Actors Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor lead the charge for British success at the Golden Globes with two nominations each.

Elba, who rose to fame as ruthless drug dealer Stringer Bell in US drama The Wire, is nominated for best actor in a motion picture for his performance as Nelson Mandela in Long Road To Freedom.

He is also up for the best actor in a mini-series or TV movie category for his role as the troubled detective in the BBC's Luther.

Ejiofor is nominated in the same category for another BBC drama, Dancing On The Edge, while his role in Steve McQueen's epic 12 Years A Slave gets him a nod for best actor in a motion picture.

The film, based on the true story of New Yorker Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery as an adult, is tied with crime caper American Hustle for the most nominations with seven each.

It is in the running for awards including best motion picture drama, best original score, best motion picture screenplay and best supporting actor for Michael Fassbender.

McQueen is nominated for best director alongside Gravity's Alfonso Cuaron, American Hustle's David O. Russell, Nebraska's Alexander Payne and Paul Greengrass for piracy drama Captain Phillips.

The shortlist for best actor is completed by Matthew McConaughey, Tom Hanks and Robert Redford.

The nominees for best actress in a motion picture drama reads like a roll call of UK acting talent with nods for Emma Thompson in Saving Mr Banks, Kate Winslet in Labor Day and Dame Judi Dench for Philomena.

UK-based Cate Blanchett is also nominated for her performance in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine and Sandra Bullock is recognised for Gravity.

The other nominees for best motion picture drama are Gravity, Captain Phillips, Rush and Philomena.

The event takes place on January 12 next year.