The 2025 Emmy Awards have delivered a series of surprising omissions, with many popular and critically acclaimed stars and shows left out of this year’s nominations. Some of the most notable snubs include the globally renowned drama Squid Game, past winners like Elisabeth Moss and Jon Hamm, and past nominees like Selena Gomez and the mystery thriller series Yellowjackets.
Squid Game, which previously won six Emmy Awards including best actor in a drama series for Lee Jung-jae during its breakout debut in 2022, failed to receive a single nomination for its second season. The third and final season is expected to be eligible for next year’s Emmys, but fans were disappointed by its complete absence in this cycle.
In another surprise, The Handmaid’s Tale, once a major Emmy favorite, earned just one nomination for Cherry Jones in a guest role, leaving out its lead Elisabeth Moss and other cast members. Despite the show’s consistent presence in past awards seasons, it was mostly shut out this year.
Yellowjackets, which had secured ten nominations across its first two seasons, received none for its recently concluded third season. Actor Jon Hamm, a familiar face to the Emmys thanks to his long run on Mad Men, was also left out despite a return to a starring role in Your Friends & Neighbors. The show managed only a single nod for its theme song, leaving Hamm off the list.
Further disappointments included A Man on the Inside, which saw Ted Danson excluded, and Ellen Pompeo, who failed to gain a nomination for her role in Good American Family. The Morning Show, which has been a frequent nominee in past years, also saw no recognition. Other series like Running Point, St. Denis Medical and Landman were absent from all categories.
Among individual acting omissions, several names stood out. Diego Luna, the lead in the Star Wars spin-off Andor, did not receive a nomination, despite the show itself earning 14 overall. Selena Gomez, previously nominated for her performance in Only Murders in the Building, was excluded this year. The cast of The Mountainhead, despite its connection to past Emmy darling Succession, also failed to make the cut.
The White Lotus saw several notable cast members left out, including Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sam Nivola, Michelle Monaghan and Leslie Bibb. Chase Sui Wonders from The Studio was also missing despite the show garnering 23 total nominations. Others overlooked include Rhenzy Feliz from The Penguin, Jacob Anderson from Interview With the Vampire, and Nicholas Alexander Chavez from Monsters.
In specific categories, some structural changes also caused unexpected results. The talk series category was trimmed to only three nomination slots, which resulted in programs like Late Night With Seth Meyers, Hot Ones, and Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney missing out. Notably, both Seth Meyers and Jamie Foxx did not receive nods for their popular stand-up specials.
Despite the long list of exclusions, there were a few surprise inclusions. Meghann Fahy earned a nomination for best actress in a limited series for Sirens, even though the show did not receive recognition in other key categories. Uzo Aduba was nominated for best actress in a comedy series for her role in The Residence, a surprising inclusion given the show’s recent cancellation.
Unexpectedly strong showings came from Hulu’s Paradise, which received more nominations than many experts had predicted. Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino’s Étoile, which was not expected to continue beyond its first season, still secured two nominations.
While the Emmy Awards are known for their surprises, this year’s list of snubs has already sparked debate and disappointment among fans and critics alike. With the third season of Squid Game and other eligible shows awaiting future consideration, the 2026 nominations could offer some redemption. Until then, this year's exclusions highlight the unpredictable nature of awards season and how even the most celebrated stars and series can sometimes be left in the shadows.
