MJ Rodriguez, Elizabeth Olsen and More React to Emmy Nominations

Publish date: 2024-04-29

Elizabeth Olsen, MJ Rodriguez, Billy Porter and more react to their Emmy nominations Tuesday morning.

Elizabeth Olsen
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (“WandaVision”)
I’m just really proud of us! It was a crazy show, and I’m sure everyone feels that way at the end of every job. We had a great time together making our show, and for it to even have had the response that it had was enough, and then to be recognized on this level is very surprising and exciting.
For Marvel to enter television by creating a love song to television just felt perfect. It was so challenging but such a joy, it was really one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had because of these sitcoms through the decades. It made me realize, “Oh maybe I should be a sitcom actor, what am I doing with all these dramas?”
MJ Rodriguez
Lead Actress in a Drama Series (“Pose”)
The first person that I called was Steven Canals. We got on the phone together and we both found out the news of him being nominated as outstanding director. And I just, I don’t even know how to express my feelings right now I’m in extreme joy. I’m happy. I feel like love is finally being seen and being expressed, and now the little babies around the world, the LGBTQAI babies around the world, they finally get to see what love looks like and they finally see what the human condition looks like.
I’m just excited and I’m just happy for every single last nominee that’s in the category that I’m in. I’m just blessed and thankful that I finally get to be alongside a lot of my colleagues.
I do believe this is a pivotal moment. There’s never been a trans woman who has been nominated as a leading outstanding actress and I feel like that pushes the needle forward so much for the door to be knocked down for so many people who are trans —whether they be male or trans female, gender nonconforming, LGBTQIA+, it does not matter. A moment like this extends and opens and elongates the possibilities of what’s going to happen, and I believe the Academy is definitely making it possible and their eyes are more than open. Yes, I do believe they’re going to continue, and I also feel like we’re gonna keep speaking and encouraging and informing and educating people around the world. I think that’s the most important thing.
Kate Winslet
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (“Mare of Easttown”)
I am so proud and blown away and excited. I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about nominations in my life. It’s just fantastic. Every single day I was bracing myself and buckling myself into the ride. It was the biggest challenge I think I’ve ever really faced as an actor. Every day felt more important than the last. Because I was the executive producer also, it meant that my responsibility was to look after how everyone was coping and dealing with things when the pandemic kicked in. It made for a thick and fast and tight community of people who all have each other’s backs. And what’s extraordinary is that the beating heart of the show is the community, and we also had that. So to be a part of something that felt as special as this, with our remarkable cast and the extraordinary crew of people that we have working alongside us, was the ultimate privilege.
Emma Corrin
Lead Actress in a Drama Series (“The Crown”)
‘It is absolutely essential that I see the Queen!’ Huge congratulations to my wonderful co-star and mentor Olivia Colman. It’s an unbelievable honor to be nominated in this category alongside you and such other wonderfully talented actors. This nomination only exists because of Josh [O’Connor] and all my family on ‘The Crown.’ Every part of my involvement in telling this story has felt like a dream I don’t want to wake up from — I’m so happy and so honored by the recognition. Thank you!
Cynthia Erivo
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (“Genius: Aretha”)
I’m really happy. When I heard, there were definitely a lot of tears. This is a huge honor, and it means the most because of whose legacy I was able to share.
I was making an album at the same time, so I was learning about what it took to both be a musician and an actress. And I learned about applying determination and not being afraid to ask for something or to expect more. And I learned about my voice a lot, about what it could do… and it was thrilling.
Jonathan Majors
Lead Actor in a Drama Series (“Lovecraft Country”)
Oh my. Gratitude and surprise are running laps in my heart. A full-throated thank you to the nominating body. Thank you for seeing the light in the dark, and the smile in the tears of this character, Atticus Freeman, he is one of my best friends, and I’m glad you all got to meet him as well. Playing this role has changed my life, and this nomination is yet another growing and changing moment. I’d like to offer a deep congratulations to my fellow nominees, I am honored to be listed amongst these incredible artists, all who in such a time offered humanity and respite to a historically chaotic year.
Finally, to my ‘Lovecraft Country’ family, congratulations to each and every one of you, I thank you for your spirits, hearts, fight and support. Our journey continues….
Billy Porter
Lead Actor in a Drama Series (“Pose”)
I truly believe that art is activism, whether you’re conscious of it or not. Being nominated for this role, being a part of the journey that is ‘Pose’ has really been in line with my mission in life. I’m thrilled.
Mj Rodriguez has been carrying this show on her shoulders like Jesus on the road to Damascus since Season 1. So it’s about time. I’m really thrilled that the children have realized what she brings. There would be no ‘Pose’ if there was no Mj Rodriguez.
We are in the middle of progress on all fronts, and with progress comes pushback, with progress comes opposition. I would like to remain focused on the fact that this is an example of how things can change. Things have changed, are changing and need to continue to change as we move forward. The more diversity is empowered through the work, the more diversity there will be.
Kaley Cuoco
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (“The Flight Attendant”)
I could never have dreamed of a moment like this… so surreal! I am so proud of the entire TFA cast and crew for each and every one of these Emmy nods. It is a massive team effort bringing a show like this to life and I’m so grateful to each person involved. Thank you to the Television Academy for this recognition. My heart is exploding!
Kathryn Hahn
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (“WandaVision”)
I could not be more proud to be a part of this show and to come out of the gate with ‘WandaVision’ with this kind of storytelling and bold move to represent this space. When I first was pitched ‘WandaVision,’ being a newbie to the Marvel world to be totally honest, I was so excited by the ambition and by the scale, but also the fact that they were trying to tell a love story — but a woman’s story in which her origin of her power is really her own strength. It wasn’t that she was bitten by, no offense, a spider or was blasted by somebody from the outside. It’s very exciting to be a part of that, and that it was a group of women writers. When I heard that I was the witch, that sealed the deal. There was no going back.
On diversity:
I haven’t had a chance to really comb through [the nominations], but I could not be more excited. It’s exactly how it should be and then should continue. This has been an amazing last couple of years of content
Samira Wiley
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
I’m thinking about all of the conditions that me and my castmates worked in to create this season. Just the lockdown, the borders being closed and all of us being stuck in Canada, literally, not just in the show. All the tests we got, all the masks that we wore, all of the safety precautions that we did to create this. All of that is just in my head. I can’t believe we created something that has gotten this much recognition within the conditions that we had to do it.
On diversity:
I think progress, historically, has been slow, just with most things. I wish it wasn’t like that. I know being in this industry, it’s been hard for me to see how slow the progress has been sometimes, but I do think this is a step in the right direction. Hearing Mj’s name being called this morning, I leaped with joy. Having a trans woman nominated in that category is huge. It’s so huge, but I want to see that representation. I think we’re doing really good job by giving nominations and highlighting people in front of the camera. I think that last year we had a record number of people of color nominees in the acting categories, but I really want to see that extend to behind the camera, to other categories.
Josh O’Connor
Lead Actor in a Drama Series (“The Crown”)
This is amazing! Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous send-off. It has been such an honor to be a part of this beautiful family for the past three years, and to share this recognition today with Emma [Corrin], Olivia [Colman], Gillian [Anderson], Helena [Bonham Carter], Emerald [Fennell], Tobias [Menzies], Peter Morgan, and the entire cast and crew of ‘The Crown’ just means the world.
Paul Bettany
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (“WandaVision”)
What fantastic news to wake up to this morning! I’m deeply honored to have been nominated for what was a dream role for me, and I’m thrilled for all of my ‘WandaVision’ family for the love they received from the Academy. And then to see Uncle Frank get recognized as well makes this the happiest of mornings.
Leslie Odom Jr.
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (“Hamilton”)
I’m very thankful to the Television Academy for this acknowledgment! Reverberations from Lin-Manuel’s masterpiece continue to surprise and delight those of us that were lucky enough to be in the original company. So grateful for the support the film has received from audiences and the team at Disney Plus. What a morning!
Hannah Waddingham
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (“Ted Lasso”)
That’s what happens to grown-ups. That’s what happens to bonafide Hollywood-type people, not me.
I’m kind of glad that I didn’t let any of that kind of thing cross my mind. You have no idea whether something’s gonna fly or fall in the dark, whether it’s good or not. You have some things that aren’t great, just managed to stay alive for a while, and obviously I was hopeful, but when I was offered this role, I’d only seen the pilot. I had no idea the arc that Rebecca was afforded. No idea. I have no idea what an absolutely heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious piece of work, it was, no idea at all. It feels like it’s total luck for all of us that play these roles, and all of them in the writers’ room. It feels like it’s been some kind of weird alchemy.
Nnamdi Asomugha
Television Movie (“Sylvie’s Love”)
It’s pretty overwhelming. I just think the first thing that ran through my head was all of the steps to get here. Everything we went through and all the decisions that had to be made, and the stress and the heartache, and the great times. There’s just such a full story involved with getting this made. I was just so overwhelmed when we got news that it was received in the way that it was.
It’s just great validation. Personally, just myself and my producing partner, Jonathan Baker, we just started doing this a handful of years ago after I finished playing football. I was just trying to get my feet on the ground in this business, so for us to make the few films that we have and for them to get recognition, it just continues to validate what we’re doing, as producers. Personally, I think it just also validates the taste that we have in projects that come around. Like I said, it’s just overwhelming to get this type of news from a community that you’re still trying to become a part of, you’re still trying to understand and still trying to learn with everything that I do. So to be getting the recognition was really special at this stage in our journey.
I’m just thinking about the commitment that we had to just telling a beautiful story and shining a light on Black people during a time period where we haven’t really been able to see ourselves in all of our glory and see ourselves the way that we know we get to live. That’s a time period that was very difficult in terms of the community at large, with the civil rights movement and everything, but for us to commit to telling a story about Black people falling in love and trying to make it possible, and for it to be received by the Academy, it’s just huge. It’s a big deal. It’s a lot of validation for us that we’re doing the right things and we’re on the right track and I’m grateful.
Gillian Anderson
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (“The Crown”)
It’s been quite a year, and it’s been such a true honor to be a part of this company of actors. It’s been a really special, unique experience and so it’s amazing that so many of the cast have been have been nominated as well and gotten the recognition they deserve. I’m delighted.
‘The Crown’ is incredibly well produced and managed, and it feels like a very mature environment to be stepping into. That’s not always the case. As you know, I’ve been in the business for a long time. One can only hope for that level of care and respect, and good management, so to speak. I felt very blessed to be able to be a part of something that we knew was going to be addressing some pretty momentous events that took place in not just British history but world history.
Robin Thede
Variety Sketch Series (“A Black Lady Sketch Show”)
It’s so crazy. I literally, I wore my favorite Beyoncé hoodie again —the one I wore last year — and it’s been good luck for me. I went to bed last night and I said, “I only want two things tomorrow.” I was like, “I want Mj Rodriguez to be nominated for lead actress in a drama, and I want my show to get a writing nomination.”
All of my wishes came true and more. Mj got her nomination. We got five, not only for writing but for best series, for Issa [Rae]. I’m so proud of Yvette Nicole Brown. I’m thrilled for Issa, but I’m really, really, really proud of Yvette, because no one was really predicting her and she is such a powerhouse on our show, such a signature character for our show who was back in both seasons. And then for our editors, who are all women of color. So, I’m just so thrilled that this Black lady writers’ room and that our powerful editing team of all women of color is just so dope. … I’m thrilled that all these women can add “Emmy-nominated” in front of their name.
Hugh Grant
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (“The Undoing”)
I’m extremely grateful and honored, but I should point out that I was basically carried all the way by my fellow actors —especially Nicole [Kidman].
Brett Goldstein
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Ted Lasso”)
Holy f***ing s***. What an incredible honor. Proper dream-come-true s***.
Every part of this show has felt like magic to me. To have the privilege to work on it, to get to make something with this incredible team and now for us to be nominated as a team is just too lovely. Extra special thanks to Jason [Sudeikis] and Bill [Lawrence] for inviting me to be part of this. What a thing…
As a cynical English guy I’m struggling to deal with all this wonderfulness. I’m not crying, you’re crying. F*** off! You’re crying. You ****.
Carl Clemons Hopkins
Supporting Actor in Comedy Series (“Hacks”)
I feel overwhelmed with gratitude, and I’m honored by the fact that people like MJ and myself were able to inhabit spaces that we didn’t see people like us inhabiting when we were coming up. So it’s a really beautiful and tender and delicate moment, and I’m very excited by it. It’s definitely not the end of our work by any stretch of imagination, but it is some affirmation that we are continuing to show up and be present for our communities, and it just makes our fight even that more important. It’s a great and humbling encouragement.
Renée Elise Goldsberry
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (“Hamilton”)
I can’t stop saying ‘wow.’ I’m so excited to be nominated for an Emmy with all of these amazing actresses. And to be recognized in this category with my sister, Phillipa Soo, has me crying tears of joy! For me, ‘Hamilton’ is truly a gift that keeps on giving! Thank you, Television Academy, for providing this opportunity to celebrate our work together again. I am so grateful for this tremendous honor!
Brendan Hunt
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (“Ted Lasso”)
It’s just gratifying and cool. It’s not something we were going for, or could have been planning on or even talking [about]. When we put this show together, we just wanted to make the best show we could and hopefully people would turn it on once in a while and we’d get a few bucks out of it. So this is all beyond the realm of what we can control. It’s a little bit of like, what you put out in the world comes back to you. It’s a very cool feeling. Now as for the individual one, I don’t know. I’m not even the best supporting actor on my own show, so I’m not going to stay up too late about that one. It’s still really cool.
O-T Fagbenle
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
It’s a little overwhelming. It’s pretty exciting, I guess. I don’t know. I think my overwhelming feeling is just like gratitude to be part of ‘The Handmaid’s’ family. And the part of the story, which I think is meaningful.

It’s much easier for me to grasp my excitement for my castmates more than anything and knowing how much heart and love they all put into the show and seeing how they’re being recognized, some of them for the first time, like Max [Minghella] or Maddie [Brewer]. That’s something I’m just really over the moon about.
Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown
Host for a Reality or Competition Program (“Queer Eye”)
“It feels amazing to be recognized for something that we not only have fun doing, but something that is making an impact on the world. There’s a lot of great entertainment out there, but it feels really great to be on a show that is making a difference too.” – Bobby Berk
“It shows that the world craves content that is sometimes uplifting and inspiring —and not saying competition shows don’t offer that, but we also definitely are giving something that is different, that makes people feel as if, even in these challenging times, that we can still come together, love will win. And it’s really nice just to be recognized amongst such other amazing television shows. “ – Karamo Brown
Steven Canals
Outstanding Drama Series (“Pose”)
For six months, in the midst of a global pandemic, Black and Latin and trans and queer artists created together. Alongside a luminescent cast, and tireless crew, I, with my magnificent collaborators, told an aspirational story of family, resilience, possibility, and, most importantly, love. I’m thrilled for Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez, who made history this morning as the first trans actress nominated in the drama actress category. And I’m grateful to the TV Academy for recognizing my contribution to the TV landscape with these three incredible nominations for writing, directing, and producing. This boy from the Bronx is forever humbled by the recognition.
Barry Jenkins
Limited Series (“The Underground Railroad”)
I’ve never undertaken something quite like our limited series ‘The Underground Railroad’ but in the process of making it, a lesson I learned as a pupil revealed itself to be viciously true: a director is nothing without their cast, their crew; without the network of hundreds it takes to make a vision like this a dream realized and true. It’s for that reason I want to thank the Television Academy, on behalf of every soul who ever appeared at the bottom or top of any call sheet in our 116 days of shooting, for the recognition of this show alongside the exemplary nominees in the limited series category. It is always ‘an honor to be nominated.’ Today I hope that phrase will serve as a celebration of the wonderful crew that gave this show its fuel and the selfless cast on whose wings it took flight.
Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Outstanding Comedy Series (“Cobra Kai”)
Like ‘The Karate Kid’ before it, ‘Cobra Kai’ has always been a true underdog story. From our humble YouTube beginnings to our badass Netflix arrival, we have enjoyed being the senseis for this special series. Being nominated for Best Comedy Series is a tremendous moment for the show that is a testament to the sweat equity put in daily by the absolute best cast and crew around. Thank you to Sony and Netflix for supporting our storytelling and giving us the freedom to grow the Miyagiverse. We are thrilled and thankful…. and we think we know karate, so everyone else in the category better watch out!
William Zabka
Outstanding Comedy Series (“Cobra Kai”)
On the show’s nomination…
It’s awesome! Who could have seen this coming 30-some years ago? The show is firing on all cylinders. It’s a relevant show today, it’s not leaning on nostalgia. Fans are loving it and the critics are embracing it.
On his character Johnny Lawrence’s character arc…
We all know his backstory, so to meet him today, he’s almost a brand-new guy with years of life behind him. To explore the last three decades of his life and see him try to pull himself by his bootstraps and regain his sense of identity and purpose has been very, very awesome.
On possibly going to the Emmys in-person:
I would be honored to represent the show, and be a part of that if that happened. I would go with my whole heart. We’ve worked really hard for the last few years to serve this show up in an authentic way and the fact that it’s been recognized by the Academy and be acknowledged by our peers and the critics, I would walk proudly if called upon.
Chuck Lorre
Outstanding Comedy Series (“The Kominsky Method”)
Thank you to the members of the TV Academy for the six nominations! The past three seasons of ‘The Kominsky Method’ have been an experience of a lifetime and it’s a great honor to finish out on such a high note. I want to congratulate Michael Douglas, Paul Reiser and Morgan Freeman for their well-deserved acting nominations. Thank you to Netflix, Warner Bros. and everyone on the show that worked so hard to make ‘The Kominsky Method.’ Congrats to Yuri Reese, Sean Madsen and Brian Wittle for their sound mixing nomination and Nikki Valko, Ken Miller and Tara Treacy for their casting nomination.
Dan Fogelman
Outstanding Drama Series (“This Is Us”)
Thank you to the Television Academy – what lovely company to be in. We can’t wait to take selfies with everyone. And congrats to the entire ‘This Is Us’ family. You made one of my favorite seasons during an impossible time and I’m crazy about all of you.
Bruce Miller
Outstanding Drama Series (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
We’re incredibly honored to be recognized by the Television Academy, especially in such a challenging year, and are so very proud of the amazing work of our cast and crew, and what they were able to accomplish the midst of a pandemic. We could not be more grateful.

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MJ Rodriguez, Elizabeth Olsen and More React to Emmy Nominations

Elizabeth Olsen

MJ Rodriguez

Kate Winslet

Emma Corrin

Cynthia Erivo

Jonathan Majors

Billy Porter

Kaley Cuoco

Kathryn Hahn

Samira Wiley

Josh O’Connor

Paul Bettany

Leslie Odom Jr.

Hannah Waddingham

Nnamdi Asomugha

Gillian Anderson

Robin Thede

Hugh Grant

Brett Goldstein

Carl Clemons Hopkins

Renée Elise Goldsberry

Brendan Hunt

O-T Fagbenle

Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown

Steven Canals

Barry Jenkins

Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg

William Zabka

Chuck Lorre

Dan Fogelman

Bruce Miller

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