The television shows nominated for an Emmy next week you’ve probably never heard of

IT’S just over a week until the American television industry’s biggest night ... but there’s a number of shows up for an Emmy you’ve probably never heard of.

The Last Man On Earth television series

THEY’RE the hit shows up for the highest honour in the television industry, but many Aussie viewers might be scratching their heads in confusion.

A handful of the series vying for an Emmy Award later this month haven’t hit screens here yet or had a limited run when they did.

If some of the names in the nominees list leave you drawing a blank, here’s an overview.

Critical acclaim ... Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton in a scene from American Crime. Picture: Supplied

AMERICAN CRIME

A war veteran is murdered and his wife horrifically attacked during a home invasion. The crime and subsequent trial explore a variety of complex social issues in this gritty drama.

Season two, currently in production, is a totally different story and some of the returning cast will play new characters.

Ratings in the US were modest but critics loved it. It’s not clear whether it’ll find a network to broadcast it here.

Nominated for: Limited Series or Movie; Lead Actress (Felicity Huffman); Supporting Actor (Richard Cabral); Writing (John Ridley).

Confronting tale ... David Oyelowo in a scene from the telemovie Nightingale. Picture: Supplied

NIGHTINGALE

This unsettling telemovie centres on a socially isolated war vet who’s waiting for a male friend to visit but ends up viciously murdering his mother in their home.

The whole telemovie follows Peter Snowden’s descent into madness. It’s based on a true story.

It aired on HBO to mostly positive reviews. There’s no word if it’ll air in Australia.

Nominated for: Television Movie; Lead Actor (David Oyelowo).

All alone ... January Jones, Will Forte and Kristen Schaal star in comedy series The Last Man On Earth. Picture: Supplied

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH

A deadly virus sweeps the planet and for a while it seems an average bloke called Phil is the only human to survive.

Eventually he meets a nagging, eccentric woman named Carol and, determined they should repopulate the planet, marries her.

The very next day he meets another survivor — a beautiful woman he can’t resist.

This quirky comedy series has been picked up locally by One, Network Ten’s digital channel, and will air later this year.

Nominated for: Directing (Phil Lord and Christopher Miller) for a Comedy Series; Lead Actor (Will Forte).

Star cast ... Josh Gad and Billy Crystal starred in the short-lived series The Comedians. Picture: Supplied

THE COMEDIANS

Billy Crystal and Josh Gad play fictional versions of themselves in this series about two comics reluctantly paired together for a late night comedy sketch show.

Critics loved it but audiences didn’t and the mockumentary style sitcom failed to command solid ratings. It was axed after one season.

Nominated for: Guest Actor (Mel Brooks) in a Comedy Series.

Large-scale drama ... no expense was spared on British miniseries Wolf Hall. Picture: Supplied

WOLF HALL

This epic British miniseries follows the rise of Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith who became King Henry VIII’s chief minister.

With a massive cast of 106, intricate costumes, stunning sets and a thrilling script, it’s no wonder critics were unanimous in their praise.

It got a run on the Foxtel channel BBC First back in April.

Nominated for: Limited Series or Movie; Lead Actor (Mark Rylance); Supporting Actor (Damian Lewis); Writing (Phil Straughan); Directing (Peter Kosminsky).

The 67th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Monday September 21 at 10am on FOX8

Originally published as The television shows nominated for an Emmy next week you’ve probably never heard of