But fans of the smash hit fantasy series were shocked that actress Gwendoline Christie, who finally scored her first nomination for best supporting actress in a drama series for her role as Brienne of Tarth, actually had to submit herself for consideration when HBO declined.
Christie shared the news on Instagram.
Writer Julie DiCaro pointed this bizarre factoid out in a now-viral tweet.
HBO didn't submit Gwendoline Christie for an Emmy so she submitted herself and got a nomination. Be your own biggest cheerleader.— Julie DiCaro (@Julie DiCaro) 1563372846.0
It certainly makes Christie's nomination all the more impressive.
@JulieDiCaro https://t.co/dE7ogjE0vv— E Kaminetz (@E Kaminetz) 1563374320.0
@JulieDiCaro @cmclymer So that’s what she was writing... https://t.co/vl0lOa1h08— Charles Song (@Charles Song) 1563375237.0
@JulieDiCaro @leebee4life And Gwen deserved that nomination too!— J. C. (@J. C.) 1563374511.0
gwendoline christie deserves this emmy nomination so much, she was definitely one of the outstanding actors in game… https://t.co/96ry3uISG9— ben (@ben) 1563293598.0
People were pretty peeved that HBO left Christie to fend for herself, though.
@JulieDiCaro @saloni_g Wait really? HBO what is wrong with you https://t.co/HGztYepIOX— Linda Maleh (@Linda Maleh) 1563379432.0
@JulieDiCaro But let’s not lose sight of the fact that @HBO sucks for not nominating her!— President Kamala’s Hand (@President Kamala’s Hand) 1563380764.0
@DearDean22 @JulieDiCaro @HBO I'll be mad at them later. First we celebrate. https://t.co/4umWMM68LN— David Sorenson (@David Sorenson) 1563398640.0
Other fans were quick to point out that Christie wasn't the only Game of Thrones actor who had to self-submit to be considered.
Alfie Allen and Carice van Houten, who play Theon Greyjoy and Melisandre, respectively, also submitted themselves for Emmy consideration, with Allen scoring a nod for best supporting actor in a drama series and van Houten grabbing a guest actress in a drama series nomination.
@leetokeen Via Entertainment Weekly: https://t.co/MLc2r95LCe— Julie DiCaro (@Julie DiCaro) 1563401451.0
All three of the first-time nominations came as somewhat of a shock to fans and now we know why.
@JulieDiCaro @leetokeen Do all actors & actresses know they can self submit? Interesting. Good on them!!!— loves Chicago (@loves Chicago) 1563451092.0
Of course, not all actors have to submit themselves.
HBO did, in fact, submit Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams in various acting categories, all of whom scored nominations.
But, as one person pointed out, it is most likely about the odds.
The more actors you submit, the more internal competition they end up facing.
@mconnormurphy @JulieDiCaro @ljmaleh @saloni_g @HBO They don't nominate every actor bc then the actor they want to… https://t.co/AdDDVqWRvB— Leah (@Leah) 1563467201.0
Which makes it even more impressive that three additional Game of Thrones actors were able to break through with nominations of their own after paying the $225 submission fee.
So let that be a lesson for all of us: If you think you deserve to be considered for something, then just take steps on your own to get there if you can.
You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
@JulieDiCaro https://t.co/OIPRp9ncNE— Jason Matthews (@Jason Matthews) 1563387529.0
Because as Bigfoot knows, believe in yourself, even if no one else does, shirt available here.
"The Bells," the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, saw the deliciously devilish Cersei Lannister and her twin brother, Jamie, meet their ends, crushed to death in the collapse of the Red Keep.
Actress Lena Headey played Cersei to enormous acclaim over the last eight years. She took to Instagram to pen a goodbye to the character so many of us loved to hate.
It was a short and sweet message, but Headey managed to say it all:
"There she goes. It's been fun, and bonkers. I loved her. I am grateful for the opportunity. Massively thankful for your encouraging and supportive love along the way. And now her watch is ended (I know she'd never make it, Nights watch wouldn't have her .. but still..)"
A bunch of Headey's celebrity fans, including her costar John Bradley West (Samwell Tarly), praised her and sent her well wishes for playing perhaps the most definitive villainess of the last decade.
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Her costar Pilou Asbæk (Euron Greyjoy)...
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Actress Natasha Lyonne...
Comedian Ali Wong...
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RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Shangela had something to say:
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As did many others:
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Headey also took her fans on a little trip down memory lane, sharing a photo of herself with her costar Nathalie Emmanuel, who played Daenerys Targaryen's aide Missandei.
Cersei had Missandei beheaded in "The Last of the Starks," so it's good to see that Emmanuel and Headey are such good friends off screen!
She also shared a photo of herself and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (who played Jamie Lannister) on set.
Headey has earned rave reviews from the start of the show.
She described her last day on set as an emotional one in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:
"I told Nikolaj, 'I've never seen you so sweet and sentimental.' And he's all, 'What's happening to me?' We kept cuddling going 'I love you.' It was weird. There's a sense of loss that nothing like this will ever happen again. There was a great sense of grief and an enormous amount of gratitude going on."
Farewell, Cersei. You will always be our Queen.