Emmys reverse plan to merge miniseries/movie acting categories

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that it has reversed its decision to merge the lead and supporting acting categories for TV movies and miniseries.

That means there will be four acting categories for miniseries/movies when nominations for this year's Emmy Awards are announced -- leading actor, supporting actor, leading actress and supporting actress.

Last year, the organization had voted to consolidate the categories for these long-form genres, cutting those four awards down to two.

The reversal stems from an increase in production on TV movies and miniseries, ATAS explained.

"In March 2012, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Board of Governors had voted to consolidate the Outstanding Lead and Supporting categories for both longform (miniseries and movies) actors and actresses, reducing the total number of categories from four to two. In the ensuing year, longform production has increased," a statement released Thursday said. "Based on the unanticipated resurgence of television miniseries and movies, the Board voted tonight to reverse the consolidation, thereby reinstating the longform lead and supporting categories in the 65th Emmy Awards competition."

The entries deadline for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards is May 3. Nominations will be announced on July 18, and the Sept. 22 ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS.