Sydney Sweeney has just become a first-time Emmy Award nominee. The actress has earned nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series category for her portrayal of Cassie Howard in HBO's Euphoria and in the outstanding limited series category for HBO's The White Lotus, for her role as Olivia Mossbacher. Sweeney learned the news as she sat in her car, between fittings and rehearsals for the upcoming Madame Web, as her "phone started blowing up." Sweeney took to Instagram to share an emotional phone call with her mother.
Shortly after receiving the news about her nominations, Sweeney told People:
"I'm excited, I'm in disbelief, I'm beyond appreciative. It's a great day!"
The actress also told the publication that the nominations came as a complete surprise.
"I wasn't really expecting this. When I fell in love with acting, and when I fall in love with my characters, I don't really think about the whole award aspect of it. I think there are so many incredibly actors that I was rooting for, so I wasn't ready," she said.
Euphoria earned 16 Emmy nominations, with Zendaya making history as the youngest two-time acting nominee, while The White Lotus earned 20 nominations. Connie Britton and Steve Zahn, who play Sweeney's parents in The White Lotus, also picked up nominations.
Jerrod Carmichael (Saturday Night Live and Rothaniel), Julia Garner (Ozark and Inventing Anna), Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul and Cooper's Bar), Harriet Walter (Ted Lasso and Succession), and Bill Hader (Barry and Curb Your Enthusiasm) also earned acting nominations for multiple projects.
The 74th Emmy Awards will air live on September 12 on NBC.
Euphoria and The White Lotus
On Euphoria, Sweeney plays love-hungry high-schooler Cassie while her The White Lotus character Olivia, is a smart and cynical college sophomore.
Sweeney has appeared on Euphoria since the show's premiere in 2019. Created and written by Sam Levinson, the series follows a group of high school students and their struggles with substance abuse, relationships, and identity. The show has received critical acclaim and is HBO's second most-watched show ever, following Game of Thrones. The second season premiered in January, and a month later the series was renewed for a third season.
The White Lotus is a satirical-comedy anthology created, written, and directed by Mike White. The series' first season follows the staff and guests of a Hawaiian resort. Sweeney will not appear in the show's second season, which will be set in Sicily, but told Variety that she "would love to go back."
Sweeney is currently filming Madame Web, a Marvel Universe solo movie starring Dakota Johnson as the titular character.