Game of Thrones dominated the Emmy nominations for its final season, breaking records by earning the most Emmy noms for a single show in one year for the 2019 awards cycle. But reaching that number was not just HBO's doing. In fact, a handful of the Game of Thrones actors who scored nominations this year were not even submitted for consideration by the network. According to Entertainment Weekly, Gwendoline Christie submitted herself for her 2019 Emmy nomination, and ended up getting rewarded for it.

Christie scored her first-ever Emmy nomination for her role as Brienne of Tarth in the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones this year, and she can thank herself for getting that recognition. As usual, HBO submitted much of its main actors to be considered for nominations in the acting categories, but with a cast as expansive as Game of Thrones, it seems even some of the best performances were overlooked. While the network of course submitted leads such as Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and others for Emmy consideration, Christie took it upon herself to throw her own name into the mix.

Christie's performance as Brienne of Tarth was an inarguable standout in the final season of Game of Thrones. The season gave Brienne her most emotional story arcs ever, including finally being knighted despite the position's gender restrictions, acting on her romantic feelings for Jaime Lannister, and breaking down into tears when Jaime then left her for his sister.

HBO

Another major detail about Christie's career milestone is that she was nominated alongside three other Game of Thrones stars in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams all received nominations as well, marking the first time that four people from the same drama series have been up against one another in the category.

Christie is not the only Game of Thrones star who earned an Emmy nomination after not being submitted by HBO. Alfie Allen, who played Theon Greyjoy on the show, also scored a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series after submitting himself for consideration. Carice van Houten, who played Melisandre, earned her nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series by self-submitting as well.

Considering the record-breaking 32 nominations the series earned for its final season, Game of Thrones is widely expected to take home multiple trophies at the 2019 Emmy Awards. Along with crowding both the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories with its sprawling cast, the show's leads Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are representing the series in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series categories. The show as a whole is up for tons of technical awards — including achievements in music, costumes, production design, and more — as well as the big award of Outstanding Drama Series.

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards air at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 22, on FOX.