A host of stars are expected later at the Golden Globes, one of the biggest Hollywood awards after the Oscars. Comedy actresses Amy Poehler and Tina Fey will host the event, to take place at Los Angeles’s Beverly Hilton Hotel. Steven Spielberg’s presidential biopic Lincoln is up for seven prizes, among them best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis. The Globes also recognises achievements in television, with Downton Abbey in contention for three awards including best drama series.
British singer Adele is expected to make her first public appearance at the ceremony since having a baby in October. The 24-year-old chart-topper is nominated for best original song for her title track to the James Bond film Skyfall. Lincoln’s competition for the best film drama award includes Ben Affleck’s hostage drama Argo and Quentin Tarantino’s western Django Unchained.
Life of Pi, Ang Lee’s adaption of the Yann Martel novel, and Zero Dark Thirty, Kathryn Bigelow’s film about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, complete the nominees in the category. The Golden Globes gives a separate accolade for best film musical or comedy, where Tom Hooper’s film of stage hit Les Miserables is considered a frontrunner.
Silver Linings Playbook, Moonrise Kingdom, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel are also shortlisted for this prize. In the drama actor category, Day-Lewis is shortlisted alongside fellow Oscar candidates Denzel Washington and Joaquin Phoenix.
Les Miserables lead Hugh Jackman and Silver Linings Playbook star Bradley Cooper, this year’s other best actor Oscar nominees, will compete at the Globes for the best actor in a musical or comedy prize.
Dame Helen Mirren and Rachel Weisz fly the flag for Britain in the best actress in a drama category, where they are nominated for Hitchcock and The Deep Blue Sea respectively.
There is more British talent on display in the best actress in a musical or comedy category, where Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and Emily Blunt are all in contention.
Homeland star Damian Lewis, Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch and Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery are among the British stars in line for the event’s TV prizes.
Dame Maggie receives a second nomination – for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television – for her work in Downton.
Fey and Poehler take over presenter duties from Britain’s Ricky Gervais, who had hosted the ceremony for the last three years.
The pair are both nominated for the best TV comedy actress prize for their work in 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation respectively.
Assisting them on stage will be Mr and Miss Golden Globes, the recipients of honorary titles that are traditionally awarded annually to the children of celebrities with their own ambitions in the industry.
Sam Michael Fox, son of Michael J Fox, and Clint Eastwood’s daughter Francesca are the two scions selected this year by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA), organisers of the awards.
Jodie Foster, a seven-time Globe nominee and two-time Oscar winner, will receive the Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement.
The ceremony will be aired live in the US on the NBC network, with edited highlights to follow in the UK on the 5USA channel on Monday.
