Westworld: Jimmi Simpson on his first Emmy nomination

Jimmi Simpson has a lot to celebrate after receiving his first Emmy nomination for playing the iconic role of William on Westworld.

Westworld is up for 21 Emmy nominations this year and one of them belongs to Jimmi Simpson for his role as William. He has been nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the hit HBO series, and after being in the industry for nearly two decades, he is finally being recognized for his immeasurable talent.

Apart from Westworld, Simpson was recently seen in USA’s Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. However, it was his performance this season (specifically the first three episodes) on Westworld that landed him the Emmy nomination–and we have to say it is well deserved.

In an interview with ET, Simpson talked about how Westworld has put him in a place where he is getting more attention than ever before–not to mention party invites.

"“I’m not used to being invited to the parties, and I mean, figuratively speaking. I still don’t go to actual parties. It was quite surprising that 18 years in, all of a sudden, people were paying a little more attention. But I tell you, and I don’t say this lightly, it’s almost entirely due to Westworld.”More from WestworldAfter ChatGPT, Westworld creator thinks her show looks “like a documentary”HBO boss explains why they removed Westworld from HBO MaxThe Last of Us boss uses Westworld to explain Kathleen’s arcJames Marsden still hopes they can finish WestworldWestworld and other HBO shows headed to Roku and Tubi"

Seeing as this is Simpson’s first Emmy nomination ever, there is a lot to celebrate. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, Simpson was nominated for SAG Awards for his work on Westworld and House of Cards.

However, winning the Emmy would mean a lot for him considering the others nominated in the category with him along with the co-stars that are nominated in other categories.

"“If I were to get it, first of all, I’d be shocked and utterly grateful. But it would mean — oh, my goodness — I have been called out as one of the best things on Westworld, and Westworld is goddamn studded with brilliant actors that I’ve looked up to my entire career, doing the best work of their career. That would just be beyond reality.”"

When Simpson first joined Westworld he didn’t have as much of a following as his co-stars Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, and Evan Rachel Wood. Simpson appreciates that he was given such an important role when not many knew who he was. And he conveys this appreciation to showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy Nolan through emails often.

Simpson was nominated for the Westworld season 2 episode, “Reunion” where he confronts Dolores, and epic monologue William gives he states was “most beautiful piece I’ve worked on and the most painful.” He was unable to face Wood and both of the showrunners during this scene and would find a corner to ponder over the evolution of his character.

Best of luck to Jimmi Simpson at the Emmys–we will be rooting for you!