Emmy nominations 2014: Game of Thrones leads with 19 as Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman head up British talent

Four out of six of this year's Lead Actor in a Miniseries nominees are British

Game of Thrones has been nominated for an impressive 19 Emmy Awards (HBO)

This year’s Emmy Awards nominations have been announced, with hit fantasy TV series Game of Thrones leading with 19.

Emmy Awards 2014 nominations in full

Miniseries Fargo, the acclaimed remake of the Coen Brothers’ film, has scored 18 nods while House of Cards, Mad Men, Downton Abbey and Breaking Bad also compete for Outstanding Drama Series.

Notably, the majority of the Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie list is British, including Benedict Cumberbatch for Sherlock, Idris Elba for Luther, Chiwetel Ejiofor for Dancing on the Edge and Fargo’s Martin Freeman, who is currently starring in a West End production of Richard III.

Emmy newcomers include Netflix comedy drama Orange is the New Black and Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s True Detective.

Both the latter actors are nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama, alongside Breaking Bad’s Bryan Crantson and House of Cards’ Kevin Spacey.

Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley in period drama Downton Abbey, is up for Lead Actress in a Drama but will need to see off strong competition from Homeland’s Claire Danes and Scandal’s Kerry Washington.

The 66th annual ceremony will take place on 25 August, hosted by Seth Meyers.