Strong British showing at Emmys

A host of British stars have been nominated at this year's Primetime Emmy awards, the BBC reports.

Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Chiwitel Ejiofor were among the nominees announced in Los Angeles.

Fantasy drama Game of Thrones led the way with 19 nods including best drama series, followed by the TV version of 1996 film Fargo with 18 nominations.

The awards will be handed out at a Los Angeles ceremony on 25 August 2014.

Sitcom Modern Family will be hoping for a fifth consecutive best comedy series prize, facing competition from The Big Bang Theory, Louie, Orange is the New Black, Silicon Valley and Veep.

Matthew McConaughey landed a nomination for his role in TV crime drama True Detective.

The star, who won an Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club in February, is nominated for best actor in a drama series, alongside his co-star Woody Harrelson.