Emmys 2019: When They See Us series about Central Park Five case triumphs with 16 nominations

When They See Us, Ava DuVernay‘s series about the Central Park Five case, has scored an impressive 16 Emmy nominations.

The show, released on Netflix in May, is up for Outstanding Limited Series. Aunjanue Ellis and Niecy Nash are both nominated in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category, while Jharrel Jerome is in the running for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

When They See Us performed well in the supporting categories as well. Marsha Stephanie Blake and Vera Farmiga are both nominated for Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, while Asante Blackk, John Leguizamo and Michael K Williams are all up for Supporting Actor.

Additional nominations came in the categories of Outstanding Casting For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special, Outstanding Cinematography For A Limited Series Or Movie, Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special, and Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score).

When They See Us, a four-part series, documents the 1989 case that saw teenagers Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam and Korey Wise wrongfully convicted of attacking a female jogger in Central Park. All five were exonerated in 2002 when another man confessed to the attack.

DuVernay thanked the five wrongfully convicted men on Twitter after the Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday.

“Thank you to the real men for inviting me to tell their story,” she wrote. ”Thank you @TelevisionAcad for honouring the work.

"Saluting every single crew and cast member. And saluting Raymond, Korey, Antron, Yusef and Kevin. Love you, brothers.”

She then said she had just had a phone conversation with Korey Wise and added: “I told him to get his tux ready. He said: ‘You did that, Queen. You told the story. You did what you came to do. They had to see it. They listened.’”

The 2019 Emmys will take place on 22 September.