Brits hog nominations as Emmy nods are revealed

06 Jul 2006

After enduring bitter disappointment in the World Cup and at Wimbledon, Brits are hoping to have a better chance of glory after UK dramas swept the board at the Emmy nominations in the US. The cream of the country's acting talent, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet and Jeremy Irons, are all in the running for the TV awards, which will be handed out in LA on August 27.

Highly acclaimed dramas Bleak House, nominated for ten, and Elizabeth I, up for 13 awards, have clearly made an impact over the pond. Nigel Stafford-Clark, who produced the BBC Dickens serialisation, was overwhelmed by the response. "It's just unbelievable," he said. "If you've got two British dramas that between them have 23 Emmy nominations, you've got to say that's a very good British year."

Dame Helen, who starred in Elizabeth I, will be hoping to fight off competition in the outstanding lead actress category from Bleak House's Gillian Anderson. Brit thesps Hugh Dancy and Jeremy Irons are also up for supporting actor nods for the Elizabethan costume drama. Kate Winslet, meanwhile, has received a nod as outstanding guest actress for her part in Ricky Gervais' comedy Extras.

Oxford-born Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr Gregory in hit US series House, is hoping the show will snatch the outstanding drama series title from 24, Grey's Anatomy, The Sopranos and The West Wing. It's a role that has brought the Eton-educated star huge fame in the States late in his career.

Another British success story in America has been music mogul Simon Cowell. His ratings-winner series American Idol: The Search For A Superstar, in the running for outstanding reality competition programme, has made Mr Nasty a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.