Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to get Emmy

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is to be given a special Emmy Award. Picture: ITV

The Academy will present the 2015 International Emmy Founders Award to writer and creator Julian Fellowes.

The award is given to individuals whose creative accomplishments have contributed in some way to the quality of global television production. The very first International Emmy Founders Award was given in 1980 to the late Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets.

Britain is leading the International Emmys nominations list, competing for seven accolades at the black-tie ceremony on November 23 in New York City.

The UK nominations include Sheridan Smith, who is up for a best actress International Emmy for ITV drama Cilla.

The 34-year-old portrayed the late singer and entertainer Cilla Black and has already won a number of awards for the part, including best actress at the TV Choice Awards and best drama performance at the National TV Awards.

Rafe Spall has received an International Emmy nomination as best actor for Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror White Christmas, broadcast on Channel 4 in December 2014.

In the Christmas special, he starred alongside Jon Hamm and Oona Chaplin.

The rest of the British nominees are: Common (TV movie/mini-series), 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy (non-scripted entertainment), My Mad Fat Diary (drama) Growing Up Down’s (documentary) and Messiah at the Foundling Hospital (arts programming).

Countries ranging from the US to Brazil, France, Japan, South Korea and Angola have been recognised by the Academy for their 2015 television programming.

A total of 40 nominees from 19 countries will be competing in 10 categories for International Emmys, established to honour excellence in TV programming outside the US.

Bruce L. Paisner, president and chief executive of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said: “Every year, the international television community competes to be recognised for excellence on the International Emmy’s global stage. We congratulate the 2015 nominees for their outstanding programmes and performances.”