Emmy Nominee British Invasion: "Game of Thrones," "Homeland," "Downton Abbey" and "Sherlock!"

"Homeland," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones" and "Sherlock" were some of the big winners when the primetime Emmy nominations were announced from Los Angeles this morning.

In fact, along with some Emmy stalwarts like "Modern Family" and "Mad Men," the Brits gave the American nominees a run for their money this year.

On the British side:  "Downton Abbey:" 16, "Sherlock, A Scandal in Belgravia:"  13, "Game of Thrones:"  11, and "Homeland," which stars Brit, Damian Lewis: 9.

On the American side: "Mad Men:  17," "Modern Family:" 14,"Breaking Bad:  13."

The most pleasant surprises:

• "Game of Thrones" being nominated for Best Drama
• "Sherlock:  A Scandal in Belgravia" being nominated at all
• Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) being nominated for "Sherlock"
• Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Crawley) being nominated for "Downton Abbey"
• Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham) being nominated for "Downton Abbey"
• Jared Harris (Lane Pryce) being nominated for "Mad Men" (Did you know he was the late Richard Harris' son?)
• Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) being nominated for "The Big Bang Theory"

Damian Lewis is a newbie to the nominations as are Cumberbatch, Dockery, and Bonneville.  In fact several of the British newbies could put a big dent in the American Emmy goodie bags. 

But Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison (photo above) in "Homeland" is the only acting nominee that I'd bet my entire fortune on since she's as great a lock as there's ever been in the whole history of the Emmy awards.  I kid you not. 

Welcome repeat nominees are the marvelous Peter Dinklage as the imp Tyrion Lannister in "Game of Thrones" (pictured left), Maggie Smith as the hoot and a half Dowager Countess in "Downton Abbey," and the incomparable Jim Parsons as the brilliant but coo coo for Cocoa Puffs, Dr. Sheldon Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory."

As expected, Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson were nominated for the John McCain/Sarah Palin HBO saga, "Game Change."

The biggest snub off the top of my head was Hugh Laurie not being nominated for his last season of "House."

You can see the complete list of nominees on the Emmy website and you can see who wins when the 64th annual primetime Emmy awards airs on September 23rd on ABC.

"Homeland" Image Courtesy:  Showtime

"Game of Thrones" Image Courtesy:  HBO