American Horror Story Picks Up 17 Emmy Noms

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On Thursday, the nominations for the 2014 Emmy Awards were announced with American Horror Story picking up 17 nominations, making it the third most-nominated series of the year. It follows closely behind HBO's Game of Thrones with 19 and FX's new series, Fargo, which earned 18.

Among the nominees adding to AHS' tally, Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange who will battle it out for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie as well as Frances Conroy, Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates who all earned nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress. The show is also up for Outstanding Miniseries, a category that, this year, was separated from Outstanding Television Movie, which honored The Normal Heart.

HBO's adaptation of Larry Kramer's play also earned a number of accolades for its cast. Mark Ruffalo is up for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie while the rest of the male supporting cast, including Matt Bomer, Alfred Molina, Joe Mantello, and Jim Parsons (a double nom for Big Bang Theory), are all up for Outstanding Support Actor. Julia Roberts was also nominated and will face Bates and Conroy in the same category.

Modern Family picked up the usual nominations for acting and Outstanding Comedy. If the show wins the main category, it will tie Frasier for five consecutive wins. But the show is up against Orange Is the New Black.

The Netflix series made its mark in the comedy categories with Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox -- a first for transgender women in an acting category --, Natasha Lyonne, and Kate Mulgrew picking up acting nominations. Jodie Foster also earned a nomination for directing the episode, "Lesbian Request Denied."

After a MVP year on Saturday Night Live, Kate McKinnon picked up a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy.

Other favorites that earned noms include House of Cards, Masters of Sex, and Downton Abbey.

Check out the complete list of nominees here.