By
1:04 PM PDT, August 26, 2016
From a 'Game of Thrones' director to one of the stars of 'UnREAL,' these nominees are up for their first Emmy award.
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Sterling K. Brown, 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story'
FX
"Well, I get to be in the room where it happened, to quote my favorite musical on Broadway right now. I could try and play coy or whatnot, but it's really a level of recognition that I’ve been unaccustomed to." [more]
Matt Walsh, 'Veep'
HBO
"I'm super proud to be on Veep. It's a blessing to have a show each fall and a character that you've been able to do for five seasons. I've been one-and-done on so many shows, which were funny, but they don't come back. Then on top of that, to get recognition from your friends and peers is tremendous. The hoopla around the Emmys is fun too." [more]
Claudia O'Doherty, 'Inside Amy Schumer'
Comedy Central
"I only came onboard this year, so if they weren't nominated, it would have been my fault! I was also excited, because this is something my parents and grandparents can watch -- and it proves that I do have jobs in America! It feels like such a lovely treat." [more]
Miguel Sapochnik, 'Game of Thrones'
HBO
"I was really pleased with the way ['Battle of the Bastards'] came out and when David and Dan saw it and liked it, and then the audience saw it and responded so well, it was very gratifying." [more]
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, 'Catastrophe'
Getty Images
Sharon: "Just from my own point of view, I started as an actor and Rob started as an actor. I still don't even identify as a writer, as bonkers as that sounds. So, it's just a really lovely affirmation. It's a pat on the back." [more]
Melora Hardin, 'Transparent'
Lifetime
"It's also saying that we loved you as Jan -- and a lot of other things that you've done. I've been doing this all my life. I've been working since I was 6 years old and I've never been nominated for an Emmy." [more]
RuPaul, 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
ETONLINE
"I feel like I've won every year the show has been picked up by Logo because, really, nothing beats a paycheck." [more]
Constance Zimmer, 'UnREAL'
ETONLINE
"It's never anticipated when they happen, especially the first. I still can't imagine ever getting jaded, even if I have five nominations. It's why it's so hard to even put into words what it means. The fact that it's been this character on this show is super exciting because it could have gone the other way." [more]
Michelle Ang, 'Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462'
ETONLINE
"When you're from a smaller country and trying to be in the entertainment industry, you don't want to think about how hard it can be and the possibility you might not even get your foot into the door. At no point in my daydreams did I expect to be nominated for one of the big awards in America." [more]
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, 'UnREAL'
Getty Images
"I was genuinely shocked and bowled over. We had gotten a tough love talk from our non-writing EP earlier in the week saying, 'It's not happening.' And then my phone started blowing up. To be rewarded for that is insanely validating for the whole team." [more]