The 2025 Emmy nominations were unveiled on July 15, sparking a flurry of reactions, from excitement to disappointment. While some shows and actors received much-deserved recognition, others were left out in surprising omissions.
Surprising Nominations
Severance and The Penguin dominated the nominations, securing the most nods of the season, while The White Lotus also earned several accolades.
New shows like The Studio, The Pitt, and Nobody Wants This made their mark with nominations, marking exciting moments for fresh talent in television.
One of the standout surprises came from Meghann Fahy, who scored her first Lead Actress in a Drama Series nomination for her role in Sirens. Fahy’s performance had been widely praised, and the nomination was a big moment in her career.
Colman Domingo earned a nod for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in The Four Seasons, while Uzo Aduba was recognized in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role in the Netflix show The Residence, despite the series’ cancellation after just one season.
Also making waves were Sharon Horgan, who received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Bad Sisters, and Robby Hoffman, who earned a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Hacks.
Other Surprises
Some shows and performers that were unexpected nominees included Paradise, which secured a Best Drama Series nod in its debut season, and What We Do in the Shadows, which earned a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Jeff Hiller also received a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for Somebody Somewhere, further proving the diversity of talent this season.
However, not all the surprises were positive.
Major Snubs
Selena Gomez and Steve Martin were shockingly snubbed for their performances in Only Murders in the Building, despite the show’s popularity and critical acclaim. Meryl Streep and Melissa McCarthy, who joined the show in its latest season, were also left off the nomination list.
Additionally, House of the Dragon and Squid Game were notably absent from the nominations list, leaving fans disappointed. The highly acclaimed Elisabeth Moss was snubbed for her final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, and Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford failed to earn nominations for their roles in 1923, despite their star power.
Other Notable Omissions
Natasha Lyonne was left out for Poker Face, a role many had predicted would earn her recognition.
Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, and Leslie Bibb were excluded from The White Lotus nominations, which surprised many given the praise the series has received.
Allison Janney was snubbed for her role in The Diplomat, and Billy Bob Thornton, Al Larter, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore were overlooked for their roles in Landman.
The absence of Eddie Redmayne for his role in The Day of the Jackal also raised eyebrows, as many had expected a nod for his powerful performance.
Surprising Exclusions from Hacks
Despite Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder being nominated for their roles in Hacks, Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs were excluded from the nominations, leaving fans wondering why the supporting talent wasn’t recognized.
Similarly, Bowen Yang earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live, but co-stars Kenan Thompson and Heidi Garner were left off the list. Notably, SNL didn’t receive any guest star nominations either.
Other Exclusions
Jack Lowden from Slow Horses, Dichen Lachman from Severance, and Diego Luna from Andor were all snubbed, despite their excellent performances. Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney missed out on an Outstanding Talk Series nomination, and Renée Zellweger was surprisingly left out for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Longtime Shows Left Behind
Some longstanding shows were left without recognition, including Agatha All Along and Bridgerton, which didn’t receive acting nominations. The Voice, which had been nominated for Outstanding Reality Competition Program every year since 2012 and won four times, was also absent from the category this year.
Recap of the Big Winners from Last Year
Last year, Shōgun and The Bear were the biggest winners at the Emmy Awards. Shōgun dominated with 25 nominations and won Outstanding Drama Series, while Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai took home lead acting honors.
The Bear also dominated the comedy categories, with Jeremy Allen White, Liza Colón-Zayas, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jon Bernthal taking home awards. Jean Smart earned her third trophy for her role in Hacks, and Hacks also won Outstanding Comedy Series.
What’s Next for the 2025 Emmys?
As the 2025 Emmy Awards approach, the stage is set for some exciting wins, but there are certainly plenty of surprises and snubs that will keep fans talking. The 77th Emmy Awards will air live on Sunday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, streaming live on Paramount+.
