Even though the hit ITV/PBS drama, Downton Abbey, has had a presence at the Primetime Emmys the past couple of years, this year they have a lot of company that they are bringing with them from across the pond, laying further claim to the fact that the UK continues to produce the best television on television. With nominations just announced Thursday morning, Downton Abbey leads the way for the UK with 16 nominations (just behind AMC’s Mad Men and FX’s American Horror Story, both with 17 nods overall) followed by the brilliance of Sherlock, with 13 nominations.

Downton Abbey up for Best Drama Emmy

Photo courtesy ITV

Fresh off its 2011 Emmy for Best Mini-Series, the ITV/PBS juggernaut of a series has switched to the main category of Best Drama for the 2012 awards. Of course, that means playing with the big boys now as the stiff competition in that category will be Mad Men, Homeland, Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire. Both Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery are also up for Best Actor and Best Actress awards while Dame Maggie Smith, Joanne Froggat, Brendan Coyle and Jim Carter all received nominations for their respective roles in the series.

In the Mini-Series category, Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Idris Elba (Luther) and Clive Owen (Hemingway & Gellhorn) are pitted against one another, which is yet another huge tribute to the fact that the UK just knows how to do good television.

Wouldn’t be a party without Sherlock

Photo courtesy BBC

Speaking of Sherlock, the BBC/PBS series is up for 13 awards. In addition to the previously mentioned nomination for Benedict Cumberbatch, also nominated are Martin Freeman for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Mini-Series for show creator Steven Moffat and his work on the episode “A Scandal In Belgravia”.

Other UK nods were given to Emma Thompson for Best Actress in a Mini-Series for her role in “The Song Of Lunch” which was seen on PBS’ Masterpiece series and Damian Lewis, for his portrayal of Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in Homeland.

The Primetime Emmys will be held in Los Angeles on 23 September and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Earl of Downton Sixbey.