The Emmy nominations were announced today, and it looks like this year has a chance to be very, very queer!
Of course, shows like Ted Lasso, Succession, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all of which ended this year, got a bulk of nominations, but even those shows gave us some queer nominees!
And while some of the best TV shows of the year (like Dead Ringers and A League of Their Own) were shut out, a lot of our other favorite shows did score plenty of nominations.
Shows with queer characters and storylines also dominated the Oustanding Comedy and Drama Series categories. In Comedy Series, Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Only Murders in the Building, and Ted Lasso all had significant queer characters in the latest season. For Dramas, Andor, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and Yellowjackets all have good queer characters.
The Emmys are supposed to take place this September, but due to the writer’s strike and impending actor’s strike, they will likely be delayed.
Here are the queer nominees we’ll be rooting for when the 2023 Emmys eventually do happen.
"All About Me" from 'The L Word: Generation Q's "Questions for the Universe" Episode — Original Song and Lyrics
The L Word: Generation Q scored its first Emmy nomination in the Song and Lyrics category for the song “All About Me” from its musical episode! The song, performed by Rosanny Zayas as the character Sophie Suarez, was written by Heather McIntosh, Taura Stinson, and Allyson Newman.
Evan Peters as Jeffrey Dahmer in 'Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' — Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Despite the controversy surrounding the series, and its depiction of queer serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and his victims, Peters’ performance has been widely praised and he earned his second Emmy nomination.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie in 'The Last of Us' — Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Bella Ramsey is bringing some nonbinary representation to the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. The young actor brought weight and character to Ellie, a teen girl trying to survive the apocalypse.
Dominique Fishback as Dre in 'Swarm' — Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Fishback is the youngest nominee in the category for playing the complicated superfan Dre in this Beyhive-inspired show.
Anthony Carrigan as Noho Hank in 'Barry' — Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Barry got a ton of nominations this year, and Carrigan got nominated for the first time for playing gay mobster Noho Hank.
Murray Bartlett as Nick De Noia in 'Welcome to Chippendales' — Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Bartlett is up for two Emmys this year. The first is for his role as Nick De Noia in Welcome to Chippendales. He won the Emmy in 2022 in the category for The White Lotus.
Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson in 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' and Juno Temple as Keeley Jones in 'Ted Lasso' — Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
In the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, Alex Borstein was nominated for playing lesbian talent manager Susie Myerson in the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Juno Temple picked up her third nomination for playing Keeley Jones in Ted Lasso, who had a queer romance in the final season.
Sabrina Impacciatore as Valentina in 'The White Lotus' and Aubrey plaza as Harper in 'The White Lotus — Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series also features multiple nominees from The White Lotus, including Jennifer Coolidge as the iconic Tanya McQuoid, queer actress Aubrey Plaza as Harper, and Sabrina Impacciatore as lesbian hotel manager Valentina.
Niecy Nash-Betts as Glenda Cleveland in in 'Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story' — Supporting ACtress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Niecy Nash-Betts continues her brilliant career with another Emmy nomination, this time for playing Jeffrey Dahmer’s neighbor Glenda Cleveland in Dahmer.
Nathan Lane as Teddy Dimas in 'Only Murders in the Building' — Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
The legendary Nathan Lane is nominated for his eighth Emmy, and for his second for playing Teddy Dimas in Only Murders in the Building.
Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman as Frank and Bill in 'The Last of Us' — Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Both Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett were nominated for their incredible performances as Bill and Frank in The Last of Us episode “Long, Long Time.” It’s Bartlett’s second nomination this year.
Cherry Jones as Nan pierce in 'Succession' and Storm Reid as Riley in 'The Last of Us' — Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Succession got a ton of nominations, and one went to lesbian actor Cherry Jones for playing Nan Pierce in a Guest Actress role. Another nomination in the Guest Actress category went to Storm Reid for playing Riley, a teen girl who shares her first kiss with Bella Ramsey’s Ellie in The Last of Us.
The 'Queer Eye' Fab Five/Nicole byer from 'Nailed It!'/RuPaul from 'Drag Race'/Keke Palmer from 'Password'
In the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Game Show categories there are several queer nominees. The Queer Eye crew, Nailed It!’s Nicole Byer, and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s RuPaul all scored nominations in the Reality category, and Keke Palmer got a nomination in the Game Show category for hosting Password.
Fire Island
Joel Kim Booster’s gay update of Pride and Prejudice was nominated in the Outstanding Television Movie category where it will go against Hocus Pocus 2, Prey, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas.
'Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium'/'Lizzo! Live in Concert'/'Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer'
The Variety Special category also filled with queer talent, including Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, Lizzo! Live In Concert, and Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer.
'Queer Eye'/'RuPaul's Drag Race'/'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked'
Each of the three Reality Program categories (Structured, Unstructured, and Competition) has one major queer show, with Queer Eye, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, and RuPaul’s Drag Race each getting nominated.
'The White Lotus'/'Fire Island'/'The Other Two's "Cary & Brooke Go to an AIDS Play" Episode
In the writing categories, Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider were nominated for their Other Two episode “Cary & Brooke Go to An AIDS Play” in Comedy; Mike White (last year’s winner) was nominated for writing The White Lotus in Drama, where he’ll go up against The Last of Us’ “Long, Long Time.” Finally, Joel Kim Booster got an Emmy nomination for writing Fire Island.