Emmys 2020: Tony Shalhoub, D’Arcy Carden & More Stars React to Their Nominations
The 2020 Emmy nominations were announced Tuesday, and we’re hearing from those who were honored.
Netflix had the most with 160, while HBO was second with 107. As for the shows with the most nods, Watchmen had 26, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel received 20, and Ozark and Succession each got 18.
The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air Sunday, September 20 at 8/7c on ABC, with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel as host.
Check out some of the reactions below, and stay tuned as we continue to add more as we hear from the nominees:
Dylan McDermott, Hollywood, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series (to TV Insider)
“I was stumped, shocked, flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe it. I’m still on a high right now. … I couldn’t be more thrilled, especially for this show, working with Ryan [Murphy] and this cast, and Netflix. It was a dream come true. At the end of the day, it’s Ryan Murphy. He put me in this role, he trusted me, and I just ran with it. Ernie was one of the highlights of my entire career. …
This is even sweeter [than The Practice nomination]. When you’re younger, you think that things happen all the time and they don’t, and obviously it’s taken me 22 years to get back here, so this time I feel even more grateful than I did back then. … [Hollywood is] such a departure for me. The good news about being an actor is people get to know you and the bad news is people get to know you. … For a long time, I had to fight being that guy from The Practice. … With Hollywood, I changed people’s minds.”
Giancarlo Esposito, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Better Call Saul and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for The Mandalorian (to TV Insider)
“I couldn’t be more excited and emotional. I’m blown away. I’ve been nominated a few other times, which has been really wonderful. … I’m just really, really honored and in gratitude for getting both of these nominations for these two great shows. It’s really fabulous. … I’m so honored to be picked out of [the Better Call Saul actors] to represent this show.
… I’ve been crying for 30 minutes, only because of that deep love and respect that comes from this kind of nomination. It allows me to know I’m valuable, I know who I am as a person, but once I put on those clothes and I become an actor, there’s always that question. Am I making the right decision? Am I showing all of the elements of the character that were written? How do I bring extra to that?”
Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
“I choked on some bacon and then went from there. Unfortunately, all the clichés are ringing true in that it feels very surreal and it’s such an honor. I’m so proud of everybody, just being nominated not just in acting but from hair and makeup to writing to directing to costumes, all of these people who I’ve grown to love so much over six years are being recognized for their amazing talent.
… This is a perfect way to finish the show. It’s way more than the icing on the cake. I really don’t think anyone could have hoped for anything better than this. … I just had so much fun playing a fully fleshed out, fun, quirky character, and I’m really going to miss it a lot.”
D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
“[Initially there was] shock and happiness, just the usual. Not expecting it. … It just feels so nice that it’s our last year and to get recognized in this way, it’s so sweet. We’re just having a love fest on the phone. Everybody’s really touched. Good news right now is hard to come by.
… I am so, so proud to have been a part of this show. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. It’s a show that I love with people I love. I’m a fan of the show. It was a beautiful, funny show that meant something and said something. I just feel so lucky.”
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
“I just got on the right bus this year and was swept along. It’s always great to have the show recognized, and I feel like I’m in a category with incredible actors, especially the fact that the show got 20 nominations. … My character went through a big change this season, so it was uncharted waters for him and that worked in the minds of the viewers, the nominators. It’s always surprising when you’re nominated, always. There’s so much great product out there, on the streaming platforms, cable channels, premium channels, networks. It’s just kind of overwhelming.”
Matthew Macfadyen, Succession, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (to TV Insider)
“It’s a very nice feeling, and it’s lovely that the show’s been nominated in so many different categories and so many us. That’s really gratifying across the board. …I can’t get my head around [the 18 nominations]. It’s wonderful.”
Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
“What’s complicated is right now everything is a little delicate and tumultuous and filled with fear. I didn’t really let myself think about [the Emmy nomination], so when my agent texted me this morning, ‘Congratulations,’ there was an actual true moment where I thought, ‘I don’t know what he means,’ and then I asked, ‘Is this about Emmys?’ and he said yes. I was so overjoyed, and today was the day [my family and I] were seeing one another, and so everybody embarked on the house, in social distance form, at the exact same time as this news came in, so it felt like such a blessing that I was able to spend time with my parents, who I hadn’t seen in ages and also celebrate the honor of having the show be noticed. It’s a little bit of a perfect day. I couldn’t ask for something more beautiful.
[All the nominations] are really credit to [Amy and Dan] and our fearless leader Rachel Brosnahan, who is exquisite and Alex too and Tony, and you go down the list. … I’m just so glad everybody was being honored.”
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, executive producers of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, 20 Nominations, Including Outstanding Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
Amy: “Just very busy picking out which pair of sweatpants we’re going to wear to the ceremony.”
Dan: “We always have a couple of specific things that we’re specifically rooting for every year that we’ve done this. It’s still new to us because we weren’t in the award world before Maisel, so getting it for the Original Song was gratifying. Having Wanda Sykes come on …was a delicate task. There’s certain ones like that that would break our hearts if we didn’t get it, and our hearts weren’t broken this year, so we’re happy.”
Amy: “Rachel Brosnahan does some work this year that I feel is so above and beyond anything she’s ever done before. She just reaches new levels every time we work with this girl. She’s other-worldly, and I know she’s won before, but there’s something about her performance this year that was especially for us, deeply heartfelt.”
Luke Kirby, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (to TV Insider)
“I’m still kind of processing it, honestly. This was a welcome surprise. It made for a very happy Tuesday. … The episode that we worked on in Miami I’m very fond of for so many reasons, mainly because the show is so formidable and Amy and Dan and everyone on the crew is so good at raising the bar. I have a certain affection for this episode because of the story it tells between Midge and Lenny, and working with Rachel just provides me with such joy because when she’s around and we’re working together, it feels like a dance.”
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (to TV Insider)
“I’m still truly stunned and beyond thrilled and incredibly grateful simultaneously. It’s huge [to be nominated for the series finale]. It has been a truly extraordinary journey and I have been working with the most amazing creative team. … The sequence where [Saul] has to believe [Carrie will kill him], working with these two extraordinary actors [Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin] was like working with the dream team, and that was an extraordinary experience. … It’s a bittersweet goodbye [with this nomination].”
Sterling K. Brown, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for This Is Us and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
2 Good to be True! Thank you to the @TelevisionAcad for a great start to my day! 😊 Blessed to still be representing my #ThisIsUs fam (Love you all!) & overjoyed to be recognized for the immense fun I had with @AlexBorstein & @RachelBros on #MrsMaisel Stay safe. Stay sane. #BLM✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/kmWkNGhn9U
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) July 28, 2020
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
“I’m grateful for the continued love for all corners of our Maisel family. I wish so much that we could be together to celebrate today but this (and some zoom cocktails) will certainly hold us over until we can get the band back together. The company we get to keep across these categories is insane. Thank you to the TV Academy!”
Don Cheadle, Black Monday, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
“Given that it’s been announced on a Tuesday, I hereby regretfully decline my nomination for ‘Black Monday.’ I am a dayist. Been one for many years. My principles are my bedrock and sacrosanct.”
Dan and Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek, 15 Nominations, Including Outstanding Comedy Series and Supporting and Lead Actor, respectively
“This morning has been the most incredible surprise. We are overwhelmed and filled with gratitude for this recognition. Unfathomably proud of our little show.”
Paul Mescal, Normal People, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
“I am so utterly honoured to have been included in the nominations list today alongside such immense actors I have admired from afar. Normal People was created by a huge cast and crew who deserve so much recognition for their incredible work. Most importantly I want to thank my amazing friend and brilliant co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones as the show would not have got the extraordinary response without her electric performance.”
Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Thank you!!! I am very honored to be in the company of such gifted women, who have helped us all get through this screen centered moment in time!”
William Jackson Harper, The Good Place, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
WHAT. pic.twitter.com/mSnzUayZtQ
— William Jackson Harper (@dubjackharper) July 28, 2020
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and Outstanding Limited Series or Movie (and American Son, Outstanding Television Movie and Live in Front of a Studio Audience, Outstanding Variety Special)
“To be recognized in this way this morning is such an honor – but to be able to share it with my partner Pilar Savone and our Simpson Street family makes it even more meaningful. The exepreinces we’ve been able to have this year were beyond our wildest dreams: working with the legendary Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel to bring iconic shows from the 70s to new audiences with Live In Front of a Studio Audience, to adapting AMERICAN SON, a Broadway play about Black lives and police violence to Netflix, to bringing Celeste Ng’s beautiful novel Little Fires Everywhere to life with my incredible friends Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter and Liz Tigelar.
But the tears came this morning when I heard about Lynn Shelton’s nomination for Little Fires Everywhere. I’m so incredibly grateful that the Television Academy has chosen to honor Lynn with this very deserved nomination. I know she’s celebrating in the beyond.”
Lynn Shelton’s parents, Wendy Roedell and David “Mac” Shelton, for her posthumous nomination: Little Fires Everywhere, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special
“That Lynn is honored by the Television Academy is not only a tribute to her accomplishments as a director but her style of directing. Always in control but kind-hearted. Making the final decisions but always soliciting input from her colleagues. Colleagues, yes, that is how she regarded everyone on the set, from grips and gaffers and set and costume designers to the director of photography and the actors. This is an honor for the ultimate collaborationist who knew that she would produce her best if she teased the best out of her teammates.”
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
“I was in the middle of a weekly zoom cooking class with people from all over the globe, including my father who doesn’t actually cook anything, he just gets a kick out of watching his daughter and granddaughter make a mess in the kitchen. We were making a cheesecake, which requires the exact weight of a toddler in cream cheese , in case you were wondering. Right as we were crushing cookies to make the crust, my father let out a yelp. Thought maybe he’d accidentally sat upon his sack, but no, it was a Google Alert! Glowing, he proudly announced that I’d been nominated for an Emmy. While I am delighted and thrilled to be nominated (and in such good company) I must admit that the greatest part about it is seeing my 85-year old father, weary from Covid-captivity, smiling and happy and hopeful. Thank you to everyone who nominated me, it’s the only gift I could give my parents that they won’t return.”
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
“I’m humbled by the nominations for both me and the film and excited to be named with such a talented group of actors. My immense appreciation goes out to all those who believed in Bad Education – especially the hardworking team at HBO.”
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
“This one strikes differently. It’s been a rough year for all of us. This honor is about more than acknowledgement. It’s about motivation to be my most authentic self so I can create authentic work. This news has lifted me in ways I did not anticipate! Much love and gratitude to the Academy and my Kimmy family.”
Billy Crudup, The Morning Show, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
“I am incredibly proud and grateful to collaborate on this show with all the talent and support you could imagine and to be nominated by the academy alongside so many actors that I esteem is a real privilege.”
Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
“I’m so grateful to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, to everyone on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ team here and in Toronto, and especially to the heart and soul of the operation, Lizzie Moss. I can’t wait for the day when we can all get back to the joyous, difficult work of telling stories together. In the meantime, in the name of all that is holy, please make sure you are registered to vote on November 3rd. Check your status today at vote.org. Stay safe.”
Eddie Murphy, Saturday Night Live, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
“I want to thank the Television Academy for this morning’s nomination. It was an incredibly special feeling to return to the SNL stage after so many years, and I’m gratified that the show was so well received. Knowing the collaboration that goes into putting SNL on the air every week the way that I do, it goes without saying that I share this nomination with Lorne and all of the SNL cast, writers and crew who helped bring the show together. It was a great homecoming for me.”
Billy Porter, Pose, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
“It’s blessing and a gift to be part of this moment where my art and my activism meet. POSE represents hope and is a reminder of how powerful ‘we-the-people’ are!”
Jim Parsons, Hollywood, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
“Well, this is a really sweet surprise in the middle of a really weird time in the world – thank you to the Television Academy! I’m very moved to be listed alongside such talented actors, and am eternally grateful that Ryan Murphy gave me the chance to be a part of HOLLYWOOD and to work with such an immensely gifted group of people – the whole experience was about as good as it gets and I know how fortunate I was to have taken this journey.”
Holland Taylor, Hollywood, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
“If a role is a blue print for what we do, I have to say it’s Ellen Kincaid who possessed the big goodwill for all, the big heart and the Moxie, as Ryan Murphy would put it, to capture the special feeling that would earn this nomination. So I’m grateful SHE is who I got to play. In this once in a century moment, goodwill is our real wealth. And in this year’s bountiful crop of great performances, it’s a real feather in my cap to be included in this notice from the Academy, who have often been good to me. Hollywood’s designers, writers, directors and my fellow actors were all in an excited top gear this season and it shows. Certainly a glowing highlight of my career that came as a gift.”
Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
“I am grateful to be nominated for my work in Mrs. America, and for the life of someone as remarkable as Shirley Chisholm to have been seen. This spot of sunshine, during a time of unequal measure, means so much today, and to share the nomination with my fellow cast mates is just icing on an already well frosted cake. Thank you, Academy!”
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
“During these very uncertain times it is moving to be reminded of the impact of telling stories about such brave and fearless women. And to be in the company of such talented women is a great honor. Thank you to Hulu, MGM and the cast and crew.”
Nicole Kassell, director and executive producer of Watchmen, 26 Nominations, Including Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special and Outstanding Limited Series
“Thank you so much to the Television Academy for the overwhelming recognition of WATCHMEN. It has been such a gift to partner with this incredible cast and crew, especially the extraordinary Damon Lindelof, to bring to screen this wild and wildly important story. And thank you to HBO for their unwavering support and belief in this show. I’m so proud that WATCHMEN has lived up to the words that Frank Scherma expressed today – our duty as filmmakers is to use this medium to make change. This show has truly been one of the greatest experiences of my life, allowing us all to soar creatively and grow in ways no words can describe. Regina, Jeremy, Lou, Jean, Yahya, Jovan, and the rest of our amazing cast – BRAVO – your performances are extraordinary. I’m simply gobsmacked by the roar of these accolades. Thank you!”
Shawn Levy, executive producer and director of Stranger Things, Eight Nominations, Including Outstanding Drama Series
“It is a tremendous honor to have our show and third season recognized by The Television Academy alongside such great series and storytellers. Working alongside the brilliant Duffer Brothers continues to be one of the great honors and joys of my career, and our cast and crew is deeply grateful for this acknowledgment.”
Bruce Miller, executive producer of The Handmaid’s Tale, 10 Nominations, Including Outstanding Drama Series
“We are beyond grateful to the Television Academy for this nomination, it’s a testament to the lasting relevance of Margaret Atwood’s book 30 years after it was published, and an honor to be recognized for our extrapolation of her world. I’m incredibly proud of our cast, crew, writers, directors and producers for their hard work and thrilled for our team to receive this recognition.”
Liz Feldman, creator, executive producer and showrunner of Dead to Me, Four Nominations, Including Outstanding Comedy Series
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing DEAD TO ME – it’s a lifelong dream come true. I’m incredibly proud to share this moment with our amazing cast, crew and partners at CBS Studios & Netflix. I created DEAD TO ME as a way to work through my own grief and loss, hoping that Jen and Judy’s story might help people through theirs. For our traumedy to be honored in this way is a twist I did not see coming. It’s truly life-affirming and I’m deeply grateful.”
Stefani Robinson, What We Do in the Shadows, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series
“What an awesome way to start the day! I am incredibly honored and elated by these nominations and am thankful to the Academy for recognizing “What We Do in the Shadows.” A massive thank you to the always freaky, always deranged family that is the cast and crew — there are no greater partners than them. Grateful to Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi for creating such an extraordinary world and to FX for always believing in our show.”
Derek Waters, co-creator, executive producer, director, and host of Drunk History, Three Nominations, Including Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
“What a great feeling! Drunk History always sets out to top the prior season, this was the hardest we’ve ever worked. So thankful to the incredible crew who the show would be lost without, they earned this nomination. Cheers!”
Mimi Leder, The Morning Show, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
“I am thrilled and beyond blown away to receive this recognition alongside a group of fierce, kick ass directors. Thank you to the Academy, Apple TV+, and my Morning Show Family who are every part of this honor. I may be getting older but… this never gets old!”
Laurence Fishburne, #FreeRayshawn, Outstanding Actor In A Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series
“It’s a great honor to be nominated along with my fellow cast members Stephan and Jasmine. Given the current focus on police reform in our country, I find #FreeRayshawn to be very timely and thought provoking. It is both an entertaining and important series and my gratitude goes out to Antoine Fuqua, Seith Mann and the team at Quibi and Sony Television for supporting it from start to finish.”
Ludwig Göransson, The Mandalorian, Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Television Academy for my work on The Mandalorian. Deepest thanks to Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, true visionaries who so brilliantly brought the Force to the uncharted territory of this new medium while encapsulating the magic and nostalgia of the original trilogy. I would also like to thank the talented Los Angeles recording musicians who brought such heart and soul to our collaboration.”
Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef, Four Nominations, Including Outstanding Competition Program
“How exciting that Top Chef is nominated again this year! So proud of our entire cast and crew that continue to work so hard on our beloved show. Thank you to the Academy, for also nominating me again in the host category. I am beyond humbled.”
Tom Colicchio, Top Chef, Four Nominations, Including Outstanding Competition Program
“After 18 years the show is still going strong and it’s always special that our peers in the academy continue to recognize our contribution to great TV.”
Gail Simmons, Top Chef, Four Nominations, Including Outstanding Competition Program
“This season was particularly meaningful to all of us — from producers to chefs and judges to our incredible crew — not only because it was All Stars and allowed us to showcase such an extraordinary level of talent, creativity and diversity by our returning chefs, but in the midst of a pandemic that has challenged the restaurant industry physically, emotionally and economically on so many levels, Top Chef Season 17 provided a moment of hope, comfort, triumph and solidarity, for us and our viewers alike. It aired as a weekly reminder to support and take care of each other, share our cultures and our tables, and be true to ourselves. I’m immensely proud of this season and grateful to be part a show that has proven its ability for innovation, entertainment and integrity, year over year over year.”
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