Special Report

Most Popular Emmy Nominated Shows

Courtesy of HBO

Each year the Emmy awards are presented to “recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media,” according to the Television Academy. Excellence presents itself in programs both large and small, and many of the shows nominated for awards this year are lesser-known programs or niche specials. The most highly anticipated awards will be those coveted by the widely watched series that viewers love the most.

The 71st Emmy Awards will be held this year on Sunday, September 22, on FOX. For many television fans, the ceremony will offer a chance to see the cast and crew behind their favorite programs win awards for their work.

24/7 Tempo has identified the 50 most popular shows nominated for awards at this year’s Emmys, based on the number of user ratings on the movie and television info site Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the overall rating for each series, and the number of views each show’s Wikipedia page has received over the past year.

Some of the most popular Emmy-nominated shows have been on the air for years thanks to their large followings. Many of these programs have already won numerous Emmy awards and been nominated frequently over the years. These are the TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time.

Other shows have been on the air for much shorter amounts of time but have still drawn attention for their exceptional quality. Shows including “Fleabag,” “Chernobyl,” and “The Umbrella Academy” only received their first nominations this year yet rank among the most popular programs. These shows appear on Amazon, Netflix, and HBO. Here are the best original HBO series.

Click here to see the most popular Emmy nominated shows

To identify the 50 most popular Emmy-nominated shows, 24/7 Tempo developed an index based on the number of IMDb ratings, the overall user rating, and Wikipedia page views for TV shows nominated for at least one Emmy award this year. Overall ratings for TV series were used for episodes nominated separately. Total Wikipedia page views cover the past 12 months.

A nonprofit organization, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the Television Academy) runs the Emmy Awards, an annual event. This year, 191 programs received at least one nomination. Past Emmy wins and nominations were obtained from the Emmy website.

Courtesy of Fox

50. Bob’s Burgers
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 2 wins / 9 nominations
> Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman

“Bob’s Burgers,” a cartoon revolving around family man Bob Belcher’s dream restaurant, has won two Emmy awards over its 10-season run. Both of these awards were for Outstanding Animated Program — the same award it is nominated for this year.

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Courtesy of National Geographic Documentary Films

49. Free Solo
> IMDb rating: 8.2/10
> Current nominations: 7
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Alex Honnold, Tommy Caldwell, Jimmy Chin

“Free Solo” is a documentary about rock climber Alex Honnold who works without ropes or safety gear. Produced in part by National Geographic, the film won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature this year. It also had its television premiere on the National Geographic Channel, making it eligible for its seven Emmy nominations this year.

Courtesy of Hulu

48. Catch-22
> IMDb rating: 7.9.0/10
> Current nominations: 2
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, Daniel David Stewart

The limited series whose stars include George Clooney retells Joseph Heller’s satirical novel about American airmen in World War II. The comedy/drama has been nominated for two Emmy awards.

Courtesy of Netflix

47. Grace and Frankie
> IMDb rating: 8.3/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 10 nominations
> Starring: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston

Netflix sitcom “Grace and Frankie” has been on air for five seasons, with a sixth planned for 2020. Over this period it’s been nominated for 10 Emmys, though failed to win any. It has a chance this year to win with its 11th nomination, which is for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes.

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Courtesy of NBCUniversal Television Distribution

46. Will & Grace
> IMDb rating: 7.2/10
> Current nominations: 3
> Past Emmy performance: 18 wins / 88 nominations
> Starring: Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally

After a 12-year hiatus, the sit-com that debuted in 1998 returned and resumed adding Emmy nominations. The series has 18 wins so far.

Courtesy of Neon

45. Three Identical Strangers
> IMDb rating: 7.7/10
> Current nominations: 3
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Robert Shafran, Michael Domnitz, Howard Schneider

“Three Identical Strangers” is a documentary directed by Tim Wardle about three young men who were all adopted who meet in New York in 1980 and discover they’re triplets separated at birth. Their attempt to discover why becomes a dark journey to the truth.

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Courtesy of NBC

44. The Blacklist
> IMDb rating: 8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 1 wins / 6 nominations
> Starring: James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff

The cat-and-mouse drama that sometimes pits the FBI against an elusive master criminal (James Spader) has been nominated for seven Emmy awards and won one since the series debuted in 2013.

Courtesy of Hulu

43. Castle Rock
> IMDb rating: 7.7/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård

The series, which debuted last year, is based on stories by prolific fright-meister Stephen King centers around characters from the fictional town Castle Rock. Oscar-nominated composter Thomas Newman was nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for “Castle Rock.”

Courtesy of CBS Television Studios

42. The Twilight Zone
> IMDb rating: 5.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 3 wins / 7 nominations
> Starring: Jordan Peele, David Epstein, Shalyn Ferdinand

The reboot of Rod Serling’s groundbreaking series that explored the unexplained and macabre stars Jordan Peele (“Get Out”). Kumail Nanjiani received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

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Courtesy of Netflix

41. The Ranch
> IMDb rating: 7.6/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 1 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Debra Winger, Sam Elliott

Netflix’s blue-collar sitcom “The Ranch” tells the story of Colorado-based ranching family the Bennetts. While the show features the talent of actors such as Sam Elliott, Debra Winger, and Ashton Kutcher, its three Emmy nominations — and one win — have been for cinematography.

Courtesy of KVH Media Group

40. Ray Donovan
> IMDb rating: 8.3/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 1 wins / 9 nominations
> Starring: Liev Schreiber, Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok

The drama that debuted in 2013 stars Liev Schreiber in the title role as a “fixer” for the rich and famous, who can’t fix his own problems. This year the show was nominated in the category for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One Hour)

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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution

39. Barry
> IMDb rating: 8.3/10
> Current nominations: 17
> Past Emmy performance: 3 wins / 13 nominations
> Starring: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg

In “Barry,” comedian Bill Hader plays a hit man from the Midwest who moves to Los Angeles and gets involved the city’s art scene. The show is in its third season and has three Emmy wins so far.

Courtesy of Netflix

38. A Series Of Unfortunate Events
> IMDb rating: 7.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 3
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 3 nominations
> Starring: Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Malina Weissman

Neil Patrick Harris takes on the role of the scheming Count Olaf, who is out to steal a fortune left to two orphaned children. The show ran for three seasons and is up for three Emmy awards this year.

Courtesy of Courtesy of YouTube Premium

37. Cobra Kai
> IMDb rating: 8.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 1 nominations
> Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who played martial-arts combatants in “The Karate Kid” in 1984, renew their rivalry decades later. In its third season, “Cobra Kai” has been nominated this year for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program.

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Courtesy of Passion Distribution

36. RuPaul’s Drag Race
> IMDb rating: 8.5/10
> Current nominations: 9
> Past Emmy performance: 9 wins / 20 nominations
> Starring: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Santino Rice

TV personality and drag queen RuPaul’s reality series in search of the next drag superstar is in its 11th season. The series won five Emmys last year and is up for nine this year. From 2009 to 2014, the show failed to receive a single Emmy nomination. Since then, it has received a total 29 including this year.

Courtesy of Showtime

35. Escape At Dannemora
> IMDb rating: 8.0/10
> Current nominations: 12
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano

“Escape At Dannemora” is based on a true story about an employee at a New York state prison who becomes romantically involved with two inmates and helps them escape. The seven-episode mini-series that ran last year snagged 12 Emmy award nominations, including one for Oscar winner Patricia Arquette.

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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution

34. Gotham
> IMDb rating: 7.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 1 wins / 11 nominations
> Starring: Ben McKenzie, Jada Pinkett Smith, Donal Logue

FOX’s “Gotham” is a prequel series exploring the events leading up to Bruce Wayne’s becoming Batman. The show had its finale in April 2019, marking the end of the program’s five seasons. It won one Emmy over this run (Best Visual Effects) and could potentially win its second this year for sound editing.

Courtesy of NBC

33. Blindspot
> IMDb rating: 7.4/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Jaimie Alexander, Rob Brown

NBC’s drama “Blindspot” is about a mysteriously tattooed woman who is discovered in New York City’s Times Square with amnesia. The series has been nominated for Best Stunt Coordination For A Drama Series each year beginning in 2017, but has yet to win the award.

Courtesy of Netflix

32. Love, Death & Robots
> IMDb rating: 8.6/10
> Current nominations: 2
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Scott Whyte, Nolan North, Matthew Yang King

A collection of animated short stories airing on Netflix in the genres of science fiction, horror, and comedy. The program is starting its second season and has been nominated for two Emmy awards.

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Courtesy of Netflix

31. Dead to Me
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden

Netflix has only released one season of its dark comedy series “Dead to Me” so far with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini in the lead roles. Applegate has been nominated for a Best Lead Actress award for her work on the show. While it is the first nomination connected to “Dead to Me,” it’s the actress’ career fifth nomination.

Courtesy of NBC

30. America’s Got Talent
> IMDb rating: 5.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 4 nominations
> Starring: Howie Mandel, Nick Cannon, Sharon Osbourne

Despite a nearly 14-season run, “America’s Got Talent” has only accumulated five Emmy nominations, including this year’s nod for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction. The show remains popular among viewers, however, as it is often the most viewed program in its primetime time slot.

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Courtesy of Front Row Filmed Entertainment

29. Leaving Neverland
> IMDb rating: 7.0/10
> Current nominations: 5
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Michael Jackson, Wade Robson, Joy Robson

The four-hour HBO documentary that aired in March was about two men who alleged pop-star Michael Jackson sexually molested them when they were boys. “Leaving Neverland” has been nominated for five Emmy awards.

Courtesy of NBC

28. Saturday Night Live
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 18
> Past Emmy performance: 67 wins / 252 nominations
> Starring: Kate McKinnon, Darrell Hammond, Kenan Thompson

“Saturday Night Live” is the fourth-longest running show in television history, and with President Trump providing a trove of comedy material to work with, the series shows no signs of ending its nearly 44-year run. SNL has more Emmy nominations, 270, than any other show, and has taken home 67 Emmy statuettes.

Courtesy of Netflix

27. BoJack Horseman
> IMDb rating: 8.6/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 1 nominations
> Starring: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie

The quirky cartoon “BoJack Horseman” has been a hit for Netflix, earning five seasons with a sixth on the way. It was nominated for Best Animated Program at this year’s Emmys — specifically for the episode “Free Churro,” which has an exceptional 9.8 out of 10 rating on IMDb.

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Courtesy of BBC

26. Fleabag
> IMDb rating: 8.6/10
> Current nominations: 11
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman

The Amazon original series is a comedy about a woman living London who is coping with tragedy. The series debuted in 2017 and was not nominated for an Emmy until this year when it snagged 11 nominations. “Fleabag” creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been nominated for an Emmy five times.

Courtesy of Netflix

25. Big Mouth
> IMDb rating: 8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 1 nominations
> Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein

Netflix’s animated series “Big Mouth” has featured numerous comedic heavy weights including Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, and Jordan Peele. It’s been nominated for its second-ever Emmy this year for Best Animated Program for the episode “The Planned Parenthood Show” — the fifth episode of its second season.

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Courtesy of Netflix

24. Orange Is The New Black
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 4 wins / 19 nominations
> Starring: Taylor Schilling, Danielle Brooks, Taryn Manning

The seven-season series that aired on Netflix was about a well-heeled New Yorker chucked into a women’s prison after she gets picked up for a past crime. The show has garnered 20 nominations and four wins since it debuted in 2013.

Courtesy of ITV Studios Global Entertainment

23. Schitt’s Creek
> IMDb rating: 8.2/10
> Current nominations: 4
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy

“Schitt’s Creek” follows the once-wealthy Rose clan as they navigate their lives in rural Schitt’s Creek following the loss of their fortune. While the show has run for five seasons thus far, it has only just received Emmy nods this year. These include Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress nominations for Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.

Courtesy of Paramount Television

22. SpongeBob SquarePants
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 9 nominations
> Starring: Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke

Television’s most popular animated aquatic sea creature, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has been nominated 10 times for an Emmy — including this year’s nomination — but has yet to win one since the cartoon debuted in 1999. The program was nominated for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program in 2019.

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Courtesy of 20th Television

21. The Orville
> IMDb rating: 7.9.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald

Created by and starring Seth MacFarlane — the man behind “Family Guy” — sci-fi show “The Orville” combines comedy and drama to create a unique series. It’s been nominated for its first Emmy this year for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for its episode “Identity Part II.” The episode was viewed by some critics as being thematically — and somewhat uncharacteristically — dark.

Courtesy of CBS Television Distribution

20. Star Trek: Discovery
> IMDb rating: 7.4/10
> Current nominations: 4
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp

“Star Trek: Discovery,” which has run for three seasons, takes place 10 years before the exploits of Kirk and Spock as Starfleet encounters new lifeforms and civilizations. Among its four Emmy nominations this year, “Star Trek: Discovery” was nominated for Outstanding Special Visual Effects.

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

19. This Is Us
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Current nominations: 9
> Past Emmy performance: 3 wins / 22 nominations
> Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown

NBC’s heartwarming series about a couple and their set of triplets — told at different points in time — has entertained audiences since 2016, earning a notable 8.7 out of 10 rating on IMDb. The show has also won three Emmy awards and was recognized by the Television Academy Honors in 2017.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

18. The Man In The High Castle
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 2 wins / 9 nominations
> Starring: Alexa Davalos, Luke Kleintank, Rufus Sewell

“The Man In The High Castle,” an Amazon Prime series, is a counterfactual history series based on a book by Philip Dick that considers what the world would look if the Axis powers had won World War II. The series has two wins and has been nominated for an Emmy 10 times.

Courtesy of Amazon Studios

17. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
> IMDb rating: 8.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 20
> Past Emmy performance: 8 wins / 14 nominations
> Starring: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub

The Amazon Prime series about a 1950s housewife who enters the world of comedy has two seasons under its belt with a third on the way. Despite the show’s relatively short existence it has already won eight Emmy awards, including Best Comedy Series in 2018. It’s been nominated for the same award this year and 19 others, the most nominations for any comedy series.

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Courtesy of Cartoon Network

16. Family Guy
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 2
> Past Emmy performance: 7 wins / 25 nominations
> Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green

Irreverent cartoon comedy “Family Guy” premiered 20 years ago and will soon begin its 18th season. Over this period it’s picked up a total of seven Emmy wins, four of which were for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance. The series has been nominated for two more awards in this field this year, for actors Alex Borstein and Seth MacFarlane.

Courtesy of Netflix

15. When They See Us
> IMDb rating: 9.0/10
> Current nominations: 16
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse

The four-episode limited series on Netflix recounts the story of the Central Park jogger rape case in 1989 in which five minority youths were convicted of the crime and were ultimately exonerated in 2014. The drama was directed and co-written by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay and is a scathing indictment of the justice system. The cast includes Emmy nominees and winners such as Michael K. Williams, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, and Blair Underwood.

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Courtesy of Netflix

14. House of Cards
> IMDb rating: 8.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 3
> Past Emmy performance: 7 wins / 53 nominations
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright

Political drama “House of Cards” was highly popular prior to concluding in 2018, winning a total of seven Emmy awards. Following sexual misconduct allegations against lead actor Kevin Spacey, Netflix canceled the series following its sixth season. That final season — which did not include Spacey — was poorly received among fans, with the final episode receiving a rating of 2.6 out of 10 on IMDb compared with the series’ overall rating of 8.8.

Courtesy of NBC

13. The Good Place
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 5
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper

“The Good Place,” created by Michael Schur (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Parks and Recreation”) is an NBC comedy about a woman (Kristen Bell) who passes into the afterlife and undeservedly goes to the Good Place. She uses the opportunity to earn her place in the Good Place. Included in the cast is television veteran and Emmy-nominated Ted Danson (“Cheers”) who has been nominated 17 times and has won twice.

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television

12. Better Call Saul
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Current nominations: 9
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 23 nominations
> Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks

“Better Call Saul,” scheduled to begin its fifth season on AMC in 2020, is a prequel to the runaway cable hit “Breaking Bad.” Before he links up with teacher-turned-crystal-meth dealer Walter White, Saul is Jimmy McGill, a small-time attorney struggling to succeed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Saul is played by Bob Odenkirk, who has been nominated for an Emmy 14 times and has won twice. He has been nominated this year for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama.

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Courtesy of Netflix

11. The Umbrella Academy
> IMDb rating: 8.0/10
> Current nominations: 2
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Aidan Gallagher, Ellen Page, Tom Hopper

Netflix’s superhero series “The Umbrella Academy” premiered in February 2019, yet has already become quite popular. In the past 12 months, the show’s Wikipedia page has received nearly 5 million views — more than twice that of the page for the well-established “SpongeBob SquarePants.” “The Umbrella Academy” has been nominated for two Emmy awards this year — one for special effects and one for production design.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

10. Modern Family
> IMDb rating: 8.4/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 22 wins / 81 nominations
> Starring: Ed O’Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen

The 11-season sit-com about a blended family is tied with “Frasier” for the most Emmy wins — five — for a comedy series. “Modern Family” has racked up 82 Emmy nominations, including this year’s, and has won 22 total Emmys since it debuted in 2009.

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Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television

9. The Simpsons
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Current nominations: 2
> Past Emmy performance: 33 wins / 90 nominations
> Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer

The longest-running primetime scripted series in U.S. television history, which satirizes American suburban culture, has been on Fox for almost 30 years. The series, created by Matt Groening, has rolled up 33 Emmy wins and 92 nominations

Courtesy of International Management Group

8. Killing Eve
> IMDb rating: 8.3/10
> Current nominations: 9
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw

A British agent (Sandra Oh) and assassin (Jodie Comer) engage in a cat and mouse game and, in the process, become obsessed with each other in this quirky thriller on AMC created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and star of the series “Fleabag.” “Killing Eve” will soon begin its third season, and the critically acclaimed show and audience favorite has received 11 Emmy nominations though it has yet to win a statue.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

7. American Horror Story: Apocalypse
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 5
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Lady Gaga, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett

The FX anthology series features inventive takes on classic horror locales and themes: a house with a deadly past, an insane asylum, witches, a creepy hotel, the occult, and a summer camp terrorized by a serial killer. This season is the first time the show has competed as a drama series at the Emmys, with past seasons competing as stand alone limited series. “Apocalypse” garnered five nominations, including one for Jessica Lange, who has been nominated for five Emmy awards for her work on the series’ various seasons.

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Courtesy of HBO

6. True Detective
> IMDb rating: 9.0/10
> Current nominations: 9
> Past Emmy performance: 5 wins / 13 nominations
> Starring: Mahershala Ali, Carmen Ejogo, Stephen Dorff

HBO’s gritty detective drama “True Detective” is an audience favorite, with a rating of 9 out of 10 on IMDb with more than 450,000 users voting. It’s done well at the Emmys, garnering a total of 22 nominations. It’s won five of the awards so far, for elements including casting, directing, and cinematography.

Courtesy of Hulu

5. The Handmaid’s Tale
> IMDb rating: 8.5/10
> Current nominations: 11
> Past Emmy performance: 11 wins / 33 nominations
> Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes

Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, the series that runs on Hulu presents a dystopian future in which a theocratic regime has taken over most of the United States and has put women in reproductive servitude. Since premiering in 2017, the series has posted 11 Emmy award wins.

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Courtesy of ESPN

4. 30 For 30
> IMDb rating: 8.8.0/10
> Current nominations: 1
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 2 nominations
> Starring: Ice Cube, Dick Vitale, Brent Musburger

ESPN’s documentary series debuted in 2009 and looks at significant sports events and athletes that made news between 1979 — when ESPN came on the air — and 2009 and impact they had on popular culture. The series has been nominated for three Emmy awards.

Courtesy of HBO

3. Chernobyl
> IMDb rating: 9.5/10
> Current nominations: 19
> Past Emmy performance: 0 wins / 0 nominations
> Starring: Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård

The HBO limited series “Chernobyl” dramatizes the efforts of Soviet citizens to avert disaster after an accident in 1986 involving a nuclear power plant threatens to devastate Europe. The five-part drama received 19 nominations, the most for a miniseries or limited series.

Courtesy of KVH Media Group

2. The Big Bang Theory
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Current nominations: 3
> Past Emmy performance: 10 wins / 52 nominations
> Starring: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco

The long-running sitcom about science nerds building their careers and finding love has been nominated for an Emmy 55 times and won 10 times.

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Courtesy of HBO

1. Game Of Thrones
> IMDb rating: 9.4/10
> Current nominations: 32
> Past Emmy performance: 47 wins / 128 nominations
> Starring: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” was a television sensation. Not only is the entire series highly regarded among viewers — it currently has an exceptional 9.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb — but its recent series finale set the record for all-time highest viewership for the popular network. The series has received an abundance of critical praise as well. This year alone it is nominated for 32 Emmys — the most nominations ever for a drama series in a single year. This gives the show a total of 160 nominations, which is the second most of any television series in Emmy history behind only “Saturday Night Live.”

 

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