Emmy Nominations 2019: Kit Harington, Joey King, Christina Applegate, and More Nominees React

Emmy Nominations 2019: Kit Harington, Joey King, Christina Applegate, and More Nominees React

The 2019 Emmy Awards nominees are basking in the warm glow of recognition.

The cast and creators of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel all shared statements with PEOPLE.

“Everyone here at The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – cast, crew and writers – are stunned, thrilled, and so grateful for the 20 Emmy Nominations we received today. The company we’re keeping in our categories this year is stellar and we are incredibly humbled. That being said, we have all collectively decided that from now on, we will be absolutely impossible to deal with,” said Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino.

“I’m wildly grateful and absolutely thrilled to be invited back to the party, alongside some of my favorite performers and performances of the year. I can’t wait to celebrate so many different members of our Maisel family at work today!” added star Rachel Brosnahan.

On Tuesday, The Masked Singer judge and Dr. Ken star Ken Jeong teamed up with The Good Place star D’Arcy Carden to announce which small-screen stars wowed the industry this year — and the reactions are already pouring in.

“Many thanks to the Academy,” said Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington in a statement to PEOPLE. “It’s been an amazing journey with ol’ Jon Snow. I’m thrilled he’s been nominated.”

“The Category Is: Speechless!” said Billy Porter, who scored a nomination for Pose, in a statement to PEOPLE. “I’m so grateful to have lived long enough to see this day. POSE speaks a truth that has to power to transform hearts and minds. I’m honored and humbled to be counted in the number.”

“I’m very touched and grateful to the Academy,” said Hugh Grant, of A Very English Scandal. “Also to Stephen Frears for luring me back to TV. (And to showbiz, frankly.) Also to my wife for enduring the hair-do for four months.”

“Wow, I am 85 years old, so this comes in just the nick of time,” said Alan Arkin, nominated for The Kominsky Method, in a statement.

Glow‘s Betty Gilpin reacted to her outstanding supporting actress in a comedy nomination with a statement. “Having spent 32 years basing my personality on fear and sarcasm, the unbridled Shirley-Temple-on-crack joy I feel today is a massive inconvenience for me,” she said. “I’m so grateful to the Television Academy for this honor, and to Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch for making dreams I didn’t even know I had come true. I am a humbled, teary mess, and also thank you, mom.”

Ben Stiller, nominated for his direction work in Escape at Dannemora, told PEOPLE in a statement: “Thank you to the Television Academy for recognizing Escape at Dannemora with these incredible nominations. We had so many dedicated artists giving their all on the series, both in front of and behind the camera—so to be celebrated this morning in this way is truly gratifying. Thank you to Showtime for being such incredible partners on this journey, and to the people of the North Country and Clinton Correctional, who helped invariably in bringing this story to life.”

Jessica Lange, nominated for American Horror Story: Apocalypse, said: “I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to recreate this wild character, to work with my dear friend Sarah Paulson as a director, and to revisit this incredible world Ryan Murphy created. Thank you to the Academy.”

Jessica Lange in American Horror Story | FX
Jessica Lange in American Horror Story | FX

Ozark’s Laura Linney was happy to be recognized with her outstanding lead actress in a drama series nomination.

“I am thrilled that I somehow ended up in this group of kick ass women, who all raise the bar over and over again,” she said. “I am also especially happy for my Ozark family, Julia, and that Bateman guy.”

Bob Odenkirk, of Better Call Saul fame, was also “thrilled to get this recognition!” he said in a statement. “Thank you to the Academy and to everyone who watched our fourth season. I am so proud to be in this wonderfully written and perfectly executed show!”

“It is a privilege to do work that I love,” said Phylicia Rashad, nominated for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her work on This Is Us. “It is an honor to be acknowledged by peers in this way. Thank you, Television Academy.”

Nanette’s Hannah Gadsby cheered: “I am so grateful for the Television Academy’s warm embrace* of Nanette. (*entirely consensual, to be sure) What an honor to be nominated.”

Barry‘s Anthony Carrigan told PEOPLE in a statement: “Ok, so, this is bonkers & makes no sense to me, but if it means I get to stand among this group of incredible actors, I’ll take it! I’m over the moon to be nominated for my first Emmy — not sure it’s fully sunk in yet. Massively grateful to Bill Hader and Alec Berg for writing such a fun, unique character (and missing all my major arteries in that first episode) the magical folks at HBO, and the TV Academy for this honor. The truth is Stephen Root, Henry Winkler, Bill Hader, and Sarah Goldberg ALL getting acting nominations is the real win. I love my BARRY (pronounced “Bah-ree”) family. I’m gonna go pass out now…or just start dancing. Probably both.”

Chernobyl‘s Jared Harris said, “I am so happy for everyone involved. These nominations in so many categories speak to the excellence of Chernobyl as a whole; Craig and Johan deserve all the praise. Personally I am delighted and thrilled for Stellan & Emily, who are both magnificent. The international reception to Chernobyl took many industry insiders by surprise. My hope is that it’s impact emboldens programmers to keep taking risks to not only delight, but also challenge their audiences.”

Better Call Saul | Nicole Wilder/AMC/Sony Pictures Television
Better Call Saul | Nicole Wilder/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

“Never gets old,” said Don Cheadle in a statement. “Thanks, TV Academy and a HUGE thanks to Showtime, the entire cast, crew and creators of Black Monday. We’ll roast marshmallows on those golden wings if I bring it home.”

“I am deeply honored to receive this Emmy nomination for such an important project,” added Angela Bassett — who was nominated for outstanding narration for National Geographic’s special The Flood — in a statement. “I truly hope it will bring more much-needed attention to this rarely seen kingdom of resilient, beautiful animals in a way that inspires everyone to help protect it for years to come.”

“I am incredibly grateful to receive this nomination from the TV Academy, and even more so for the honors Escape at Dannemora earned,” said lead actor nominee Benicio Del Toro. “The cast, crew, writers, Ben Stiller and Showtime brought this unbelievable story to life and I am so proud to be a part of it. Thank you.”

This Is Us‘ Ron Cephas Jones said in a statement, “I’m humbled to be recognized by the academy again. It’s an honor to work with such an incredible cast and crew. This show means so much to so many people and I’m forever grateful to be given the opportunity to do this kind of work.”

Said Gwendoline Christie: “Playing Brienne of Tarth has truly been an honor and I am beyond grateful for this nomination. This character has changed my life and redefined the way I look at the world, women and particularly myself. Thank you to George R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, HBO and our incredible cast and crew. Lastly, apologies to my taxi driver who endured my screams, sobs and pure joy when getting this incredible news!”

“What the heck? I am stunned!” said Fosse/Verdon‘s Margaret Qualley. “I feel so honored to be nominated this morning, and alongside this crazy talented group of women. I can’t believe it! Huge congratulations to Sam and Michelle, and the entire cast; and a very special thank you to Ann Reinking, who I grew up idolizing and am completely honored to have been given the opportunity to portray. She was more generous than I ever could have hoped for in helping me prepare for this role and I am lucky to now call her my friend.”

Gwendoline Christie | Helen Sloan/HBO
Gwendoline Christie | Helen Sloan/HBO

Leah Remini, who’s Scientology And The Aftermath, was nominated for outstanding informational series or special, gave a statement to PEOPLE:

“Thank you so much to the Television Academy for this honor, and for once again continuing to recognize our show,” she said. “This wouldn’t be possible without A&E and our amazing crew and producers. As a result of making this show, they get harassed, stalked and slandered every day for giving a platform to Scientology’s victims. We are grateful to be given the opportunity to share a project with the world that gives a voice to the victims of an abusive cult. Thank you for this recognition and for your support for those who bravely speak out and are continually attacked by Scientology for doing so.”

John Leguizamo, a nominee for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series for When They See Us, dedicated his nomination to the parents of the Central Park 5 depicted in the Netflix movie. “This nomination is not for me, but for the parents of the innocent children who have been put through the unimaginable — just because their vulnerable children were unjustly accused of a crime by racial profiling, and how almost impossible it was to clear themselves,” he said in a statement.

Lead Actress nominee Aunjanue Ellis, also of When They See Us, has similar things to say in her statement.

“This nomination is a tribute to Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam. Let’s all say their names. Yusef’s mother, Sharonne Salaam, is nothing less than a warrior for her son and a survivor of an emotional violence few of us will ever understand. I am utterly grateful to her. Thank you to the visionary Ava DuVernay and Netflix for giving me the blessing to be a part of this act of restorative justice.”

“I fell in love with this cast and crew immediately and felt an even deeper bond after seeing the final product,” said supporting actress nominee Marsha Stephanie Blake, of When They See Us, in a statement to PEOPLE.Being able to work alongside Ava, Michael K. Williams and the rest of this stunning cast was enough. Anything beyond that is not just the icing on the cake, it’s the party, the presents, the gift bag and the centerpiece at the main table. Thank you to the Television Academy for this centerpiece… my first Emmy nomination! I am beyond honored and humbled to have been a part of such an important story.”

And When They See Us star Vera Farmiga told PEOPLE in a statement: “Astonished by the surprising Emmy pat on my back, humbled. My heart is bursting with pride for all my When They See Us brothers and sisters and their noms. I pray that Kevin, Antron, Raymond, Korey and Yusef continue to absorb healing from this sweeping acknowledgment. Thank you to the Television Academy.”

When They See Us | Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix
When They See Us | Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

One of the sweetest reactions came from Joey King, who shared a video of herself crying when she saw she was nominated for her work in The Act. She immediately FaceTimed her on-screen mother, Patricia Arquette, who was also nominated in the same category.

“I cannot believe this is happening,” she said on Twitter. “There’s so many people to thank for this moment and getting to talk to my mom and Patricia immediately after it was announced was so special. I’m in shock.”

Arquette recalled the moment to PEOPLE in her statement.

“I was dead asleep and my phone rang and it was Joey King on FaceTime crying,” Arquette said. “But she was crying happy tears and I said ‘Did you get nominated?’ And she cried and I said, ‘What is it? Did you get nominated?’ and she shook her head yes and then she said ‘We both did!’ “

“It was such a great feeling to see her face and feel her joy she is so damn talented and she kept saying, ‘I couldn’t do it without you.’ But she could have because she is an incredible talent,” Arquette added. “Then my boyfriend came in and told me about all the nominations for Escape at Dannemora too. then Ben Stiller texted me. So it was a pretty amazing morning. Now I’m just laying here being grateful for all the talented people I have had the chance to work with and I love the work of all the actresses I am being recognized alongside, so I would say it’s as they say a ‘good day at the office.’ ”

Samantha Bee, star and executive producer of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, had this to say in a statement to PEOPLE: “It’s such an honor to be nominated with so many of my friends. I am truly grateful to the Academy for recognizing the hard work of my entire staff. It is always a group effort and any day I can order celebratory cake to be delivered to the office is a good day. See you in LA!”

Conan O’Brien, star and executive producer of CONAN, said this: “I have an excellent staff and I’m very happy to see them recognized with 3 Emmy Nominations. Next stop: the Latin Grammys.”

Here’s what Amy Sedaris, star and creator of At Home with Amy Sedaris, said: “It’s always nice to be invited to a party! Thanks so much to the Television Academy for nominating us again and everyone at truTV, the writers, cast and crew for making our show possible. I must admit this year’s Emmy nomination is slightly bittersweet – I had my eye on hosting.”

Samantha Bee | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Samantha Bee | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

In a statement, Bear Grylls, host and executive producer of National Geographic’s Hostile Planet, nominated for three Emmys including outstanding documentary or nonfiction series, said: “It’s been so inspiring to be part of Hostile Planet, a series unlike any other that I’ve been involved in before. There’s no doubt that it shines new light on how unforgiving and challenging life can be for animals at the toughest of times. I’m incredibly grateful to the Television Academy for honoring my role in this groundbreaking series and to National Geographic for the privilege of being able to guide viewers through these powerful, and at times shocking stories of survival.”

Phil Rosenthal of Somebody Feed Phil told PEOPLE in a statement: “I’m thrilled for our team who work so hard trying to make me look sexy. The best thing about this is that hopefully I get to keep working with my friends, my family, meeting new families around the world, and eating all their food.”

“We are grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing RENT among its Emmy nominations this morning. It was a joyous experience gathering together members of the original Broadway creative team with our talented young cast in presenting this beloved musical to a wider audience, and we congratulate the entire team for their stellar work,” said Rent Live‘s Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Julie Larson.

“It’s a huge honor to be nominated amongst such great company, and we are thrilled to see Chef’s Table continue to receive recognition as the show has evolved over the years. We are beyond grateful – to Netflix for believing in us, and to our chefs for sharing their lives with us and the world,” said Chef’s Table creator and EP David Gelb.

Bandersnatch | Netflix
Bandersnatch | Netflix

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch‘s Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones gave their own Emmy Awards reactions.

“We’re honored and delighted on behalf of everyone who worked on Bandersnatch (and our selfish selves) to have received this nomination, alongside such formidable company,” they said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Michael Tolkin and Brett Johnson, creators and showrunners of Escape at Dannemora, issued a statement to PEOPLE, too. “Telling the story of three people and the community they tore apart was a challenge and a thrill for three and a half years of our lives, so to have it recognized by the Television Academy is an incredible joy,” they said. “And it is a special honor to be nominated alongside such groundbreaking Limited Series. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our partners at Showtime for allowing us tell this true story in uncompromising detail. We had the good fortune of working with actors who brought depth and humanity to deeply flawed characters and writing with our fellow nominee Jerry Stahl was a true joy. Our collaboration with Ben Stiller was a true partnership and his tireless devotion to detail in storytelling elevated the material, and we couldn’t agree more emphatically with the Academy’s recognition of his excellent work.”

Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi reacted on his nomination in Emmys’ outstanding music composition for a series (original dramatic score) category. “Composing for Game of Thrones has been a remarkable experience,” Djawadi said in a statement. “It is hard to say goodbye after eight incredible seasons, but I am so proud of everything that the show, cast and crew have accomplished along the way. Being a part of this amazing journey has been an honor.”

“What an honor! It has always been my dream to have my quote included in a roundup of Emmy nominee reactions in an entertainment industry press outlet such as this one!” said BoJack Horseman showrunner Raphael Bob-Waksberg.

Mars
Mars

See more reactions below:

A host for this year’s show has yet to be announced. Last year was helmed by Saturday Night Live‘s co-head writers Michael Che and Colin Jost, the first duo to host since Jenna Elfman and David Hyde Pierce in 1999.

The Emmy Awards recognize excellence within various areas of television and emerging media. The Emmy Award is a symbol of peer recognition from more than 23,000 voting members of the Television Academy.

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Fox from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 22 starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.