Eric Andre, Alan Cumming, Kali Reis and More React to Emmy Nominations: ‘Awards Are Stupid and Dopey, but They’re Also Really Lovely’

Outstanding Performer In A Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series, Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama Or Variety Series (“The Eric Andre Show) 

You just scored your first two Emmy nominations for “The Eric Andre Show.” What was your reaction to the news? 

I got car service back from the airport. I just got back from Alaska. I screamed, and then the driver looked back at me, like, “What the hell?”  I was really overcome with emotion. Almost cried, almost threw up, 

“The Eric Andre Show” is such a subversion from traditional television. How do you feel about how far you’ve been able to take the show? 

I didn’t think anybody would ever pay attention to the show as much as they did. I had no idea if the show was going to be a success or not. We had very humble beginnings. We used to make a show, like, in an abandoned bodega. So, it’s very exciting to get this type of big-league recognition. I never thought this day would come. 

Have you had a chance to talk to any of the crew or the talent behind the scenes?  

I just found out probably 30 minutes ago, and everybody’s asleep. But I can’t stress enough how amazing my crew is and how amazing the cast is. It absolutely does take a village. And my editors, my postproduction crew, old and new, everybody, it’s all hands on deck. This show is a collaborative effort, and I can’t thank them enough. I’m so honored that such smart minds wanted to help me collaborate on the show.  

Since Season 6, you’ve been touring around the country. What is next for you? Can we expect a new season of “The Eric Andre Show”? 

Things I’m working on I’m not allowed to talk about. We’re doing the final live “Eric Andre Show” this Friday in Los Angeles. We’re ending the tour in L.A. and we sold out pretty quick. So it’s exciting to get this news this week. It’s a particularly emotional week. 

Lead Actress in a Drama Series (“The Gilded Age”) 

This is your second Emmy nomination and your first for “The Gilded Age.” What was your reaction to getting the news? 

My son was crying, and I’ve worked all week. My sister-in-law, who’s visiting from Ohio, said, “Your phone is ringing. It’s Jacob Fenton.” Who’s my agent. And he said, “Congratulations.” And I said, “Wait, what?” I forgot [the nominations were] today. And then, shockingly, while I was on the phone, my husband [Tracy Letts] was nominated for guest star. So I called him with the kids in my arms crying to say, “You got one too!” And they said, “Got what?” So neither of us had any idea what was happening. 

“The Gilded Age” brought in six nominations, including your co-star, Christine Baranski.  Have you had a chance to talk to Christine, or anyone from the crew? 

No, because Christine is at work today, but the rumor on set is that nobody’s getting any work done, because everyone’s very excited. It’s got to be a really fun day on set. We’re so proud of Sean Flanigan in the hair department, Kasia Walicka Maimone in costumes, Bob Shaw, our production designer, who was our only nomination and only winner before. And of course, getting a best drama nomination, we’re also thrilled about that. And Christine, come on, she’s the queen, 

How has it felt to return to the world of the “Gilded Age” for Season 3, and what can fans expect in the new season?  

I have to say, it’s a bit of whiplash. I feel like I just dropped my “White Lotus” bathing suit on the floor and stepped into a corset, and that’s a pretty big swing. But the most satisfying part is that almost all of our crew is back, even though the show has been down for 18 months, and it feels like we’ve been working for six months already. All the jokes are back. It really is like family. Just to see all those familiar faces and realize that everybody returned, it says so much about the culture of the place and just how much we genuinely all really care about each other. 

Outstanding Host for A Reality or Reality Competition Program (“The Traitors”) 

How are you feeling after seeing your nomination? 

It feels great. Everyone’s been hoping this would happen, including myself. I’m just so happy for the show, which got four nominations altogether. The awards are stupid and dopey, but they’re also really lovely and people have worked really hard. When it’s something like this that I really love and I really think is a good show — it’s innovative and clever and such a laugh, everyone seems to be on a bit of a roll — it’s really the icing on a very nice cake. 

Who was the first person you called to tell? 

I didn’t really have a chance to call anyone, actually, because I was live on the radio. I’m in Scotland and I was doing an interview on radio. We were on air, and my phone was vibrating a ton. I’ve just been responding to all the texts and everything after that. I called my mom, but that was about it.  

Your portrayal of the Emcee in “Cabaret” has been going viral again now that Eddie Redmayne is playing the role on Broadway. What do you make of the new interpretation of the character? 

I love Eddie. I’m really glad he’s doing it. I feel there was this sort of binary of me and Joel Grey for years, because we were the only two people who’d ever performed it and we’d both done it twice on Broadway. We’re sort of hogging it. So, in a way, I’m really glad that there’s another version of it.

What pains me a little is that people just copy. I see all the time people doing “Cabaret,” and they kind of do a version of what I did. It’s one of these roles that you could do anything you wanted — that’s what’s such a great thing about the character. Hopefully people will be encouraged to do more and more versions.

All the comparisons are a little odious. I think it’s just one of these things that, at the time, you do it according to how you feel it should be done. I think it’s great to have new versions of great work. “Cabaret” is an American classic. It should be reinterpreted and have new versions of it every generation.

What has it been like working on “The Traitors” Season 3? 

Great. I feel I’m in the swing of it now. It’s lovely to go back to that castle. It’s always the same group of people, and we’re in a groove. It’s interesting how each season changes a wee bit. This last season had a lot of my twists. It’s great to be a part of something that’s everyone is loving and is sort of clever and fun and has hit the zeitgeist. It’s just an entirely positive experience for me. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (“The Morning Show”)

Congratulations. How are you feeling?

It’s really, really nice. I’ve been talking with a lot of my peers this morning, who have also gotten nominations, and it’s all a very similar reaction. It hasn’t been, “You got nominated! Aren’t you so excited?” It has been, “You got nominated! By the way… how are you?” It’s this wonderful, appropriate placement of this lovely thing in our lives, which are all feeling very complicated right now.

What I will say is I do feel unfettered, unmitigated joy for our supporting female cast members like Nikki Bahari, Karen Pittman, Holland Taylor and Greta Lee. Some of them have been working 60 years in theater and TV without proper acknowledgement, in my opinion, but all of them are the fabric and the deep bench that I truly believe make this show continue to be great. Jen [Aniston] and Reese [Witherspoon] came out blasted in Season 1, and they brought the audience, and they did everything that they should do. But the sustainability, in a lot of ways, is the other women of the show.

How does it feel being in production on Season 4 of “The Morning Show,” which always keeps up with current events, during this moment in American politics?

I’ve only shot one day so far. One of the luxuries of the massive cast of “The Morning Show” is that you get some days off. But one thing that “The Morning Show” is focusing on is the emergence of technology and what that can do to us. I think that that’s a smart way for them to approach this season. Things like deep fakes and trust are really exciting themes. And however much they decide to pick up on what’s happening concurrently, I don’t know what’s possible. I’ve only read the first two scripts, so I don’t know what they’re gonna do with the with the current climate.

Does being on the show help you process it at all?

No. It doesn’t. I am the father of a 16 and a 12-year-old girl, and I hope that the world is a place that is not only capable of bringing them joy, but a place at all when they grow up. We’re all in different positions thinking about this stuff. But yeah, man. It feels heavy right now.

What have you been watching lately? Were there any other nominations you were excited for, or projects you wish had gotten nominated?

would have liked to have seen some more love for “The Curse,” because what I’m calling the “interesting middle” of television is an endangered species right now. Anytime somebody steps forward with a show like that, I like to see it with awards, because frankly, that makes them want to continue to make more seasons or more shows like that.

On the flip side, I’m so thrilled for the love and support for “Baby Reindeer,” because that is exactly the type of show that people are not making. It’s not on their mandates, and it’s exactly the type of show that blew up the culture and everybody’s talking about it. It connected with people, and it was cheap to make, and Netflix didn’t even promote it, and just dropped it, and it worked. So I’m gonna bang that drum all day long. We need more things that can do what “Baby Reindeer” did, like what “Killing Eve” did, what “I May Destroy You” did. So I’m very buoyed by the success of “Baby Reindeer.”

It bodes well for “Penelope,” the show you produced cheaply and are bringing to Netflix soon.

I’m really excited about “Penelope” coming out in the fall. That is one of the shows that we took the scripts everywhere and pitched it, and no one would make it, so we had to go finance it and make it ourselves, which was terrifying. Thankfully, Netflix stepped up, and they’re going to release it here in the U.S. So hopefully we can see a little resurgence of the little, dare I say, important shows that could.

And I just wrapped the untitled orphan project with Ellen Pompeo about Natalia Grace. I’m very excited about her work in particular, and that our lead actress [Imogen Faith Reid], who plays Natalia Grace, is a discovery from the U.K. who hasn’t done much work. She is lightning incredible. So I’m also hopeful next year that those ladies will find their way into into these categories.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (“Hacks”) 

Congratulations on your nomination! How are you feeling this morning? 

I’m feeling immense gratitude, and love.  

Who was the first person you spoke to about your nomination? 

Jean, actually! I got some texts, but she was the first person I talked to on the phone, and we were very excited together. I was making jokes with her. We were just joking around, laughing and softly roasting. I guess I’ll keep it between me, Jean and God, but yeah, we just laughed a ton. 

Is the cast group chat for “Hacks” blowing up right now? 

It indeed is, yes. We have some first-time nominations for some of our incredible actors: Paul [W. Downs, series co-creator) and Kaitlin [Olson]. We’re all very excited about that, because they’re so special and so gifted, and we’re all very excited for them. 

What projects besides “Hacks” are you happy to see nominated?  

“Abbott Elementary” is such an incredible comedy. I have a lot of friends who make that show, who are on that show, and I think they’re all such deeply gifted performers. I worship Sheryl [Lee Ralph] and Janelle [James] and Quinta [Brunson]. They’re so fucking funny.  

I love “Shogun,” I was so stoked that they got some nominations. Anna Sawai is so gifted and really cool. I haven’t seen all the lists, but I love those shows.  

Are there any other nominees this year that you’d love to work with in the future? 

I’d like to work with Andrew Scott. He’s so funny, and he is truly the embodiment of the comedy-tragedy symbol. He is so gifted dramatically, and laugh-out-loud funny when you talk to him and in his work as well. That’s the type of guy I like. I feel like that would be sick.   

What’s the biggest plot twist or surprise from the last year that’s still left you in shock? 

I think it was on “Hacks,” frankly. Ava coming in with the blackmail really shook me to my core. I had seen it a bunch of times, and I was still like “Oh my god! Whoa!” 

Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series (“Ripley”) 

You earned your first Emmy nomination this morning. What was your reaction to hearing the big news?  

I really couldn’t believe it.  As an actor, it’s the experience of making something that comes first; I can’t even believe it sometimes that I got to be a part of a show that I admire so much, and work with these people. Everything else is an amazing cherry on top. To be included in such an incredible group of women that I’m such fans of is overwhelming. Hard to put into words but it’s very exciting. 

“Ripley” has scored 13 nominations total, including one for your co-star Andrew Scott. Have you two talked yet since getting your nominations? 

We did this morning. I’m so, so happy for him. He gave everything he had to this performance, and you can tell. I think audiences could see that, and for him to be recognized is more exciting to me than myself. 

Every movie or show takes so many people to make it possible, but this one, especially the Italian crew and the Italian actors as well, I’m so thrilled for them to be acknowledged for their work. And you know, the show isn’t possible without Steve Zaillian. He’s a genius and a visionary. His attention to detail is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I think that it really shows. It took so much passion and dedication from every single person involved, and so for them to also be recognized feels really amazing. Yeah, 

What shows or actors have you been following for this award season? Anyone you’re excited to see get nominated? 

I just started watching “Fellow Travelers.” And I love “Capote vs. the Swans.” There’s so many. I’m a big TV watcher. In a busy life, I still find the time. 

Outstanding Drama Series (“The Gilded Age”)

“The Gilded Age” received six nominations today. As captain of the ship, what was your reaction to the news?

I must say, it’s been very thrilling, as you can imagine. With a newish show — I mean, we’ve only shown two series of this so far — there is something rather marvelous when the Academy recognizes it. It’s a lovely reward for the cast and crew, which I obviously I believe well deserved, but nevertheless, it’s marvelous when it’s given. I think all our spirits will be sky high.

Have you gotten a chance to speak to Carrie Coon or Christine Baranski, who were also nominated?

I’ve just gotten all these rather nice telephone messages, as you can imagine. But anyway, I think Christine is wonderful in the show. And I think Carrie is wonderful in the show. Of course, it’s a woman’s show, in that it’s a series of very strong women, and that’s rather what I do. So I’m really pleased that it’s worked for both of them. You can imagine, it was tremendously thrilling when they accepted the parts. So this is a very rewarding moment for me as well as for them.

You’ve just started production on Season 3, which didn’t seem like a guarantee. How has it felt to return to the world of the show, and what should fans be expecting?

Well, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that nothing is guaranteed in show business. You have to take your chances. And even though I am very, very thrilled that they wanted a third series, and I think the third series is going to be good — because the longer you work with actors, the more they find things you didn’t even know were in the writing — we all want to feel we’re doing well, don’t we? We all want to feel what we’re working at is a success. And this kind of recognition gives you that pleasure.

You created “Downton Abbey” before this, and are a veteran of the TV industry. So much has changed over the years. What’s your take on the landscape of streaming that we have now?

I’m now getting on a bit, and I’ve been at this game for half a century. The truth is: Entertainment is always evolving. It’s always changing. There are different methods of access. When I was at drama school, if you missed the movie that was it. You couldn’t see it. And VHS only arrived after that, and after VHS, DVD. Now the Internet has taken over everything. It’s always evolving, but it always was. The arrival of the camera changed everything, and then the arrival of sound changed everything again. So I think one has to remain reasonably philosophical and try to understand the era you’re operating in, really.

Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special (“Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates Jr.”)  

You’ve earned dozens of awards for your work in literature, but this is your first Emmy nomination. What was your reaction to hearing the news? 

If you think about it, at the subliminal level, “Finding Your Roots” stands against the forces dividing us as a nation by showing that at the level of the genome, we’re all 99.99% the same, and by showing that what’s made America great is that we are a nation of immigrants. All of us, even my African ancestors, are immigrants, though unwilling immigrants. Our Native American brothers and sisters migrated across the Bering Strait 15,000 years ago. Now we have evil forces that are trying to soak the forces of antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and anti-Black racism. “Finding Your Roots,” week after week, fights against those things that are railing through our society and trying to divide us. I’m very, very proud of that. 

When the series started, I was just trying to give African Americans their family trees back to slavery, and then through DNA show where they came from in Africa. But that was when the series started in 2006 and 2008, it was called “African American Lives.” And then I got a letter from a lady who identified herself as being of Russian Jewish ancestry. She said she loved African American lives, but how come I wasn’t doing Jewish people like her and other people? And I swear to God, I had never it had never occurred to me before, because what’s my day job? I’m a professor of African and African American Studies. 

And I thought about it, and she was right. When I was growing up, I thought all white people had a coat of arms and a family tree going back to 1066 or something. And I found out, to my enormous surprise, that nobody I have sat down with knew more than a couple generations on their family tree, no matter what their ethnicity was. The first person we’ve gone back with in 2006 was Oprah Winfrey, and when we showed her the names of her enslaved ancestors, she burst into tears. Since that time, everybody finds the experience of meeting their ancestors for the first time deeply emotional, and many of them burst into tears as well. I’ve had to fight back tears myself. 

Because of the new technology in genetic genealogy, led by our genius genetic genealogist Cece Moore, we’re able to use DNA analysis to break through the gaps and the omissions in the paper trail so that we can do magic with genetics. We’ve also morphed into finding the birth parents for adoptees. We started with Téa Leoni, whose mother was adopted. It was an experiment. We found both of her mother’s biological parents, and then Andy Samberg came to us. Andy had even hired private investigators and struck out, and we found his mother’s birth mother and birth father. And in LL Cool J’s case, I had to tell him that his mother, who had no idea, had actually been adopted in New York City in 1947. They couldn’t believe that. And then we found his mother’s birth mother living in a nursing home, and connected them. The same thing with Téa Leoni, her mother was 98 and we connected them, and they all had a reunion. 

It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and I am honored to be the host of a series that stands for uniting people with their long-lost ancestors, and for making a political statement that we urgently need in this country. We have to fight against the forces of division. 

Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) (Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die) 

How are you feeling after finding out about your nomination? 

I felt really good. I’ve heard so many celebrities talk about how they find out and how this all goes down. I was just in an elevator leaving an interview, I got a text from my publicist with a bunch of exclamations. You either think someone died or you got nominated for an Emmy, so I’m glad it was the latter. Either you were just canceled or you’re going to be a bigger deal than you were before: That’s when a publicist writes you. 

I’m just excited that I get to go to the Emmys, to be honest. Who knows if I’ll win an Emmy, but this is, for sure, an invite to the Emmys. It’s just such a fun show, and I’ve enjoyed watching it like my whole life.  

After your publicist, but who was the first person you actually spoke to about your nomination? 

That would be all of my publicists on the same line together. But I haven’t spoken to anyone, I’ve just texted everyone. My boyfriend, who produced it with me, was the first person I saw in person, but he was on a call, so we quietly hugged and whispered “congratulations” to each other.  

So, no formal celebrations yet. But for the rest of my life, I can call myself “Emmy-nominated Nikki Glaser.” That is how I will be accepting my mobile Starbucks orders now as well, so I have to change my name in the app. 

What was it like working on the special itself? 

Grueling. These things are just so important, you only do one every couple years. It was so much work, and you’re wondering if you should really put this kind of stuff out there. It’s just wild to me that I am nominated for making a piece work that is literally just the way I think in my brain. 

There’s many different ways to get your message across, but this is just me talking. It was definitely a team effort, but it was just me talking into a microphone. It’s amazing that can be honored in this way. As for the material in the special, it was really hard for me to get to a place where it was even palatable for a stage, because it was difficult topics that I’ve struggled with for years. A lot of it I truly never thought I would tell anyone, not even a therapist, let alone a room of people, and then ultimately the world. My biggest fear growing up was people knowing my secrets, and now it might win me an Emmy.  

Are there any other nominees or comedians you’d want to work with in the future? 

Billy Joel, first of all — obviously one of my favorite comedians. 

I mean, Dave Chappelle. I first met him at the Netflix is a Joke festival in L.A. I love him and look up to him and think he’s the G.O.A.T., and to be in the same category as him is such an honor. When I met him for the first time, I just straight up asked him if he would be my friend and if I could get an invite to his farm, because I just want to talk to him about his process, like how he approaches writing material and putting together a special. There’s so many things that I still haven’t figured out about this business and about comedy and writing that I’m still learning.  

It’s also just so cool to be nominated in the same category as Billy Joel. That’s just really fun for me as a comedian; we all secretly want to be rock stars. Also, obviously Dick Van Dyke is just so iconic. I know my parents are so amazed at me being in a category with him, and that’s not lost on me either. I hope I get to meet him. That would be super cool. 

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (“Fargo”)

“Fargo” scored 15 nominations across a swath of different categories. What was your reaction to hearing the big news today?  

I’m thrilled, obviously, both that we got the volume that we got, and also what it signifies, which is that we’re still culturally relevant, and we’re still working at the top of our game through 10 years of the show. It’s encouraging. If you’re thinking about whether we should make more, it’s certainly to the positive.   

Lamorne Morris, Juno Temple and Jon Hamm all got nominated for the series. Have you had chance to speak with any of the cast and crew today?  

I’ve checked in most of them. Both the cast and the craftspeople who make the show are the show and, for many of them, like Jeff Russo, my composer or Dana Gonzalez, my DP who’ve been doing it with me since the beginning, they’re a huge part of why the show is what is what it is. So yeah, I checked in with John and Juno and Lamorne. Everyone’s over the moon.  

You have another FX show on the horizon with “Alien.” Where in development are you with that?  

We just wrapped production and so now I’m into the long post that gets into visual effects. It’s a very big show. It’s nice to have some time with it. The first year of anything, you want to feel like you’re not up against the wall in terms of time. I’ve seen four of the eight hours of director cuts and engaged in the process of figuring out, cinematically, what it wants to be. It’s one of my favorite parts of of making a show.

John Landgraf, Chairman of FX Networks, referred to the show as “Alien: Earth”  earlier today. Is that is that the official title?  

That’s the title that we have discussed. Unless it changes, I think that is the title.

Are we going to get more “Fargo” in the future? Or is “Alien: Earth” your focus for the for the time being?  

Well, the future is a long time. I would say that that we will, but I couldn’t give you a day and date for it.    

Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Shogun”) 

“Shogun” scored 25 nominations, more than any other show this season. As the creators and showrunners, what was your reaction to that news?  

Marks: Just relief to see so much of the crew and cast be recognized for what has been, for some of us, five years of work. To think of all those months in Vancouver and everyone who was sweating in the trenches on this show getting recognized in the way that they have is so gratifying.  

Kondo: I feel like there’s a little bit of a lag because I just want to thank people for tuning in. This is not a show that was easy to make. I’m sure sometimes it’s not even easy to watch. Like Justin said, it is gratifying to feel that people liked it and responded to it.  

Marks: When we came to FX to get in business, it was my favorite network because it was where I watched all my shows. To be part of this kind of landslide for them, and to see “The Bear,” “What We Do In The Shadows,” “Reservation Dogs” and “Fargo” all getting what they got, I could never believe that we can part of this network getting the recognition that they deserve. Not just for the great work that they do, but the high batting average.   

Have you had a chance to speak with any of your cast and crew?  

Marks: Yes, starting to get into a couple. In all honesty, we’ve got the writers’ room to get into later today for Season 2, to get back to work. We are a little over a week into it. We are very excited for what we are doing. All the writers who are part of the success of Season 1 are back in-person for Season 2. We have a lot to be very proud of as we go into it. Those are the people we’re looking forward to see in-person.  

“Shogun” was renewed for two new seasons. What can we expect?  

Kondo: Who knows? We want to know too! 

Marks: We’re really excited for the future this show. We are just getting into the specifics of what scene follows another, but these are ideas that have been bandied about now for not just months and months, but in a lot of ways, years and years. To actually see everyone’s faces last week after five years was really exciting. It’s the moment I never thought would come up, just like sitting down in the writer’s room again, with the same group of people putting the same character names up on the wall. 

Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (“True Detective: Night Country”) 

How are you feeling this morning? 

Well, I couldn’t watch the announcement. I can’t. It’s nerve wracking. So, I had a friend over, and we went to get a coffee. People were messaging me, and I was trying not to look at the messages until all the nominations were done. And it’s nerve-wracking, but in this particular case there was so much joy when we got the final list. I was very happy.  

And the truth is, what absolutely fills my heart with joy is the recognition for the team. So many on the team got a nom. It says so much about what we did together. It truly was an effort of a team. This is a story that absolutely came from coming together, so seeing so many of them getting recognition was just a joy. 

Jodie Foster and Kali Reis were both nominated for their roles in the series. Have you spoken to them yet? 

Yes, and both of them are over the moon and just shouting. We’re so proud of this story we made together, because it talks about things we’re passionate about and we had so much fun doing it together.  

Jodie even said earlier, even if it’s just an excuse to get all together, it’s so welcome. So that’s the most important part, we’re gonna get together that night and we’re gonna celebrate no matter what. 

What was it like directing the series? 

Before actually doing it, it felt a little terrifying because of the size of the piece itself. It included such challenges: the fact that it was going to be done all at night, and then facing the Arctic weather, which, as a Mexican, is not exactly for me. 

But when we were there, the challenges became a fun adventure. We all got in the mood of, we have to face the weather, and we’re going to basically inhabit the universe that these characters live in every day and become a little bit like them. The experience of living in the Arctic by night, we embraced. We were in Iceland, we only had three hours of light a day, and then the sun would go down and we would prepare to go to set. It’s this very close experience that people that live in the Arctic had told me about. Instead of the night being scary, it’s a time for getting together with the people you love and to create.  

How do you hope that “True Detective” will continue to promote representation within the TV industry? 

I think that the beauty of the meeting between genre and representation is that you’re not telling a story about representation for representation alone. You’re telling a story. With characters that are going through a transformation. And when you put that in a context like the northwest Arctic in the U.S., it invites you to put the voices of the people that actually inhabit that place on screen.  

It demands the voices that were in the show, so finding the stories that are fascinating on their own and then allowing them to ask for the true voices and the true faces of the people that lead in this story is very organic. And it shows that you can do it successfully. You can create a series that represents accurately, but also is successful. That’s a formula that cannot be denied by the studios and invites people to explore more in that terrain.  

Kali Reis and Lily Gladstone are the first Indigenous women to be nominated for acting today. How does it make you feel to have been a part of that? 

Incredibly proud. Absolutely, incredibly proud. It’s insane that we’re in 2024 and this is the first time that this happens in a nation that is built on the experience of these nations. It makes absolutely no sense. So having created a story that allowed for that recognition is an absolute honor. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (“Baby Reindeer”) 

Congratulations on your nomination. How are you doing? 

I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I kind of cannot believe it. 

This is your first Emmy nomination. How does that make you feel? 

Even just hearing you say that makes me emotional. I just think about that child that would play at home pretending to be somebody else. I was always creating characters and telling these long, elaborate stories to the point that my mom thought that they were real, and sometimes would be concerned because of the drama.  

I never could have imagined that innocent play could grow into something as meaningful as a career as an actor. It’s something that I’ve been too scared to dream of for myself until recently. I think all actors know how hard we have to fight for any opportunity to grow in our craft and it’s been such an honor to get to do that with “Baby Reindeer.” To be recognized now by the Academy is beyond my wildest dreams. 

What was your reaction when you found out? 

I just started crying. 

Who did you call first to talk about your nomination? 

Well, they were calling me to tell me! My manager called me and then I called my mom. 

What was that conversation like with her? 

It was brief. But she said she had been crying all morning too.  

I think the beginning of this year was really tough for me, as I know it has been for so many actors and people in our industry. There’s been moments where I just don’t know if I can keep going in this business. So any time that it feels like there’s a sign that I should not give up, it’s a great reminder that I’ve come too far to not keep going. 

You’re the first trans Latina nominee in history, and the first trans nominee in this specific category. How are you feeling? 

I think that it’s clear that trans Latinas, Latina women in general and all trans people are often underestimated and overlooked. What we know is that we can be so much more than what the dominant narrative says we can be. I think the beauty of getting to be an actor is that I get to transform, and I get to grow as part of that transformation. So I know that we are going to get to have so many more opportunities as a community to keep growing in that way. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (“Fargo”) 

How’s your day going? 

Oh, wow. Today has been crazy. I was just making a joke that I haven’t had chance to shower yet. I was having breakfast, and my little one was sitting with me asking me why I’m crying all of a sudden, because I was so excited. It’s been intense. It’s been a very surreal experience, for sure. 

What was that like sharing that moment with your daughter this morning? 

It was so funny, because she didn’t understand. She thought I was sad, because I was crying. I was just like, “No, daddy’s really happy!” So I stood up to take a call in another room, and my buddy Kyle was sitting there with her. Then she asked, “Are you gonna go cry in the bed?” I told her, “No, I’m not Lily, I’m really happy!”

Honestly, I’m still in shock a little bit. I haven’t had the chance to just sit and be grateful about it. I know it’s going to get hectic and a little bit crazy, but I’m looking forward to that little moment where I can kind of just go, “Wow,” because it still hasn’t hit me yet. 

Is the cast group chat active right now? What’s everyone saying? 

Just congrats. David Rysdahl, who played Wayne on the show, he’s giving me shit about being in shape, posting my buff nudes on Instagram. He’s given me a tough time about that. If you could see my face, I’m literally smiling from ear to ear. That smile has not come off my face since. I’m working on fumes. I barely slept last night. 

Are there any other nominees that you’d love to work with in the future? 

I’m in a category with Robert Downey Jr., are you kidding me? He’s one of my favorites of all time. “Tropic Thunder” — anybody who knows me knows that is my movie. I legit have a framed movie poster in my house of “Tropic Thunder.”  

Lewis Pullman, obviously, in my category, he’s a buddy of mine, so I would love to work with him as well. Honestly, anybody. I’m always game. I’m down to have some fun and push the boundaries a little bit and keep moving forward. 

Also, Ayo Edebiri. I would love to work with her. Just gonna put that out there. I think we did a movie together, but we never met on that project (2021’s “How it Ends”). She’s definitely somebody who I would love to work with.   

You were cast in the new “Spider-Man Noir” series. What are you looking forward to in that? 

Just working with Nic Cage and Brendan Gleeson. The hard part for me is going to be not watching them and just being in it, because I’m so enamored with their abilities. 

It’s a period piece, so I’m excited about the costumes, the scripts are great, I’m just excited to dive into that universe. Anybody who knows me knows that I’ve always wanted to be in that universe, in the superhero world. I’m just excited to be a part of it, especially playing a character that is loved in the Spider-Man comics. 

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie  (“Fellow Travelers”)

How are you feeling? 

I do feel really gratified. Matt [Bomer] and Johnny [Bailey] have been honored for giving us the great gay love story of our time. I think Hawk and Tim live on and are very important to people, so I’m really grateful for that.  

Have you gotten the chance to talk to either Matt or Jonathan today? 

Matt and I were just texting, but I did get a call from Johnny in Malta, where he’s doing “Jurassic World.” We had a great conversation. I asked him how many dinosaurs he’s confronted so far. There was just a lot of joy, and he wrote a beautiful thing on Instagram about how much playing Tim means to him. 

You were nominated for your writing on the show. How do you think Hollywood can continue to portray LGBTQ+ love stories in an authentic and meaningful way? 

Hawk, Tim, Marcus and Frankie in our show are fully fleshed-out characters. They’re not designed to send a message, and they’re not tropes that audiences are maybe more comfortable with. They are as fully human and complicated as any heterosexual characters are allowed to be, and that’s what I insisted on doing and what I’ll continue to insist on doing. They are as flawed as any heterosexual character is allowed to be. I think we have been acknowledged for doing that and for having four LGBTQ actors playing four LGBTQ roles in a show that was produced by four LGBTQ executive producers. I think we need more of the same.  

What does the future look like for “Fellow Travelers”? 

That’s a conversation to be had with the people who actually own the show. I would go on writing these characters forever, I think. But I do think that there was something very complete in the story that we recreated. I think we would all go on with the spirit of “Fellow Travelers” and trying to be honest and provocative, but perhaps with other stories and other characters. 

Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (Lessons In Chemistry)  

This is your first Emmy nomination. How are you feeling? 

Absolute disbelief. I mean, I’m just thrilled that the show was received so warmly across the board. We had so much fun making that show, and it’s a good testament to what streamlined, beautiful collaboration can do. Storytelling when it’s very supportive and very explorative.  

What’s next for you? Anything you can share about Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” or a new “Top Gun” film? 

 The future is a little opaque right now. I’m just trying to take a moment to realign myself with the types of stories I want to be a part of and where I can best be of service. I’m in an exploratory stage right now, which is exciting and scary. 

 What shows or actors have you been following for this award season? Anyone you’ve been keeping a close eye on that you’re excited to see get nominated?  

Andrew Scott is an incredible one I’ve been keeping watch of. Juno Temple I’m a huge fan of. Carrie Coon, she always delivers. Obviously, Jeremy Allen White, he’s one to watch, and Ayo Edebiri. I love keeping an eye on both of them. They make such interesting choices. It’s an embarrassment of riches. Everyone in here is more than worthy and I feel like a weird stick in the spokes. I don’t know how I snuck past it all. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (“True Detective”) 

How does it feel to be Emmy-nominated for your TV debut? 

It feels so surreal. I still haven’t found the correct words to even express it, but I’m really grateful and full of gratitude. It’s just really exciting to see this trajectory kind of take this this path. It’s surreal. Honestly, I can’t believe it. 

What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated?  

I was like, “No!” At first, I was watching it on YouTube and it was really short, so they didn’t do every category. I was just happy to see Jodie, happy to see the show and all the other people. Then, I got a phone call from my manager and agents and they were like “Hey, am I speaking to an Emmy nominee?” I said “Wait, what? I got nominated?” 

I was just surprised, I didn’t know – it was sort of a “Okay, I’ll find out later” kind of thing. I was just taken aback. I was excited, I called my mom. It was a normal morning, until it wasn’t. 

What was that phone call like with your mom? Was she the first person you talked to besides your agents and manager? 

I was actually on the phone with [my agents and manager], and my husband called my mom. I told them to hold on one second, and she said, “I knew it!” She was just very, very proud and I could hear the pride in her voice. 

I live for stuff like that. This is all so new and I’m just getting my footing here, but to see how proud she is, and how much support I have, is really, really amazing to see and feel. 

You and Lily Gladstone are the first Indigenous women to be nominated for Emmys. How does that make you feel and how do you hope to champion representation for Indigenous actors in the TV industry? 

It’s an honor. I’m so grateful. I’ve kind of been looking at the trajectory of Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry as a spectator. I’ve had to pinch myself and be like “Oh yeah, I’m part of the conversation.” Being a part of the conversation in this time that I’m so proud of collectively for Indigenous people and representation is just amazing. 

And being amongst somebody that I admire and look up to so much with Lily Gladstone is just an honor. It means a lot to have different representation because I am not from where Lily is from. We are Indigenous people, but Indigenous people from two totally different parts of the world. We have this collective belief in that pride. It’s cool that we get to check the same boxes, but also different boxes inside the same Indigenous world. 

Have you spoken to Jodie Foster yet today? 

I have through text messages, and she said, “I hope you’re dancing around the living room, congratulations!” It’s been really cool to see all the nominations, and everybody has put in so much work. We’re all pretty excited about it. 

Are there any other nominees that you would love to work with in the future? 

I would love to work with Lily at some point. She’s an amazing artist. And I’d love to work with Jodie again. But congratulations to all the nominees. I’m just honored and happy to be amongst so many people that I’ve admired as a fan, as a fellow artist. This has just been really huge blessing. 

Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Fallout”)  

Congratulations! How do you feel right now?  

Wagner: Gee whiz. We’re, I mean, a little overwhelmed, to be honest. 

Robertson-Dworet: It’s a big deal, for sure.  

Where were you when you heard “Fallout” was nominated? How did you react?

Wagner: I was playing tennis and was just missing every shot because my phone was facing me, and every time I got a random text, I had to be like, “Is that it?” So anyway, I read the announcement covered in sweat and looking like an idiot.  

Robertson-Dworet: My daughter was monopolizing my phone to look at photos of herself, so I was basically unable to see the reason why my phone was ticking like crazy. But I was very excited to see the news.  

“Fallout” was nominated for 15 Emmys including best drama, best drama writing for the two of you and best drama actor for Walton Goggins. What do these nods say about the team that brought the show to life.  

Wagner: I think of these nominations as, “All ships rise.” The writing popped that much more because it was being filmed by Stuart Dryburgh. Jonathan Nolan’s rolodex was activated, bringing the very best from every corner of the industry to support it. To me, it was like, either we get a bunch of nominations, or we get no nominations, right? All of these departments are in service of one another. All of television is a team effort, but boy, this one really, really, really was a team effort. 

Robertson-Dworet: In terms of the Walton of it all — I mean, we owe him everything. We wrote the role for him. We knew that we wanted this video game adaptation to kind of be unique, and that we wanted it to be a blend of comedy and drama, and we felt like he is the actor who best epitomizes being able to blend those two tones so beautifully. The level of commitment he brought to the role every day on set was absolutely astonishing. Sometimes it was like 100 degrees, incredibly humid, and poor Walton’s prosthetics are literally melting off of his skin, and yet he’s delivering incredibly powerful work. 

Is there anything you can tease about Season 2?  

Wagner: Well, we’re meeting with the writers right now. They’re iterating on stuff while we take this phone call with you. We’re deep in it, to avoid any specific spoilers, all I can really say is, golly. It’s going to be terrific and big as all hell. 

Congratulations. How are you feeling?

This one feels special. You know what we were dealing with this year. We had to strike, and then we had to truncate our season, and we had to change the things we had planned. In the midst of all of that, to still be able to pull nominations down, I feel extra, extra grateful. It felt like we had to rush back and we just weren’t sure.

So it doesn’t stop being exciting, even though you’ve been nominated for this role three years in a row?

No. It was rough. It was hard to do. We were one of the first shows back, and the things that we had planned, some of them we just didn’t have time to do. 22 episodes is a lot different than 13. To still be recognized for that work in the midst of some really rough constraints, it feels like the biggest one.

How long did it take you to start feeling confident in Season 3?

It took us two or three episodes, because we had been sitting for a long period of time. Usually, we wrap in March, and then we’re back to work by July. But we had been sitting for so long, and you get cold, and then the storylines change. Thankfully, we could all lean on each other for our group scenes, but I remember us all talking about it like, “I feel out of rhythm.” But thankfully, as an ensemble, once one person catches heat, we all do.

After three years of flirting and one small kiss last year, Gregory and Janine (series creator Quinta Burnson) finally decide to go for it and make out in the Season 3 finale. What are your hopes for your character next season?

Living in Gregory’s skin, I can feel the anxiety everyone was feeling of, “When are we gonna do this?” So it was nice to finally exercise that in that final moment, and now we get a chance to explore what happens after. We’ve been leading up to this moment from the pilot, and now we’re going into a paradigm shift, which is Janine and Gregory addressing how they feel for each other honestly. What does the show look like from that place? I’m against the most excited I’ve ever been to go back to work, because the thing that we’ve been hemming and hawing with, now we can actually commit to. I know some of the stuff that Quinta’s already kicking around. We start with our first table read next week. We’re ready to go. I don’t know what this show looks like yet with them actually addressing it, but we’re gonna figure out what that is. That’s gonna be fun.

What other nominations were you excited to see today?

[“Abbott Elementary’ executive producer] Randall Einhorn was nominated for director of a comedy series, and that was a quiet sleeper. For two years, I was like, “That doesn’t feel right.” He’s given us that living classroom episode. He also gave us this finale. He gave us the Christmas episode of Season 2. So to see him nominated this year, finally, feels like all is right with the world.

I’m really happy to see Sofia Vergara nominated for “Griselda.” I was actually concerned it would get lost because of how early it came in the season, and I feel like she did really, really beautiful work. It’s good to see “Hacks” back. Thank God. Hannah [Einbinder] does such great work, and I know that they had some disruptions in schedule. I hope they have a great year. And Quinta, I’m always super happy for her. But I also wouldn’t be mad to see a 91-year-old Carol Burnett on that stage [for “Palm Royale”]. That would be something. She created the platform that we stand on right now.

Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Hacks”)

How are you all feeling this morning after seeing the “Hacks” nominations?  

Downs: We’re feeling over the moon and thrilled. 

Aniello: We’re really happy. It just feels so nice to know that your peers and people that you see around town and whose work your respect actually like your work. It feels really special.  

Paul, this is your first acting nomination for your role as Jimmy, how does it feel to receive that? 

Downs: I am over the moon. It’s crazy. It’s all the things that Lucia said and more. I’m really touched by it. 

Who were the first people you all talked to about the nominations? 

Aniello: Well, Paul and I were together, so we told our 2-year-old son. 

Downs: Yeah, he doesn’t quite get the gravity. 

Aniello: We tried to impart on him the importance of the Television Academy, and he’s starting to get it. 

Have you gotten to speak to Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart, who were nominated for their roles as Ava and Deborah Vance? 

Statsky: Yeah, we’ve been texting with them. All our cast and crew and everyone nominated, we’ve all been texting. Everyone is so overjoyed and happy, and just feels really honored that the show, in its third season, was seen like this and given this honor by the Academy. It’s really, really nice.  

What’s going on in your group chat?  

Downs: There’s a lot of cartwheel and tear emojis going around. 

Statsky: Yeah, it’s a pretty emoji heavy day. 

Aniello: There’s a lot of crowns being thrown around. 

What other projects or people were you happy to see nominated?  

Aniello: I gotta say, I’m really happy that “Slow Horses” has gotten some recognition, because we just finished the third season, it was so good. 

Downs: It was so good. Such an excellent show.  

Aniello: Maya Erskine, as well. Another one of our faves. 

Statsky: I really loved “Baby Reindeer,” so I was happy to see that get all the love.  

What’s up next for “Hacks”? 

Statsky: We left Season 3 where obviously Deborah and Ava are in a place we’ve never seen that relationship before. In Season 4, they’re on the biggest stage they’ve ever been on. Deborah got her dream show, but they have to make it work through all their tension and all the drama. It’s the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced. 

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (“Hacks”) 

This is your third time being nominated for “Hacks,” and could lead to your third win. What was your reaction when you saw you were nominated? 

I’m so happy. This show has been such an incredible gift. It was just kind of handed to me on a silver platter and I’m still so grateful for everything about it and for every single person I work with. I know people who’ve been on series where it was not a particularly pleasant situation for years, and I’m thinking, “I couldn’t bear that.” I don’t know how people do that. And this has been extraordinary. Every single person, their kindness and the love and the support and the lack of ego and the talent. It’s been amazing. I’m so lucky. 

“Hacks” went home with 17 nominations today, including one for your co-star, Hannah Einbinder. Have you had a chance to speak with her or anyone from the cast and crew?  

Yeah, [Hannah and I] said, ‘Okay, now we have to think about what to wear.”  

“Hacks” was renewed for a fourth season in May, and Season 3 left us with a big falling out between Deborah and Ava. What can we expect for the new season? 

Oh, my God, I don’t know. I don’t ask so I’ll be surprised. We will see some scripts probably in a few weeks [and enter production] the last week in September. 

Are there any shows or actors you’ve been following that you’re excited to see get their nominations? 

I love “Only Murders in the Building.” I would love to see either Steve Martin or Martin Short win. That would be really fun. I’m just excited to see them that night. I hope they’re both there. I love “Abbott Elementary” and “Baby Reindeer.” In fact, last week, I got an email from Richard Gadd because my producing partner and I were wanting to talk to him about possibly collaborating with us on something. And I got a lovely email from him. That was very exciting, because I think what he did with that show was just stunning.  

Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series (“Lessons In Chemistry”) 

Congrats on your first Emmy nomination. What was your reaction upon hearing the news?  

I was on Emmys.com watching the telecast. My husband and my son, we were all watching and waiting for them to announce the supporting cast. I had no idea that they weren’t going to do it then. We were standing there, very confused. And I had all these missed messages and calls from friends and family and my manager and agent being like, “You’ve been nominated for an Emmy.” I was like, “How do you all know before me?” We just burst into tears and started screaming, and then my son started screaming because he didn’t understand why we were screaming. It was just utter chaos and joy and wonder and delight. This is definitely one of the best moments of my life.  

“Lessons In Chemistry” scored 10 nominations total, including honors for your co-stars Lewis Pullman and Brie Larson. Have you had a chance to speak with them since the nominations were released? 

Brie was actually one of the first people to message me. It was just so wonderful, especially from her, because she was a producer on the project and the lead. She really led the way and made all of us feel like this was ours. It was just so wonderful to work with her, so to get a message from her immediately, I was already a crying wreck seeing the messages, but it added to it in an enormously wonderful way. We all been messaging each other. Words are really difficult right now in the midst of so much joy, 

When you do other series, you never really know where it’s going or what’s going to happen. You don’t really know what you’re signing up for. And with this, it was such a cherished book, and a book I love myself. To see what they wanted to do with these characters, the way they wanted to have this story unfold and to have that closure to tell this whole story in its totality, and do it well, felt so satisfying. I’m so happy we did it that way and stuck to it. For audiences to come, whoever watches this in the future, it’ll be meaningful because there’s no cliffhanger at the end. Like, here’s the story. 

What’s next for you? 

I have never been so fully in the present moment in my life. For me, what is next is celebrating this life-changing event. As actors, we do this work and it’s always wonderful to be acknowledged. But, of course, that’s not the reason why you do it. But when these moments come along and people watch your work and want to acknowledge you and celebrate you, there is something so wonderful about that. The Emmys is such a treasured tradition, and so to be a part of that, to join the league of actors that have been considered and to be forever known as Emmy-nominated Aja Naomi King, my heart is bursting. I’m coming to terms with that. That is my reality and I love it so much. I’m just so utterly grateful.