‘Orange is the New Black’ (#OITNB) has earned 12 nominations, behind Game of Thrones’ 19 nominations and fellow Netflix hit House of Cards’ 16.
Taylor Schilling was nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category, Kate Mulgrew was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba, and Laverne Cox were all nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category.
The show received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan earned a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Jodie Foster was nominated in the Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.
Laverne Cox’s nomination marks the first time an openly transgender actress has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
In a statement to The Huffington Post, Laverne Cox said…
Today is truly a dream come true for me. Working on such an incredible show with such talented professionals has truly been the reward for me since we started shooting Oitnb 2 years ago. But this Emmy Nomination today is very welcomed and delicious icing on an already sumptuous cake. Thanks to the cast and crew of Orange for all the love and support, for your professionalism. Special shout out to Jodie Foster who directed the episode where we leaned Sophia’s back story and Sian Heder who wrote it and to all our writers, especially to Jenji Kohan. This recognition of 12 #EmmyNoms for your genius today is beyond well deserved. You are everything Jenji.
For my trans siblings, I love you so much. I share this nomination with you. May all of our stories be told with the depth of humanity the brilliant writers, cast, crew and our creator Jenji Kohan have shown with the portrayal of Sophia Burset. As I celebrate this day I can’t help but remember it is still a state of emergency for far too many trans people across this country right now. We need love, and support. We need public policy and our fellow citizens to value our lives and our humanity. Most of all we, ourselves need to value our lives. The more I treat my life as if it has value, the more the universe has been saying, “Yes Girl”
Laverne Cox