Downton Abbey clocks up Emmy nods

Downton Abbey has emerged as one of the frontrunners for this year's Emmy Awards, scooping 16 nominations.

The ITV costume drama, starring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Dame Maggie Smith, has proved a success across the pond and picked up four gongs at the US awards show last year.

Its nominations this time include a lead actress in a drama series nod for Michelle, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, and lead actor for Hugh as the Earl of Grantham. Dame Maggie is nominated in the supporting actress category for her role as the acid-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham, alongside Joanne Froggatt, who plays domestic servant Anna.

Brendan Coyle, who plays valet John Bates, and Jim Carter, who plays the butler Carson, are both up for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series.

Ad agency hit Mad Men and the miniseries American Horror Story are frontrunners at the prestigious awards with 17 nominations each. Modern Family, honoured as best comedy series for two years, is the sitcom leader with 14 bids.

Other prolific nominees include the US miniseries, Hatfields And McCoys, with 16 nods, and Hemingway And Gellhorn with 15.

There were also nods for BBC1's Sherlock with its stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie respectively.

Benedict is nominated in a strong field including Woody Harrelson, Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton. Also nominated are fellow Brits Clive Owen and Idris Elba for their roles in Hemingway and Gellhorn and Luther respectively.

Armando Iannucci's new US show, Veep, is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, while its star Julia Louis-Dreyfus is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series.

The awards are presented at a ceremony on September 23.