The 2025 Emmy nominations have been unveiled, showcasing a staggering 123 categories across the entire ballot. With 19 acting categories alone, it’s easy to overlook some nuanced details that make this year's awards particularly intriguing. As the dust settled after the announcement, a closer examination of the Emmy ballot revealed fascinating insights, trends, and trivia worth discussing.
One of the pressing questions is how many shows received a nomination for Best Series without any acting nominations. Additionally, fans are curious whether Saturday Night Live had a successful Emmy day or faced disappointment. Another surprising entry is a gay multi-camera sitcom set in Palm Springs, which has made it to the list of five best-directed episodes of the year.
The anticipation surrounding Andor, Tony Gilroy’s Star Wars series, was palpable. Following a lackluster showing in 2023, many hoped for a better outcome this year. While the show garnered a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, it disappointingly received no acting nominations. Although Forest Whitaker’s Guest Actor nod for his role as Saw Gerrera was a slight improvement, key performances by Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgard, and others went unrecognized. It seems that despite its acclaim, the prequel series could not capture significant voter support, underlining the competitive nature of the Emmy landscape.
Despite having only one nomination each for Drama (The Diplomat) and Comedy (Nobody Wants This), Netflix significantly dominated the Limited Series categories this year. For the first time since the rebranding of the category in 2015, Netflix secured three nominations for Outstanding Limited Series with Adolescence, Black Mirror, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. This achievement mirrors Hulu's 2020 feat but highlights Netflix's growing influence in this arena.
In addition to its series nominations, Netflix excelled in the Limited Series/TV Movie acting categories, capturing 10 out of the 22 available slots. Notable surprise nominations included Meghann Fahy for Sirens and Rashida Jones for Black Mirror. The platform also saw success in the stand-up comedy realm, with five of the six nominees in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category coming from Netflix, showcasing its stronghold in comedy content.
Actors often attract the most attention during the Emmys, and this year is no different. Here are some significant observations:
Noah Wyle received his sixth career nomination for The Pitt, marking his first in 26 years. Similarly, Joe Pantoliano earned his first nomination in over two decades for The Last of Us.Scott Glenn made waves with his first Emmy nomination at age 86, while Harrison Ford received his first-ever Emmy nomination for Shrinking at age 83.A record-tying number of 11 Oscar winners have been nominated for Emmys this year, indicating a blurring line between television and film talent.Emmy voters have their favorites, and this year’s nominations reflected that trend. Sterling K. Brown received his 11th nomination for Paradise, while Kathy Bates secured her 15th nomination for Matlock. Other notable nominees include Jane Alexander for her guest role in Severance and actors like Kathryn Hahn and Giancarlo Esposito, who continue to build impressive Emmy résumés.
However, some beloved favorites like Allison Janney and Ted Danson fell short this year. Janney’s absence for her role in The Diplomat and Danson’s failure to secure a nomination for A Man on the Inside surprised many, illustrating the unpredictable nature of Emmy nominations.
While the Emmys celebrated many successes, some shows experienced notable disappointments. House of the Dragon received only six nominations and failed to repeat its previous year’s success in the Outstanding Drama Series category. Similarly, high-profile productions like Dune Prophecy and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power garnered minimal recognition.
Moreover, the Taylor Sheridan Television Universe saw limited success, with shows like 1923 and Tulsa King receiving meager nominations despite their popularity. Even Yellowjackets and The Old Man went home empty-handed, highlighting the fierce competition in this year’s Emmy race.
The 2025 Emmy nominations reflect a complex landscape filled with both triumphs and disappointments. With a mix of surprises, returning favorites, and notable snubs, the Emmy race promises to be an exciting one. As we anticipate the awards ceremony, viewers are left pondering which nominees will rise to the occasion and secure their coveted trophies.
