Game of Thrones rules the Emmys with 23 nominations

It’s good to be the King in the North.

Most TV shows decline in quality as they go on. Much like Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, however, Game of Thrones keeps gathering devout followers as time goes by. The HBO fantasy epic won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series last year, along with an army of other awards. Now Game of Thrones: Season Six leads the 2016 Primetime Emmy nominations with 23 bids, including Outstanding Drama Series.

There was no doubt that Peter Dinklage would return to the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category, having won the award twice in the past for playing Tyrion Lannister. It was a pleasant surprise to see Kit Harington score his first nomination, however. While billed as a Supporting Actor, Harington’s Jon Snow was truly a leading man this past season and stood out as an MVP.

It would seem that this nomination also came as a surprise to Harington, who stated, “It is a serious understatement to say that I am somewhat stunned. For my work on Game of Thrones to be recognized in this way is an emotional moment for me. I could not be more humbled.”

In the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category, Emilia Clarke got nominated for her dominating performance as Daenerys Targaryen, along with Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister. Clarke and Headey competed against each other in this category last year. This year, however, they’ll also be going up against a third Game of Thrones actress. Young Maisie Williams nabbed her first ever Emmy nomination for her stellar work as Arya Stark. Williams had this to say on Twitter in response to her nomination:

wtf ARYA KIDDING ME?!!

— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) July 14, 2016

ARYA KIDDING ME, indeed. Williams also went on to post:

jus on ft with me mam and twitter pops up telling me i've been nominated for an emmy. Wtfahhahhaahhelpme

— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) July 14, 2016

Max von Sydow was additionally recognized in Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for playing the mysterious Three-Eyed Raven. In the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series category, the heartbreaking The Door and the rousing The Battle of the Bastards were both nominated. The latter episode also got into Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series.

With so much support from the television industry, it’s hard to imagine Game of Thrones not coming out on top at the Emmys again. Of course that’s not to say there’s zero competition. Also among the Outstanding Drama Series nominees are House of Cards (13 nominations), Downton Abbey (10 nominations), Better Call Saul (7 nominations), Mr. Robot (6 nominations), The Americans (5 nominations), and Homeland (4 nominations). Even in a golden age of TV, though, Game of Thrones seems unbeatable.

What do you think will take take home the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy this year?

Winners for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced on September 18.