Emmys 2019: 'Game of Thrones' on track to break 'John Adams' win record despite weak final season
It is no surprise that 'Game of Thrones' dominated the 71st annual Emmy Awards with a score of 32 nominations. Shattering all previous records, the HBO series earned the most Emmy nominations for any show in a single season — even after a shoddy series finale. The record was previously held by 'NYPD Blue,' which scored 26 nominations in 1994.
Over its full eight seasons, 'Game of Thrones' has clinched 161 nominations overall, dominating the drama category. As the Television Academy announced the winners in the Creative Arts categories, 'Game of Thrones' had already won in 10 categories, including sound editing, special visual effects, fantasy/sci-fi costumes, make-up, music composition, sound mixing, casting, and stunt coordination.
As the Primetime Emmy Awards are held on a starry Sunday night over the weekend, the series will definitely grab at least three to four more awards. If it wins three more, the overall score would come around to 13, surpassing the show's own record of 12 awards in both 2015 and 2016. And, if the series goes on to win four more titles, it will break the record of 'John Adams' — the series with 13 Emmy wins -- for most wins for any miniseries in history.
In addition, the series has nominations for Emilia Clarke for the lead actress and Kit Harington for the lead actor. Meanwhile, four actresses (Gwendoline Christie, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams) are contending for the supporting actress category, three actors (Alfie Allen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage) for supporting actor and Carice van Houten has a nomination for the guest actress category.
However, the fate of the actors is still a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Until now, Peter Dinklage is the only actor to have won the Emmy awards for his performance as Tyrion Lannister in the series. The only actor to be nominated for every season, raking up eight in total, he has won three trophies in the supporting actor category.
Even though the series finale didn't stand up to the expectations, the episode 'The Long Night' does deserve a pat on the back for its exquisite direction. Moreover, if you look at the achievement of the whole series, the bulk of nominations in other categories, like production or VFX or music or costume design or even acting, have not dipped down over the years.
The series, based on George RR Martin's book series, is all set to claim the throne over Emmys records as the awards night is held on Sunday, September 22 at 8 pm.