The nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced Thursday, July 12, and we can breathe a sigh of relief that many of our faves received well-deserved nominations in multiple categories. Per usual, the announcement comes with a slew of snubs and surprises in the form of unexpected nominations. Here are some of the surprising but well-welcomed nominations for this year’s Primetime Emmys.

Regina King, Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie for Seven Seconds

No stranger to Emmy glory, Regina King was awarded in 2015 and 2016 for her acclaimed performances in the ABC anthology series American Crime. Considering that King is the queen of nuance regarding on-screen acting, King’s nomination is not surprising in and of itself. The surprise lies more in the fact that Seven Seconds received a short run on Netflix and didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Hopefully, King’s nomination and potential win (*fingers crossed*) will renew attention in the much acclaimed yet much underrated, short-lived Netflix series. King’s performance as the mother of a young boy shot by a white police officer is affirmation she should be on the top of everyone’s casting list.

Donald Glover, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live

ATLANTA -- "The Jacket" -- Episode 10 (Airs Tuesday, November 1, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Donald Glover as Earnest Marks. CR: Quantrell Colbert/FX — Photo: Quantrell Colbert/FX

If you didn’t watch Donald Glover lend his hosting skills to Saturday Night Live, then we don’t know what you’re doing with your life. From a skit involving new interns pitching captions for an imaginary Instagram account for Barbie to parodying an ’80s music video, Glover’s nomination is deserved but surprising. Much of the hype surrounding Glover includes Atlanta, a show with its hype that might have overshadowed many who could have foreshadowed an SNL nod for the multi-hyphenate entertainer.

Katt Williams, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Atlanta

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This is one nomination we did not see coming. While most of the lion’s praise for Atlanta has gone to Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz, Emmy voters were floored by Katt Williams’ performance as Uncle Willy in the dramedy’s second season.

Viola Davis, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Scandal

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER - "I'm Going Away" - In the wake of Wes' tragic death, Annalise returns to her family home to pick up the pieces of her shattered life, and realizes that, in order to rebuild, she must make a tough and shocking decision. Meanwhile, "the Keating 4" all face an uncertain future while Laurel becomes obsessed with finding out what actually happened to Wes the night he died. In a flash-forward, a terrifying crime is committed and everyone is a suspect on the highly anticipated season four premiere of "How to Get Away with Murder," THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth) VIOLA DAVIS — Photo: ABC/Mitch Haaseth

While the Academy egregiously snubbed Viola Davis for her performance as Annalise Keating on the ABC legal drama How to Get Away with Murder, the future EGOT winner-to-be secured a nomination in the Guest Actress Drama category for the same role for her crossover appearance on the political thriller Scandal.

Tiffany Haddish, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live

In November 2017, Tiffany Haddish became the first black female stand-up comedian to host Saturday Night Live. Bringing her uproarious brand of humor that mainstream audiences met in Girls Trip, as well as a $4,000 white Alexander McQueen gown, Haddish entertained as usual. The fact that the voting academy remembered Haddish’s skit is not only surprising but reassurance that the Haddish hype has not died down and won’t anytime soon.

2018 Emmys

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