Miniseries tops Golden Bell nods; Netflix show earns 3 lead actress spots

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) The period drama "Black Tide Island" (星空下的黑潮島嶼) leads this year's Golden Bell Awards with 16 nominations, while three actresses from Netflix's "Born for the Spotlight" (影后) will be vying for Best Leading Actress in a Television Series.

The Golden Bell Awards, often described as Taiwan's equivalent of the Emmys, unveiled this year's nominees on Monday.

"Black Tide Island," centered on jailed dissidents in 1950s Taiwan, has been nominated for Best Miniseries, Creative Award for a Drama Series, and Best Directing for a Miniseries or Television Film.

The series' leading actor, Wu Nien-hsuan (吳念軒), also received a nod for best leading actor in a miniseries or television film, while River Huang (黃河), Liu Cheng-en (劉承恩) and Mu Mei (睦媄) were shortlisted for supporting roles.

In the television series category, "Born for the Spotlight" and "The Outlaw Doctor" (化外之醫) tied for first with 15 nominations each, including Best Television Series, Best Directing, and Best Writing.

Notably, three of "Born for the Spotlight's" leading actresses -- Cheryl Yang (楊謹華), Suri Lin (林廷憶) and Hsieh Ying-xuan (謝盈萱) -- will compete against each other for Best Leading Actress in a Television Series.

Also nominated are Alice Ko (柯佳嬿) for "I Am Married ... But!" (童話故事下集), and Ning Chang (張鈞甯) for the crime drama "The Outlaw Doctor."

Meanwhile, nominees for Best Leading Actor in a Television Series include Wayne Song (宋偉恩) for "A Second Chance of Life" (血·拾人生), Alex Ko (柯叔元) for "Arong and Ayu" (阿榮與阿玉), Fandy Fan (范少勳) for "Monday Again?!" (X!又是星期一), Liên Bỉnh Phát for "The Outlaw Doctor," and Yo Yang (楊祐寧) for "Us Without Sex" (今夜一起為愛鼓掌).

The Special Contribution Award will be presented to veteran actress Chen Shu-fang (陳淑芳) and set decorator Yeh Hui-lung (葉輝龍).