Game of Thrones is a big favorite at the Emmys — based on its first six seasons alone, it’s already garnered 38 statues, more than any other drama in history*, and it still has two ceremonies to go! Because of the timing of season 7, the show wasn’t eligible for the 2017 ceremony, but 2018 is different. All seven episodes of the show’s seventh season will be in play at the 70th Annual Emmy Awards come September 17.
- “Dragonstone”
The show has taken this award for two years running, and it’s kind of hard to believe it won’t happen again. I mean, did you see Dragonstone?
Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
- Game of Thrones
The show has been nominated in this category six out of six times, but it only won after season 5. There weren’t many new characters in season 7, so we don’t see Nina Gold and her team taking home a second statue, terrific as they are.
Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series (One Hour)
- “Dragonstone”
- “The Queen’s Justice”
- “The Spoils of War”
- “Beyond the Wall”
This is another category where the show has been nominated multiple times, although weirdly, it’s never won. The cinematography in season 7 was certainly worth a win, but you could have said that about any season of the show.
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes
- “Beyond the Wall”
Sometimes the show wins this award, sometimes it doesn’t. Will Daenerys’ furry white coat bring it home?
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
- “The Queen’s Justice”
- “The Spoils of War”
- “Beyond the Wall”
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
David Nutter won this award for “Mother’s Mercy” and Miguel Sapochnik for “Battle of the Bastards.” I could see Matt Shakman or Jeremy Podeswa taking it for “The Spoils of War” or “The Dragon and the Wolf” respectively.
Outstanding Hairstyling For A Single-Camera Series
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
This submission came with a description:
"Took care of 55 wigs plus 10 back pieces used on main cast in addition to cuts and colours on cast’s own hair. Also produce stunt and picture doubles for most cast as well as keeping continuity over 6 months, working between 3 countries: Northern Ireland, Spain and Iceland. The crowd team works on over 7,000 background artists, all with very distinctive looks; styles requiring wigs and hair pieces."
Even with all that work, Game of Thrones has never taken home an award for hair.
Outstanding Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
Again, an interesting description:
"Sculpting materials used freehand with art work and blood products to create open wounds and bruises. Contact lenses, old age stipple, tooth decay, broken veins and dirty down techniques used to create dead, decayed weathered and wounded effects. Collodion and scar making material for aged scars. Laidon hair, partial and full hair-lace beards and moustaches. Petroleum wax and snow effects used to recreate freezing conditions."
Game of Thrones has won this award the last few years. Expect a repeat.
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Limited Series, Movie Or Special
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
This time the description is itemized:
"Hero Wight: Full head and hands silicone appliances. Dentures, contact lenses, lace hair pieces, facial hair punching. Body pieces glued to leotard with green negative space for VFX removal. Night King and 5 White Walkers: Each consisting of 9 silicone appliances, dentures, contact lenses, lace hair pieces. Approx 35 Wights: Silicone facial appliances. The Hound: Silicone burn makeup. LittleFinger: Silicone throat slash appliance with blood tubing. 2 Giant Wights: Silicone head and hands makeup"
Game of Thrones has won this award on and off, but it’s been winning lately. Three cheers for the Hero Wight!
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
- Kit Harington
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
- Emilia Clarke
Okay, here we go…this is the first time anyone from Game of Thrones has been nominated in the “Lead Actor” or “Lead Actress” categories. Before, everyone was grouped in the Supporting categories. Will this gamble pay off and nab a win for Harington or Clarke, or will they be edged out by what will surely be fierce competition?
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Peter Dinklage
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Lena Headey
- Sophie Turner
- Maisie Williams
To this day, the only person on Game of Thrones to ever win an Emmy for acting is Peter Dinklage, who won after both seasons 1 and 5. Is this the year someone else takes home the Best Supporting statue? Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in particular was very strong this past season…
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
- Diana Rigg
If she gets the nomination (and she will), this will be the fourth time Diana Rigg has been up for this award, and I’m calling it now: she’s going to win. This was her last time on the show, and she gave arguably her series-best performance in her death scene. C’mon, Emmy voters; it’s time.
This one also comes with a description, for extra effect:
"When Olenna lost her son and grandchildren to Cersei Lannister, she lost her family’s future. Now she lives only for revenge. She allies with Daenerys Targaryen to destroy Cersei, but underestimates Cersei’s cunning. Ambushed and dying, Olenna delivers one final blow: Cersei took Olenna’s son, but Olenna took hers first."
Yeah she did.
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series
- “The Queen’s Justice”
- “The Spoils of Wars”
- “Beyond the Wall”
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
The show took home this award in seasons 5 and 6 for “The Dance of Dragons” and “Battle of the Bastards.” The editors behind “The Spoils of War” could do it again.
Outstanding Short Form Variety Series
- Gay of Thrones
No, this isn’t actually an award for Game of Thrones, but I hope we can all agree that Gay of Thrones deserves the recognition:
Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)
- “The Spoils of War”
Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)
- “Beyond the Wall”
In the sound categories, the show has won some and lost some. Let’s hope for more wins.
Outstanding Special Visual Effects
- “Beyond the Wall”
Game of Thrones is pretty much guaranteed to win this, but surely I’m not the only one who thought “The Spoils of War” was more visually impressive?
Outstanding Stunt Coordination For A Drama Series, Limited Series Or Movie
- Game of Thrones
This is another guaranteed win. The stunt coordinators set a record number of extras on fire for the Loot Train Attack sequence. Just give them their award.
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
- “The Dragon and the Wolf”
Considering the sheer number of characters David Benioff and Dan Weiss had to handle for “The Dragon and the Wolf,” that’s definitely the episode to nominate for this category. Those two have won this award for the past two seasons, for “Mother’s Mercy” and “Battle of the Bastards.” Will this make it a trifecta?
Outstanding Drama Series
- Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones won the biggest award of the night after seasons 5 and 6. Will season 7 continue the streak?
If you want to see what else was submitted, here’s the full directory. Here’s hoping Game of Thrones gets a boatload of nominations come tomorrow.
Next: Rumor: HBO also making a Game of Thrones prequel about the Valyrian empire
To stay up to date on everything Game of Thrones, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels
*Game of Thrones may be the most decorated drama in the history of the Emmys, but it still trails well behind the most decorated show in Emmy history: Saturday Night Live, which has earned 64 statues over the course of over 40 seasons. Kinda hard to top that.