‘Empire’ could be part of Emmy diversity wave; ‘Mad Men,’ Letterman take last shot at gold

July 16, 2015 News Room

By Lynn Elber

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.(AP) _ The TV drama series “Empire” and “Mad Men” and the sitcom “black-ish” are among the contenders for Thursday’s Emmy nominations.

The nominees will be announced by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Thursday in West Hollywood, California. TV stars Uzo Aduba and Cat Deeley were to announce the nods online in several top categories.

This could be a big Emmy year for diversity in general and African-American actresses in particular. Likely contenders for top drama acting honours include Taraji P. Henson of “Empire,” Viola Davis of “How to Get Away with Murder” and Kerry Washington of “Scandal.”

The best actress drama award has yet to go to a non-white actress.

The Emmy ceremony will air Sept. 20 on Fox, with Andy Samberg as host.