'Cranford' earns 3 BAFTA nominations

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LONDON, March 18 (UPI) -- The TV period drama "Cranford" led the field with three nods when nominations for the British Academy Television Awards were announced Tuesday.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts prize presentation is to be April 20 at the London Palladium.

"Cranford" was nominated for the best drama serial BAFTA, as well as the audience-voted award for program of the year, while its stars Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins will vie for the best actress BAFTA mask, along with "The Street" star Gina McKee and "It's a Free World" actress Kierston Wareing.

Also up for best drama serial are "Britz," "Five Days" and "Murphy's Law."

Nominated for best actor are Andrew Garfield from "Boy A," Tom Hardy from "Stuart: A Life Backwards," Matthew MacFadyen from "Secret Life" and Antony Sher from "Primo."

Competing for the best drama series gong are "Life on Mars," "Rome," "Skins" and "The Street."

In the running for best comedic performance are Peter Capaldi from "The Thick of It,"

James Corden from "Gavin and Stacey," Stephen Merchant from the "Extras Christmas Special" and David Mitchell from "Peep Show."

"Benidorm," "The It Crowd," "Peep Show" and "The Thick of It" all garnered nods for best situation comedy series.