By Stacy Lambe
4:00 AM PDT, August 28, 2019
Mandy Moore, Margaret Qualley, Billy Porter and more discuss their first-ever nominations for the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards. The 2019 Emmys will be handed out live from the Microsoft Theater starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sept. 22 on Fox. Click through the gallery to hear from them!
Mandy Moore, 'This Is Us'
Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
“I never, ever thought I'd be a part of something that was recognized to this degree, especially 54 episodes in during peak television. I'm really proud of the work we do, but I'm not the new kid on the block anymore and just, again, to be in that conversation and our whole family to get to be there... that's what I'm most excited about.” [READ MORE]
Jharrel Jerome, 'When They See Us'
Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
“When They See Us is the exact project that can speak toward a large group of people -- not just one set of people -- so if I can do a project like that again, then that's all I want to do. To be a part of a project like this is bigger than any nomination. It's bigger than any win. This is my passion and it feels good to be feeding my passion in the right way.” [READ MORE]
Margaret Qualley, 'Fosse/Verdon'
Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
“It’s crazy. I’m so excited. I can’t believe it. It’s really cool… I do feel super, super lucky. I’m counting my blessings every day for sure.”
Chris Sullivan, 'This Is Us'
Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
“You know, this season we had a chance to go deeper into this character -- into all of our characters, really. And so to be nominated while we're talking about mental health, while we're talking about depression and anxiety is an incredible kind of honor. I'm glad to be a part of the conversation and I hope that it continues.”
Jessica Hecht, 'Special'
Nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
“To be honest, I feel there are all these hoops that you have to jump through and then you become middle-aged and you think, I wish I didn’t have to do this thing anymore. We all feel that as people. To be really honest, I’ve been somebody for my whole career that gets extremely nervous to audition… Let’s be honest, I probably won’t have to audition as much anymore. That’ll be a little bit of a relief.” [READ MORE]
Janet Mock, 'Pose'
Nominated for Outstanding Drama Series
“We are grateful to the Television Academy for seeing us. Working with this trailblazing cast and crew is award enough. It is why I stand here awed by this recognition. I hope the spotlight of this nomination burns bright on our industry's urgent need for more inclusive storytelling, where those who lived it are empowered to tell their own stories.” [READ MORE]
Our Lady J, 'Pose'
Nominated for Outstanding Drama Series
“It is truly an historic day in Hollywood with Pose’s nomination for Best Drama! For decades, trans and gender-nonconforming talent have worked tirelessly alongside LGBTQ+ activists to ensure that this day would come -- a day when we are the ones to star, write, direct, and produce content based on our lived experiences. Thank you to Ryan Murphy for making this moment happen, and thank you to the Television Academy for acknowledging the resilient spirit of our show and of our community. I am so extraordinarily proud to be a part of Pose.” [READ MORE]
Billy Porter, 'Pose'
Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
“The fact that it’s happening to me this way, after all these years, is really profound to me. I know I’m part of a generation that kicked the door down for these issues and for these stories to be told. I can say that because it’s the truth. And for those who kicked the door, those who were trailblazers, those who were the first -- we don’t always get these opportunities to reap the benefits.” [READ MORE]
Marin Hinkle, 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'
Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
“I mean this from my heart. The true joy is that I'm in my 50s and have a job today because what I recognize is the difficulty of how few and far between available jobs there are for people of my age. That's the truth. As a woman, in their 50s, it's still a huge struggle right now." [READ MORE]
Ben Whishaw, 'A Very English Scandal'
Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
“I’m really, really touched that the show and the performance has spoken to so many people. It means the world to me. It’s why you do it. It’s what you hope for, that you reach people, speak to people.” [READ MORE]