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2025 Emmy Nominations Snubs and Surprises

JUL 16 2025·Updated JUL 17 2025

Story

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The Facts

The 2025 Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, with "Severance" leading with 27 nominations and "The Studio" earning 23 nods, setting a record for most nominations for a first-year comedy series.
Rolling Stone
People
Several major stars and hit shows were notably absent from the nominations, including Selena Gomez and Steve Martin for "Only Murders in the Building," despite the series earning a total of eight nominations.
E! Online
People
"Squid Game," which earned 14 nominations and won six Emmys for its first season in 2022, was completely shut out for its second season across all categories.
The New York Times
E! Online
Rolling Stone
"The Handmaid's Tale" concluded its six-season run with only one nomination for Cherry Jones' guest role, leaving out star Elisabeth Moss and the series from major categories.
Variety
E! Online
Rolling Stone
Surprise nominations included Harrison Ford earning his first Emmy nod at age 83 for "Shrinking" and Martin Scorsese receiving his first acting nomination for "The Studio."
INQUIRER.net
Vanity Fair
"The White Lotus" dominated acting categories with multiple nominations, but Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola, who played the Ratliff brothers, were left out of the supporting actor race.
New York Post
Gold Derby

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The Emmy nominations reflect a clear preference for fresh content over established favorites. Shows like "The Studio" and "Severance" rightfully dominated because they represent innovative storytelling that pushes television forward. The snubbing of repetitive series, such as the second season of "Squid Game," shows that voters recognize when shows lose their creative spark.

Vanity Fair

Rolling Stone

Narrative B

These nominations reveal a troubling bias against proven quality programming. Beloved series like "The Handmaid's Tale" and established stars like Elisabeth Moss deserved recognition for their final season work. The Academy's obsession with trendy new shows over consistent excellence undermines the credibility of the awards.

Variety