Three Game of Thrones stars opted to be their own cheerleaders, submitting themselves for Emmy award consideration after HBO neglected to. After eight seasons, HBO’s sprawling fantasy epic officially came to a close earlier this year. Despite the episodes including some truly impactful moments, including the shocking destruction of King’s Landing, the cultural phenomenon went out on an underwhelming whimper as far as many fans were concerned. Some even went as far as to sign a petition begging HBO to remake season 8 without showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Members of the cast have since come out in defense of the final season.

Despite the backlash from fans, including the likes of William Shatner, the series based on George R.R. Martin’s sprawling novels went on to receive a record-breaking number of nominations for the 2019 Primetime Emmys. Overall, it scored 32 nods across various categories. As well as being nominated for Outstanding Drama Series - which Game of Thrones won for season 7 in 2018 - it scored a nod for stars Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington in the Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, respectively. The Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in Drama categories, meanwhile, were even more stacked with Game of Thrones stars - with Gwendoline Christie, Sophie Turner, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams, Peter Dinklage, Alfie Allen, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau all also recognized.

According to Elite Daily, however, two of those names made for especially notable inclusions. Unlike the rest of those nominated, both Christie and Allen, who played Theon Greyjoy for all eight seasons, weren’t submitted by HBO or anybody on the show. Instead, they submitted themselves for consideration. They weren’t the only ones, though. Carice van Houten, who joined the show in season 2, also submitted herself. Unlike the others, however, her character, Melissandre, only had a brief role in the final season. As such, she was nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama series.

Game of Thrones also received three directorial nods, with Benioff & Weiss, David Nutter, and Miguel Sapochnik making the cut with their respective episodes. Benioff & Weiss were also acknowledged in the writing category for the final episode, “The Iron Throne”. The show is also set for host a farewell panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Though Benioff & Weiss were scheduled to attend, both ultimately dropped out at the last minute.

It remains to be seen how successful the show is against the stiff competition represented by Better Call Saul, Killing Eve, and This is Us. It wouldn’t be surprising, though, to see the final season sweep the boards one last time. Especially in the acting categories. For all the criticisms levied at the show, the performances delivered by the cast were uniformly praised. In that regard, the fact Allen, Houten, and Christie had to make their own submissions is the most surprising part. It’s not that rare for actors to submit themselves for consideration. For all three of them to succeed, however, is almost unprecedented.

It’s equally unknown whether their lack of inclusion in previous years is also down to HBO not putting them forward. In any case, fans are already coming out in support for the trio, calling their nominations long overdue. Allen, especially, is widely considered to have had one of the best overall arcs on the entire show and has often deemed to have often risen to the challenge. Christie, meanwhile, has been a fan favorite since her debut. Fans will be able to see how the three  - and Game of Thrones itself - fares when the award ceremony airs in September.

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Source: Elite Daily