Colman, Comer and Normal People star win Emmy nominations

The Crown’s Olivia Colman, Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer and Normal People’s Paul Mescal have scored Emmy Award nominations following a strong showing by British TV.

The nominations ceremony for the biggest night in US television was held virtually yesterday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leading ladies Colman and Comer were joined by other British talent including Brian Cox, Jeremy Irons, Matthew Macfadyen, Helena Bonham Carter and Thandie Newton in scoring nominations. Oscar-winner Colman saw her portrayal of the Queen in Netflix’s The Crown recognised in the category of best drama actress. She will be up against her fellow British star – and last year’s winner – Comer, who is once again nominated for her role as assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve.

They both face stellar competition as Jennifer Aniston is nominated for her role in Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, Laura Linney is up for Ozark and Comer’s Killing Eve co-star Sandra Oh also grabbed a nod.

Paul Mescal stars alongside Daisy Edgar Jones in Normal People. Picture: Enda Bowe

Hollywood rising star Zendaya was a surprise inclusion for her part in HBO’s Euphoria.

Normal People’s Mescal scored his nomination for lead actor in a limited series or movie in recognition of his portrayal of Connell. However, the acclaimed BBC show was snubbed in the limited series category and his co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones also missed out.

Mescal faces A-list competition in the form of Hugh Jackman (Bad Education), Mark Ruffalo (I Know This Much is True) and Irons (Watchmen).

In the lead drama actor category, Scotsman Cox, 74, was nominated for his acclaimed portrayal of media magnate Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession.

Bonham Carter was nominated in the supporting category for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in series three of The Crown, alongside Newton for Westworld.

Irish actress Fiona Shaw was nominated for her role in Killing Eve, while Hollywood stars Laura Dern and Meryl Streep also feature in that category.

Macfadyen earned a supporting actor nod for Succession, alongside his co-stars Nicholas Braun and Kieran Culkin. Outstanding drama series, considered by many the biggest award on the night, was won 12 months ago by HBO’s sprawling fantasy show Game Of Thrones, which finished its record-setting run last year.

This year, the nominees are The Crown, Better Call Saul, The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, The Mandalorian, Ozark, Stranger Things and Succession.

The prize for best comedy series is also wide open after last year’s winner, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, finished its two-season run in 2019.

Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards on 20 September.