HBO’s “Watchmen,” a kaleidoscopic portrait of American racial trauma and white supremacy, dominated the list of nominations for the 72nd Emmy Awards, the first major entertainment industry honors to unfold amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The limited series, an ambitious and anguished adaptation of an epochal 1980s graphic novel, leads the pack of contenders with a total of 26 nominations, including recognition for actors Regina King and Jeremy Irons.
Amazon’s fizzy period comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is the second-most nominated series, with 20 nods, followed by Netflix’s downcast crime thriller “Ozark” with 18.
The nominees across the major acting categories were notably diverse, a potential sign that the Television Academy — the organization that puts on the Emmys — was embracing calls for more inclusion and representation in media amid nationwide protests over systemic racism.
“This year, we are also bearing witness to one of the greatest fights for social justice in history. And it is our duty to use this medium for change,” Frank Scherma, the Television Academy chairman and CEO, said in a video message introducing the nominees.
The nominations were announced via livestream by comedian Leslie Jones, who was joined by presenters Laverne Cox (“Orange is the New Black”), Josh Gad (“Frozen”) and Tatiana Maslany (“Perry Mason,” “Orphan Black”). Cox, Gad and Maslany appeared in video chat screens.
The nominees for best drama series are “Better Call Saul,” “The Crown,” “Killing Eve,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Mandalorian,” “Ozark,” “Stranger Things” and “Succession.” (“Watchmen” is considered a limited series because its storyline wrapped up after nine episodes.)
The nominees for best comedy series are “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Dead to Me,” “The Good Place,” “Insecure,” “The Kominsky Method,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”
The virtual Emmy Awards, hosted by late-night emcee Jimmy Kimmel, will be presented Sept. 20 on ABC.
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