Game of Thrones leads Emmy nominations

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

With 23 nominations, HBO's Game of Thrones received the most selections to the 68th Emmy Awards, following a ceremony in California Thursday.

After airing its sixth season this year, the hit series’ nominations include for best series, directing, writing, supporting actor and actress.

The fantasy drama series was nominated in 24 categories last year, taking home 12 awards, including its first win in best drama series.

Game of Thrones will be chased this year by The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which garnered 22 nominations, and Fargo -- receiving 18 nominations.

The ceremony will take place Sept. 18 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and will be hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel.

Nominees in selected major categories are:

Outstanding Drama Series:

The Americans (FX Networks)

Better Call Saul (AMC)

Downtown Abbey (PBS)

Game Of Thrones (HBO)

Homeland (Showtime)

House Of Cards (Netflix)

Mr. Robot (USA Network)

Outstanding Comedy Series:

black-ish (ABC)

Master Of None (Netflix)

Modern Family (ABC)

Silicon Valley (HBO)

Transparent (Amazon)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

Veep (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series:

Matthew Rhys (The Americans)

Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)

Kyle Chandler (Bloodline)

Kevin Spacey (House Of Cards)

Rami Malek (Mr. Robot)

Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series:

Keri Russell (The Americans)

Taraji P. Henson (Empire)

Claire Danes (Homeland)

Robin Wright (House of Cards)

Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder)

Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series:

Anthony Anderson (black-ish)

Aziz Ansari (Master of None)

William H. Macy (Shameless)

Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley)

Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)

Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series:

Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish)

Laurie Metcalf (Getting On)

Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)

Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer)

Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)