Every awards season comes with its fair share of surprises, but the 2025 Emmy nominations have left fans and critics scratching their heads. As the television landscape continues to evolve, embracing streaming dominance, the boom of limited series, and genre-bending storytelling. The Emmys still seem to struggle with recognizing some of the most daring and beloved work on the small screen. This year’s list of nominees, while not without merit, has sparked fresh debates about who gets left behind, and more importantly, why.
From overlooked breakout performances to entire shows that redefined the medium but failed to secure a single nod, the 2025 snubs are both frustrating and revealing. Are Emmy voters out of step with audiences, or are they simply playing it safe in a year marked by an abundance of content?
In this article, we break down the most glaring omissions from this year’s nominations:
Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, and Leslie Bibb Miss Out on ‘White Lotus’ Emmy Glory
In a series as ensemble-heavy and critically adored as The White Lotus, some omissions were inevitable. Still, the absence of Patrick Schwarzenegger, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, and Leslie Bibb from this year’s Emmy nominations stings. Each delivered compelling, nuanced performances that added texture and emotional weight to the show’s latest chapter, but found themselves edged out in an exceptionally crowded field, despite several of their co-stars securing spots in both supporting and guest categories. This feels less like a reflection of their performances and more like a numbers game, where a surplus of standout talent forced tough decisions. Still, it’s hard not to see this as a missed opportunity to recognize the full depth of a cast that helped make The White Lotus one of the year’s most talked-about shows.
Elisabeth Moss Overlooked for Final Season of The Handmaid’s Tale
Despite being the emotional anchor and driving force behind The Handmaid’s Tale for six seasons, Elisabeth Moss was noticeably absent from this year’s nominations, marking a surprising end to her Emmy journey with the show. Moss, who previously received four nominations and won once for her portrayal of June Osborne, delivered a powerful and emotionally layered performance in the series’ final chapter—one that many expected would earn her a farewell nod. The omission is particularly striking given the show’s prestige and the role’s demanding intensity, which Moss has carried with unwavering strength and nuance.
Agatha All Along Fails to Cast a Spell on Emmy Voters
Despite high expectations and the undeniable charisma of Kathryn Hahn, Agatha All Along was completely shut out in the acting categories, leaving fans bewildered. Hahn, a previous Emmy nominee for her original turn as Agatha Harkness in WandaVision, seemed poised for a triumphant return, backed by a strong ensemble. But even with Marvel’s production muscle and the series’ buzzy debut, the Television Academy didn’t bite. It’s a stark reminder that genre success and audience enthusiasm don’t always translate to award recognition, especially in a year as competitive as this.
Yellowjackets Left Out in the Cold
After an acclaimed two seasons that made waves both critically and culturally, Yellowjackets came up completely empty-handed in this year’s nominations. The survival thriller, once hailed for its genre-blending boldness and powerhouse performances, couldn’t muster a single nod—an outcome that shocked both fans and pundits. Whether it’s due to stiffer competition or the Academy’s waning attention span, this snub feels especially harsh for a show that once had serious momentum.
The Bear Creator Chris Storer Gets Burned
While The Bear racked up a fresh batch of nominations, one primary name was missing from the list: creator and executive producer Chris Storer. A four-time Emmy winner for his work on the show’s breakout season, Storer’s absence from key writing and directing categories this time around raises eyebrows. Given his central role in crafting the show’s distinctive voice and pacing, his snub feels like a significant oversight, particularly when The Bear continues to dominate the cultural conversation.
Squid Game Season 3 Doesn’t Make the Cut
Following a historic first season that earned 14 Emmy nominations and broke ground as the first non-English language drama to earn a Best Drama nomination, Squid Game returned with high expectations. Unfortunately, the Television Academy greeted its final season with silence. Whether the final chapter failed to capture the same lightning in a bottle or simply fell victim to the crowded field, its complete shutout is a stunning reversal for a series once seen as a global Emmy juggernaut.
Eddie Redmayne’s Day of the Jackal Performance Gets Overlooked
It’s rare for an actor to earn Golden Globe nominations only to be ignored by the Emmys, but that’s precisely what happened to Eddie Redmayne for his chilling turn in The Day of the Jackal. His portrayal of the titular assassin was widely praised, and many expected him to be a lock for recognition. The lack of an Emmy nod suggests either a shift in momentum or that the Television Academy simply didn’t connect with the limited series. Still, with a second season on the horizon, Redmayne may yet have another shot at gold.
Renée Zellweger Falls Victim to the TV-Movie Curse
Renée Zellweger seemed like a sure bet to finally crack the long-dormant TV-movie acting category with Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, but Emmy voters weren’t convinced. Despite a high-profile performance, significant buzz, and the novelty of reprising an Oscar-nominated role for the small screen, Zellweger missed out, continuing a seven-year streak of no lead actress nominations from a TV movie. The film, which streamed on Peacock and garnered impressive international box office numbers, technically met the eligibility rules, but perhaps voters saw through the strategy. Still, in a role that could’ve made Emmy history, Zellweger’s absence feels like a classic case of category fatigue and timing misfire.
Only Murders in the Building Shrinks in a Crowded Field
After a strong showing last year and a recent SAG Awards win, Only Murders in the Building seemed poised to keep its Emmy momentum going, but the 2025 nominations told a different story. Martin Short was the only cast member recognized this time around, with both Steve Martin and Selena Gomez shut out of the acting categories. Gomez, still without an Emmy win for her work on the show, was thought to have a solid shot following a well-received fourth season. And with the show’s total nomination count dropping, it’s clear that even fan-favorite series aren’t immune to the squeeze of an increasingly competitive comedy field.
