2014 Emmys: Lena Headey, Kate McKinnon, Michelle Dockery, Ricky Gervais top surprises

The latest -The Emmys every year are at least partially stuffed full of surprises. In the mix of the predictable nominations that tend to come out time and time again, there are a few names that may make you either pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised. Sometimes they get in thanks to a weaker category, or other times there is enough vote-splitting to help someone else out. (We feel that’s what probably happened with Jeff Daniels winning for “The Newsroom” last year.)

Note that this article is just focusing on this one singular subject when it comes to the awards. If you want to get some more news on Emmy snubs and the list of nominees now, head over to the link here.

Kate McKinnon – We never thought that the Emmys, especially since they took a nap on Tatiana Maslany, would recognize someone as brilliant as Kate given that her turn on “Saturday Night Live” is still fairly new.

Jeff Daniels – Again? We love “The Newsroom,” but we always think that we are the only one that does until we see the nominations come out

Michelle Dockery – Even her being a lead didn’t stop her from getting nominated. Heck, we’re stunned by the “Downton Abbey” love in general this year.

Ricky Gervais – “Derek” was not a runaway hit, but then again, neither was “Extras” and he got a nomination for that, as well.

Lena Headey – Last year, the surprise “Game of Thrones” nomination was Emilia Clarke. This time around, it is Headey, who ironically may have had a stronger year in season 3 when more was happening around King’s Landing.

“The White Queen” – A solid miniseries, but one that we honestly forgot about before the Emmys pulled that one out of their hat.

Fred Armisen – Also, why is Fred supporting for a show that he basically is the star of? We don’t get some of these submissions like his and Amy Schumer’s.

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