Emmy Nominations Reveal Surprises, Snubs, and Stirring Firsts in Television’s Biggest Night
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
15 July 2025
The Television Academy dropped its 2025 Emmy nominations on July 15, delivering a dazzling tally that celebrates both celebrated series and unexpected breakout wins while also spotlighting glaring omissions, painting a portrait of a changing television landscape where fresh faces and unconventional shows are thriving despite high-profile exclusions.
Topping the list in drama were Apple TV+ standout Severance, which earned an impressive 27 nominations, and fan favorites like The White Lotus alongside newcomers Paradise and The Studio, all recognized for their storytelling excellence. Across genres, The Studio also led comedy contenders with 23 nominations, signaling a healthy appetite for boundary-pushing satire and insider humor.
Fresh faces earned their moment in the spotlight. Meghann Fahy achieved her first lead actress nomination for Sirens, while Colman Domingo and Uzo Aduba collected nods for their comedic turns in The Four Seasons and The Residence. Sharon Horgan earned acclaim for Bad Sisters, Ron Howard surprised audiences with a guest actor nomination for The Studio, and Paradise received a prestigious drama nod in its debut season. Even veteran Harrison Ford made Emmy history with his first-ever nomination, a supporting actor nod for Shrinking alongside credits for Jason Segel and Jessica Williams.
Yet the awards race also stirred debate with notable snubs. Selena Gomez and Steve Martin were overlooked for Only Murders in the Building, and beloved dramas such as House of the Dragon, 1923, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Squid Game failed to receive acting nominations. Other surprising absences included Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), Allison Janney (The Diplomat), Patrick Schwarzenegger (The White Lotus), and fans were stunned to see no guest nods for Saturday Night Live’s Kenan Thompson and Heidi Gardner.
Several shows that sparked early buzz also earned nods: Netflix’s limited‑series Adolescence secured 13 nominations, including a record‑setting performance nod for young Owen Cooper; The Penguin, Black Mirror, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story each earned strong placements. Comedy and variety genres reflected similar eclecticism: Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and The Bear once again drew attention, while newcomers like Somebody Somewhere and Nobody Wants This claimed spots in the lead comedy categories.
The mix of established powerhouses and unexpected nominees underlines a broader shift: Emmy voters appear to be rewarding self-referential Hollywood comedies and character-driven storytelling while pulling back from genre-heavy, franchise, and dystopian fare, indicating a taste for smaller-scale, emotionally grounded work.
All of this leads to a ceremony that promises to be one of the most unpredictable in years. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, set for September 14 at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater and hosted by Nate Bargatze, will air live on ABC and Paramount+
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