Kit Harrington gets a first-time nomination for his work as "Game of Thrones" hero Jon Snow in the supporting actor in a drama category.
Keri Russell also earned a first-time nomination for "The Americans" in the lead actress in a drama category, putting her against five returning contenders — Claire Danes for "Homeland," who won in 2012, last year's winner Viola Davis for "How To Get Away With Murder," Taraji P. Henson for "Empire," Robin Wright for "House of Cards" and Tatiana Maslany for BBC America's "Orphan Black".
The other three finalists were TV Cultura from Brazil - a three-time winner of the ICDB Award; Canal Capital from Colombia - last year's winner of the ICDB Award, and Channels Television from Nigeria - first-time nomination.
Another new category is outstanding variety sketch series, which opens up a whole host of shows for first-time nominations.
This year's shortlist sees the return of several Mercury favourites, as well as first-time nominations for artists such as the 1975, Skepta, Kano and Jamie Woon.
She won in 1982 for 'Sophie's Choice . Helen Mirren took home the Best Actress Oscar in 2007 for playing Elizabeth II in 'The Queen,' and this is a first time Oscar nomination for Sandra Bullock, Gabourey Sidibe and Carey Mulligan.
The book-length rumination on race relations in America – new printings of Citizen have updated its list of black men killed in America – has been nominated in both poetry and criticism, the first time a dual nomination has ever been given.
For the first time since the nomination field became set in late summer, "it is possible" that Mr. Romney could lose, said Vin Weber, a Republican former congressman from Minnesota.
Mr. Maliki, 55, appeared stiff and nervous before television cameras as he spoke for the first time after his nomination by Shiite political parties on Saturday morning.
Last week, Hewitt had Ryan on his show again, and the radio host said he was sorry: H.H.: I want to begin by saying when you were on the show the first time after your nomination, I surprised you with a question.
It is the first time a joint nomination has been chosen out of the 15 regional winners from across the UK.
