The Emmy nominations are out, and Game of Thrones got a lot of love for its final season. In fact, the show broke records with its astonishing 32 nods. Among the nominees are a bevy of the series’ incredible acting ensemble. Competing for the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama prize is Gwendoline Christie, who played Brienne of Tarth, on the HBO epic.
When it came to getting Emmy consideration, Gwendoline Christie (who is hopeful for a future reunion) had to strike out on her own. The actress was not placed into contention by HBO. The network confirmed to CBS News that Christie self-submitted herself and she was not alone. Some of Game of Thrones' other stars had to do so, as well.
Alfie Allen, who portrayed Theon Greyjoy, as well as Melisandre actress Carice Van Houten, both self-submitted. Doing so did not come without a lightening of the wallet. All three had to pay to get it done. It cost Allen, Van Houten, and Christie, a $225 entry fee to do so, per THR.
The pay off on the incredible feeling of getting nominated undoubtedly made it worthwhile. Of the Game of Thrones actresses nominated in her category, Gwendoline Christie is up against Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark).
Alfie Allen landed a nomination in the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama category. Among those nominated, he will be in contention with two of his Game of Thrones co-stars for the win. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) are among the seven actors who garnered nods.
Carice Van Houten, who played the Red Witch, Melisandre, earned a nomination in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series category. She is the only Game of Thrones actress nominated for that award. Van Houten appeared in a single episode of the final season. Her character returned in a significant way that altered the course of the Battle of Winterfell.
Interestingly, the actors who portrayed Brienne, Jaime, and Cersei all got Emmy nods. On the show, the characters were embroiled in a doomed triangle. In other trivia, Carice Van Houten and Alfie Allen’s characters both died during the Battle of Winterfell episode.
I am thrilled for the trio. Gwendoline Christie’s performance when Brienne finally became a knight was one of the stunning early highlights. Alfie Allen brought a final moving performance as one of Game of Thrones’ most complex characters, Theon Greyjoy. In her last bow, Carice Van Houten imbued crucial nuance to Melisandre’s abbreviated final arc.
It is a bit surprising that HBO did not want to recognize these performances, but excitement over the actors’ investment paying off is high. It will be interesting to see who wins. No matter the thoughts and feelings surrounding Game of Thrones’ ending, I am thrilled for the cast. It was the last chance for them to get acknowledged, and they earned it.
If you want to relive all of the nominees' terrific performances, you can already do so on digital. While you wait to see if Game of Thrones wins those Emmys, there are loads of summer premieres to enjoy.
