A Very British Emmys? This Could Be One of Those Years.

Each year, the Emmys show us how thoroughly the Brits have colonized U.S. television. From the successful remakes (The Office, Dancing with the Stars) to the high-quality natural history programs (Life), it’s clear that the UK has perfected the art of the not-so-small screen in ways that Hollywood can’t ignore. Check out some of the big Brit Emmy nominees that were announced today:

The BBC itself scored 30 total nominations, including a fifth consecutive nomination for Dancing with the Stars in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program category.

BBC’s documentary series Life grabbed six nominations, including Outstanding Nonfiction Series. The series, now available on DVD and Blu-ray, was also nominated for its stunning cinematography, seen in the clips below.

The six-part documentary Monty Python: Almost The Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) is also nominated in Outstanding Nonfiction Series category.

Hugh Laurie has received his sixth nomination for House. While he hasn’t approached his countrywoman Angela Lansbury‘s record of 18 winless nominations, we can safely say the man is overdue.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution is up for Outstanding Reality Program.

Return to Cranford is nominated for Outstanding Miniseries. It has a 50 percent chance of winning since there’s only one other nominee in the category: HBO’s The Pacific. The international dramas Endgame and The Special Relationship are both up for Outstanding Made-for-TV Movie.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries features a faceoff of the Dames – Maggie Smith (Capturing Mary) and Judi Dench (Return to Cranford) are both nominated.

Sir Ian McKellen managed a nod for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries for his role in AMC’s remake of The Prisoner. He’s up against Michael Sheen, who reprised his role as Tony Blair in HBO’s The Special Relationship.

Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) has been recognized in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries category for playing Claudius in Hamlet (opposite former Doctor Who star David Tennant, who was snubbed today). He competes against fellow Brits Sir Michael Gambon (Mr. Woodhouse in Emma) and Jonathan Pryce (Return to Cranford) for the award.

In other news:

• Cat Deeley, the host of So You Think You Can Dance, was passed over by the TV Academy today. However, she has a quite delectable consolation prize at home. Her boyfriend Jack Huston – 27-year-old Twilight hunk, nephew of Anjelica, and Johnny Depp-lookalike – is interviewed in Details Magazine.
• Skins star Nicholas Hoult is set to star in X-Men: First Class. (Deadline)