He helped kickoff Showtime’s Homeland with a bang, making it one of this season’s hottest new shows… And, now Michael Cuesta is getting kudos for his exceptional work behind the camera.

The 48-year-old Latino filmmaker has received a DGA Award nomination from the Directors Guild of America in the dramatic series category for helming Homeland’s pilot episode.

Homeland—which stars Claire Daines as a CIA officer who believes an American Marine, who was held captive by Al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war, was turned by the enemy and poses a significant risk to national security—has been renewed for a second season of 12 episodes. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2012.

“The caliber of work being done on television these days is incredible, and our director nominees in each category are an indispensable element to the success of every project — establishing and enhancing the vision and tone, eliciting outstanding performances and furthering the narrative arc through their creative choices,” said Directors Guild of America president Taylor Hackford. “That they are able to create excellence regardless of obstacles like tighter schedules and in an environment in which audiences have more entertainment options to choose from — is a true testament to the importance of directorial skill in television.”

Cuesta, who has perviously directed television episodes of Dexter, Six Feet Under, Blue Bloods and True Blood, will face off against the directors of episodes of Friday Night Lights, Game of Thrones, The Killing and Breaking Bad.

The winners will be announced at the 64th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 28, 2012.