'Succession' leads 2022 Emmy nominations, as Selena Gomez, 'Squid Game' make history

'Squid Game' is the first non-English language show nominated for best drama series at the Emmys. Photo: Handout

Just like Logan Roy (Brian Cox) himself, HBO's Succession once again comes out on top.

The show, which follows the dysfunctional Roy family's fight for corporate power, leads the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards race with 25 nominations, including outstanding drama series.

Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso and HBO's social-satire limited series The White Lotus tied for second, with 20 nominations apiece.

Succession will compete with Netflix's Squid Game, the first non-English language show nominated for the title; Netflix's Ozark, which released its final episodes in April; and Netflix's Stranger Things, the most watched English-language series on the platform.

AMC's Better Call Saul, HBO's Euphoria, Apple TV+'s Severance and Showtime's Yellowjackets are also nominated in the category.

'Succession' leads the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards race with 25 nominations. Photo: Handout

Tuesday's (July 12) Emmy Awards nominations were full of firsts.

A-list stars including Andrew Garfield (FX's Under The Banner Of Heaven), Amanda Seyfried (Hulu's The Dropout) and Oscar Isaac (HBO's Scenes From A Marriage) earned their first Emmy nods in acting categories, all for limited series.

The late Chadwick Boseman, who died of colon cancer in 2020, received his first nomination posthumously in the outstanding character voiceover category for Disney+ series What If?, for which he reprised his role of T'Challa from Marvel's Black Panther.

Norm Macdonald, who died of leukemia last year, also received his first Emmy nods for his own posthumously released Netflix standup project Nothing Special.

And former US President Barack Obama – already a two-time Grammy winner for his audiobooks – inched closer to EGOT status with his first Emmy nod for outstanding narrator for Netflix docuseries Our Great National Parks.

Here are five more notable milestones you need to know from this year's Emmys, which will be presented on Sept 12:

Squid Game breaks ground with best drama series Emmy nomination

The Korean-made Netflix sensation notched a key milestone Tuesday, as the first non-English-language show nominated for best drama series in the awards' 74-year history.

The brutal survival thriller, which has already been renewed for Season 2, made off with 14 nominations overall, including best lead actor in a drama series (Lee Jung-jae) and best supporting actress in a drama series (Jung Ho-yeon).

Selena Gomez lands Only Murders nod, but not for acting

The pop star/makeup mogul is one-third of the central trio of Hulu's mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building, in which she co-stars with Martin Short and Steve Martin.

While both funnymen were nominated for lead actor, Gomez was passed over, much to her fans' disappointment.

But there is a silver lining: Gomez still earned her first Emmy nod as an executive producer on Only Murders, which also was nominated for best comedy series.

As Variety points out, she's only the second Latina to get a producing nom for comedy series, after Salma Hayek for ABC's Ugly Betty in 2007.

Selena Gomez (centre) is one-third of the central trio of Hulu's mystery comedy 'Only Murders In The Building', in which she co-stars with Martin Short and Steve Martin. Photo: AFP

Zendaya sets two records with Euphoria noms

In 2020, Zendaya made history as the youngest winner for best lead actress in a drama for HBO's controversial soap Euphoria, playing a teen drug addict in the throes of recovery.

Now 25, she's setting two more records this year: becoming the youngest two-time acting nominee, as well as the youngest nominated producer, according to Deadline. (Zendaya is an executive producer on Euphoria, which was recognised in the best drama series category.)

Zendaya becomes the youngest two-time acting Emmy nominee, as well as the youngest nominated producer. Photo: AP

Sydney Sweeney earns double nods for Euphoria, White Lotus

Sweeney, 24, became the meme queen for the 2021-22 TV season, thanks to her scene-stealing roles in HBO's Euphoria and The White Lotus.

Now, the fast-rising star is double-nominated in the supporting acting categories for drama and limited series, respectively.

Others doubly honoured: Two-time Emmy winner Julia Garner won nods for both lead actress in a limited series (Netflix's scammer show Inventing Anna) and supporting actress in a drama series (Ozark, also on Netflix).

And Saturday Night Live alum Bill Hader was recognised for lead actor in a comedy series (HBO's Barry) as well as guest actor in a comedy series (for the 11th season of Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO).

From left: Brittany O'Grady, Sydney Sweeney and Murray Bartlett in a scene from 'The White Lotus'. Photo: Handout

Quinta Brunson makes history with her Abbott Elementary nominations

The creator and star of Abbott Elementary, ABC's breakout freshman sitcom, is the first Black woman to earn three nominations in comedy categories in the same year, according to Variety.

Brunson, who plays a tenacious teacher at an underfunded public school, was recognised for best lead actress in a comedy, best writing for a comedy series (for the pilot episode) and best comedy series (as an executive producer).

At 32, she is also the youngest Black woman ever nominated as comedy actor. Brunson's Abbott co-stars Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tyler James Williams were also nominated in supporting actor categories. – USA Today/Tribune News Service

Quinta Brunson was nominated for an Emmy Award for best lead actress in a comedy series. Photo: Handout