Despite a whopping 21 nominations, the cast and crew ofThe Handmaid’s Talewalked away from the2021 Emmy Awardsempty-handed.

The Handmaid’s Talewas nominated for several awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, as well as in the outstanding writing and directing categories at the primetime show. The Hulu show was also nominated for outstanding drama series, and its cast members racked up eight acting nods.

StarElisabeth Mosswas nominated for outstanding lead actress, whileBradley Whitford,O-T FagbenleandMax Minghellaall received nods for outstanding supporting actor. Finally,Ann Dowd,Yvonne Strahovski,Samira Wileyand Madeline Brewer were nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series.

The Handmaid’s Tale.Jasper Savage/Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale – “Mayday” - Episode 313 – With her plan in place, June reaches the point of no return on her bold strike against Gilead and must decide how far she’s willing to go. Serena Joy and Commander Waterford attempt to find their way forward in their new lives. June (Elisabeth Moss), shown.

The Handmaid’s Tale,based on the Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, premiered in 2017.

That year, the show earned eight wins at the Emmys, including outstanding drama series and individual acting awards for Moss, Dowd andAlexis Bledel. This is the first year it has won zero Emmys since it premiered.

Thefourth seasonofHandmaid’sdebuted earlier this year, and it has been renewed for a fifth.

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The Handmaid’s Tale.Sophie Giraud/Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale – “Bear Witness” - Episode 310 – Ready to strike back at her oppressors, June starts making arrangements for an ambitious plan, but a devious ploy on the part of Commander Waterford threatens to derail her. In Canada, hope turns to tragedy for Moira, Luke, and Emily. Joseph (Bradley Whitford), Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), and Fred (Joseph Fiennes), shown

Ahead of Sunday’s show, Dowd appeared on the PEOPLE andEntertainment Weeklyred carpet and opened up to hosts Janine Rubenstein and Jeremy Parsons about how filmingHandmaid’shas been one of the bright spots of the COVID-19 pandemic for her.

The 65-year-old actress said she “made new friends with anxiety” during the health crisis, adding, “I assume we all have.”

“I realized I thought I already knew how much work means to me, but the profound gratitude of getting back to work, and people making it — Hulu, in our case — making it so safe,” she continued. “We could do our work without worrying. Come on now, what is better? Considering the suffering in the world.”

source: people.com