Emmy 2025 Snubs and Surprises: Who Got Left Behind and Who Shocked Everyone

The Emmy Awards are among the most prestigious honors in television, and each year, the nomination announcements stir excitement and disappointment alike. While some shows and stars bask in the spotlight, others suffer the sting of Emmy snubs, leaving fans and critics puzzled. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, set to air live on CBS on September 14 from the Peacock Theatre in DTLA, delivered a familiar mix of expectations met and surprises sprung.
Among the top nominees were hits like AppleTV+’s Severance, HBO Max’s The Pitt, Netflix’s Adolescence and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Mendendez Story, and HBO’s The White Lotus (Season 3). These series were joined by standout performances from Michelle Williams (Dying For Sex), Uzo Aduba (The Residence), and Seth Rogen (The Studio).
As always, some entries felt like sure bets—like Hacks, The Bear, and Abbott Elementary, all returning with strength. Even Slow Horses star Gary Oldman, now Sir Gary, landed a nomination, as did Succession creator Jesse Armstrong for Mountainhead. But not every standout show or performance made the cut.
Notable Emmy Snubs
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Squid Game – Once hailed as a cultural phenomenon, the Korean thriller was left completely out, despite its impact on global audiences.
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Selena Gomez – Overlooked again for her work in Only Murders in the Building, a show that’s received consistent attention otherwise.
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Diego Luna – His compelling performance in Disney+’s Andor, part of the Star Wars universe, was shockingly ignored by voters.
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Natasha Lyonne – Despite her charismatic role in Peacock’s Poker Face, the second season was left without recognition.
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Jon Hamm – Despite his dual roles in Your Friends & Neighbors and Landman, Hamm received no nominations, a surprise for such a well-established actor.
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Elisabeth Moss – The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale went unrecognized, leaving fans disappointed as Moss’s performance was a highlight.
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James Marsden – Even with Paradise doing well, Marsden’s powerful portrayal as POTUS in Hulu’s political thriller was overlooked.
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Allison Janney – Known for her gravitas and talent, Janney’s role in The Diplomat went unrecognized, a surprising omission for an Oscar winner.
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Seth Meyers – A former nominee, his show Late Night with Seth Meyers was left out, highlighting a growing trend of reducing late-night representation.
Unexpected Surprises
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Harrison Ford – Nominated for his performance in Shrinking, this marks Ford’s first Emmy nomination, a long-awaited nod for the iconic actor.
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Beyoncé – Her Netflix halftime show from the Christmas Day NFL game earned an Outstanding Variety Special (Live) nomination, showcasing her dominance across entertainment platforms.
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Martin Scorsese – The legendary director was nominated for his acting appearance in Apple TV+’s The Studio, a first-time acting nod for the iconic filmmaker.
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What We Do In The Shadows – Although the final episode aired in December 2024, the FX vampire comedy made it into the nominations, proving its lasting popularity.
As always, the Emmy nominations reflect a complex mix of politics, popularity, and critical acclaim. This year, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences sent strong messages about what content continues to resonate—and what it’s ready to leave behind.