Emmys 2013: Netflix Scores Historic Nods for ‘House of Cards,’ ‘Arrested Development’

Streaming service gets best drama nomination, plus nods for Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright; Jason Bateman's nominated for "Arrested"

Netlix scored big with Thursday's Emmy nominations as its "House of Cards" picked up nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and for leads Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, while "Arrested Development" star Jason Bateman picked up another nod.

The big question of the day was whether the world of television would welcome an online streaming service to its party. In fact, it opened its arms wide, making Netflix the first streaming service to score nods in several major categories.

Also read: Emmys 2013 Nominations (Complete List)

FX's "American Horror Story: Asylum," scored 17 nominations, the most overall, followed by HBO's "Game of Thrones" with 16, HBO's Liberace biopic "Behind the Candelabra" and NBC's "Saturday Night Live," which had 15 each, and AMC's "Breaking Bad" and NBC's "30 Rock," which each had 13.

"Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland," "House of Cards" and "Mad Men" were the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series. It was the second consecutive year the Big 4 networks were shut out of consideration — and this year, they were beaten by Netflix, which isn't even on television.

"30 Rock," "The Big Bang Theory," "Girls," "Louie," "Modern Family" and "Veep" were nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Also read: Emmys 2013: Snubs and Surprises (Photos)

HBO had several pleasant surprises, including a nod for "Enlightened" star Laura Dern, even though her show HBO show was little-watched and canceled, and "Newsroom" star Jeff Daniels, even though his show received mixed reviews.

But "Boardwalk Empire," an Emmy favorite in the past, was badly slighted in the major categories: It was a denied its third consecutive nod in the drama category, and Steve Buscemi was passed over for a lead actor nomination. Nonetheless, the prohibition drama — which TheWrap called the best show of last year — scored 10 nominations overall.

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Emmy voters continued their strong support for "Homeland," despite a near-consensus among critics that it slipped in its second season. Last year it won in the Outstanding Drama Series category, and leads Claire Danes and Damian Lewis won in the lead dramatic actor categories. The series and its stars were renominated this year.

Voters also stood by "30 Rock," one of their longtime favorites, after its final season. It has won Outstanding Comedy Series three times, most recently in 2009, and has its last chance to do it again.

Leads Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin also picked up nominations in the comedic acting categories. Fey has previously won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and Baldwin has won twice in his corresponding category.

Besides Bateman, the other lead actor in a comedy nominees included Louis C.K. ("Louie"), Don Cheadle ("House of Lies"), Matt LeBlanc ("Episodes") and Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory"). Besides Dern and Fey, the other lead comedic actress nominees were Lena Dunham ("Girls"), Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie"), Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation"), and last year's winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Veep").

"Breaking Bad" had another big showing, earning more nods that its "AMC" counterpart "Mad Men," a four-time winner for Outstanding Drama. Both were nominated in that category — which "Breaking Bad" has never won — and "Breaking Bad" lead Bryan Cranston will compete for his fourth best dramatic actor prize. He has won every year he was eligible. Aaron Paul, who announced the nominations, was tapped again for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama, an award he's won twice.

See photos: Emmys 2013: Nominees

Rounding out the lead dramatic actor category were Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") and Hugh Bonneville ("Downton Abbey.") Besides Wright, the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama nominees included Connie Britton ("Nashville"), Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey"), Vera Farmiga ("Bates Motel"), Kerry Washington ("Scandal") and Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men"), who was also nominated for her role in the Sundance miniseries "Top of the Lake."

Besides Moss, the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Movie or Miniseries were Helen Mirren ("Phil Spector"), Jessica Lange ("American Horror Story: Asylum"), Laura Linney ("The Big C"), and Sigourney Weaver ("Political Animals").

HBO ruled the Lead Actor in a Movie or Miniseries category: Both Matt Damon and Michael Douglas were nominated for "Behind the Candelabra," alongside Benedict Cumberbatch ("Parade's End,") Toby Jones ("The Girl") and Al Pacino ("Phil Spector").

Paul announced the nominations with Neil Patrick Harris, who filled in for "House of Cards" star Kate Mara when her flight was delayed.

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