Spielberg epic guns for Golden Globes

Steven Spielberg’s civil war epic Lincoln leads the race for honours at the Golden Globes on a shortlist where British talent shines across all the main categories.

Lincoln has seven nominations, including best drama, best director and acting honours for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.

Homeland star Damian Lewis is nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of US soldier Nicholas Brody in the best actor in a television drama series category alongside Mad Men’s Jon Hamm and Boardwalk Empire’s Steve Buscemi.

His co-star Claire Danes faces competition from Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery to be named best actress in a television drama series. The hit ITV costume drama is nominated for the best TV drama series along with US shows including Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad and Homeland, while BBC show Episodes is nominated for best television comedy series.

Ewan McGregor is up for the best actor in a musical or comedy film for his role in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, while Dame Helen Mirren is shortlisted for best actress in a dramatic film for Hitchcock, along with fellow Brit Rachel Weisz, for The Deep Blue Sea. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is nominated for best musical or comedy alongside Les Miserables, Moonrise Kingdom, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Silver Linings Playbook.

Dame Judi Dench’s turn in Marigold Hotel earns her a nomination for best actress in a musical or a comedy, along with fellow Britons Emily Blunt and Dame Maggie Smith for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Quartet respectively,

Dame Maggie gets a second nod for her performance in Downton Abbey, shortlisted for the best supporting actress in a miniseries or motion picture made for TV.

There are also nominations for BBC drama The Hour, along with The Girl which starred Sienna Miller as Tippi Hedren and Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock, with both performances recognised for best actor and actress in a miniseries or TV motion picture.