Brit stars hailed by US TV critics

Michelle Dockery, Damien Lewis, Dominic West and Benedict Cumberbatch are among a string of British actors to be recognised in the nominations for this year's American Critics' Choice Television Awards.

Damien and Michelle are nominated for best actor and best actress in a drama series, respectively, with their shows Homeland and Downton Abbey also up for best drama.

The best TV movie or miniseries category is dominated by British shows, with Luther, Sherlock, Page Eight and The Hour all nominated.

Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson will battle it out against Brit stars Idris Elba, Bill Nighy, Benedict and Dominic for the title of best actor in a TV movie or miniseries.

Sherlock's Lara Pulver is nominated for best actress in a TV movie or miniseries for her eye-catching role as dominatrix Irene Adler in Sherlock. She is up against fellow Brit Emily Watson for her Bafta-winning role in Appropriate Adult, about serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, and British-based Gillian Anderson for Great Expectations.

Kelly Macdonald is also nominated for best supporting actress in a drama for her role in Boardwalk Empire.

NBC sitcom Community, about a study group of drop-outs trying to make a new start by attending community college, has been nominated for best comedy series, with stars Joel McHale nominated for best actor in a comedy, Jim Rash and Danny Pudi up for supporting actor and Alison Brie and Gillian Jacobs competing for supporting actress.

Mad Men is the most nominated drama, with five recognitions, including best drama, best actor for Jon Hamm, best actress for Elizabeth Moss and best supporting actor for John Slattery.

The winners of the second annual Critics' Choice Television Awards will be announced on June 18 at a ceremony in Beverly Hills

Last year's awards were shown on ReelzChannel and streamed live on VH1.com, but no broadcast deal is yet in place this year.