British TV talent is on course for success at the Emmy awards after two dramas between them earned a total of 23 nominations. Elizabeth I, the Channel 4 period drama starring Helen Mirren, scooped 13 nominations, including best actress in a mini-series for its leading lady. The BBC was also recognised for its adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House, nominated in ten categories, including best actress for Gillian Anderson.
Two other UK productions also received nominations for the 2006 Emmys. Rome, a BBC collaboration with HBO, picked up eight nominations. The Girl in the Café, a comedy-drama written by Richard Curtis about a fictional G8-type summit, earned seven. Ricky Gervais continues to receive critical acclaim with four nominations for Extras, his comedy series about jobbing actors.
In the non-fiction category, Children of Beslan, a BBC/HBO collaboration, received two nominations.
The most-nominated programme was the mini-series Into the West, a drama about America's pioneer era made by Steven Spielberg, nominated in 16 categories. Lost and Desperate Housewives, this year both failed to make the best series category.
The Emmy Awards take place in Los Angeles on 27 August.