soon!”
Gerald McCraney, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nominee for This Is Us
“I am so honored and humbled to have received a second Emmy nomination for a show that I love dearly. The writing is spot on perfection and working with the actors on the show is a total joy.”
Darren Criss, Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series nominee for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Peter Morgan, Creator and Writer of The Crown
“We’re beyond thrilled to have been honoured with these nominations by the Academy, and especially delighted that Claire, Matt, Vanessa and Matthew have been recognised for their extraordinary performances. We’re all still in mourning after last night’s world cup defeat, but I know this news will go some way to restoring our spirits.”
Adriano Goldman, Outstanding Cinematography nominee for The Crown
“I couldn’t be more thrilled and humbled for this recognition by the Academy for my work on this very special project. I am so proud to be part of such an incredible team. It truly is a joy, especially receiving the news on set while we are already busy shooting Season 3.”
Ben Turner, Outstanding Visual Effects nominee for The Crown
“It’s very exciting to be nominated again, especially alongside our wonderful Crown family. The scale and ambition on this show are parallel to none and we are humbled and honoured that our hard work has been celebrated and recognised by the Academy”
Pamela Adlon, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series nominee for Better Things
“I am completely over the moon and so happy. This recognition from my peers for my life’s work and my show, Better Things. Filled with gratitude. Thank you.”
John Leguizamo, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series nominee for Waco
Thank u @TheEmmys @paramountnet for this nomination! #wacoThemini pic.twitter.com/jhaQUFghFm
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) July 12, 2018
Allen Hughes, Director of The Defiant Ones
“This was such a personal one for me, having literally grown up in the business with these two forces of nature. I’m incredibly grateful to both the television academy and the public for having embraced so fully their journey.”
Eris Baker, Actress on NBC’s This Is Us
“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe this! This has been a dream of mine since I could dream! What an honor! Ahhhhh. (screams) God you blow my mind every day! Thank you!
Yvonne Strahovski, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominee for The Handmaid’s Tale
“I am so excited for everyone in The Handmaid’s Tale who has been recognized and am thrilled to be standing alongside of them. I’m so grateful to Bruce Miller and the writing team for the extraordinary storyline this season and to the academy voters for the recognition.”
Judith Light, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series nominee for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
“My deepest thanks to the Emmy voters and of course, the brilliant Ryan Murphy for the gift of being a part of this culture changing production; thanks to Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobsen, the crew, cast, hair, makeup, wardrobe, Tom Rob Smith for his remarkable script, Gwyneth Horder Payton and Dan Minahan for their glorious direction. My gratitude to all of them and FX is beyond words or measure.”
The Duffer Brothers, Outstanding Direction of a Drama Series nominee for Stranger Things
“We are grateful to the Television Academy for their amazing recognition for STRANGER THINGS. This year’s nominations celebrate incredible shows and we feel honored to be alongside them. We’re so pleased for all of our cast and crew. Millie is a force of nature and a supernatural talent, and we are thrilled that she has been recognized. And David is a genius who has beautifully honed his craft – it’s a true privilege to work with him.Stranger Things is, above all, a massive collaborative effort, so it makes us particularly happy to see so many of our Stranger family recognized by their peers. As we work to finish our new season, nothing could give us a bigger boost.”
Carmen Cuba, Outstanding Casting of a Drama Series nominee for Stranger Things
“Thank you Emmy voters, I am humbled to have been nominated for Stranger Things! And am especially grateful to be included in a year with so many brilliant voices telling important and moving stories highlighting the things that connect us rather than the ones that divide us.”
Michelle Dockery, Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series nominee for Godless
“I am thrilled for the Godless gang – it was an incredible experience working on the show and I am so pleased for Scott Frank and the wonderful team to get this recognition.”