As streaming giants battle for awards dominance, breakout series and overdue nods share the spotlight. But key omissions highlight the limits of even the most stacked slate.
The nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards are in, and this year’s list is packed with history-making moments, surprise underdogs, and a few eyebrow-raising omissions.
It’s a stacked race that reflects not only the peak of TV prestige but the platform arms race still defining the industry. With standout performances, record-setting series, and long-overdue nods, this year’s slate also reminds us of the sheer volume of quality television, where for every big win, there’s an equally shocking oversight.
Key Takeaways
Leading the charge is Severance, which returned for its second season to critical acclaim and garnered a staggering 27 nominations, making it the most-nominated show of the year and a significant win for Apple TV+. But when it comes to sheer volume, HBO Max dominated the field with a record-breaking 142 total nominations, powered by heavy hitters like The Penguin (24), The White Lotus (23), The Last of Us (16), and Hacks (14). The performance cements the platform’s status as an Emmys powerhouse, well ahead of Netflix and its competitors.
One of this year’s biggest breakout stories is The Studio, which scored 23 nominations, setting a new Emmy record for a freshman comedy series and surpassing Ted Lasso’s previous mark of 20. Meanwhile, Netflix’s Adolescence pulled off a surprise coup in the limited series category, snagging 13 nods and outpacing last year’s buzzy breakout, Baby Reindeer. Ayo Edebiri earned double recognition this year, landing her third consecutive Lead Actress nomination for The Bear and her first-ever directing nod for helming the standout episode “Napkins.”
There were plenty of fresh faces joining the Emmy conversation for the first time: Harrison Ford earned a long-overdue nomination for his role in Shrinking, and Adam Brody got a nod for his work in Nobody Wants This. Severance stars Britt Lower and Tramell Tillman also broke through with first-time nominations, further proof that the dystopian workplace drama has struck a major chord.
In a surprise twist, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese received his first-ever Emmy acting nomination, earning a nod for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series after appearing as himself in Apple TV+’s The Studio – a remarkable milestone for the 82‑year‑old director. Kathy Bates also made history this year, becoming the oldest actress ever nominated in the lead drama category at age 77 for her performance in CBS’s Matlock reboot. The two-time Emmy winner continues to break barriers decades into her career.
In the reality TV world, RuPaul continues to set the bar higher with RuPaul’s Drag Race, becoming the most-nominated host in Emmys history after earning 10 more nominations this year. And then there’s Beyoncé, who might finally secure that elusive Emmy win. Her Cowboy Carter NFL halftime special scored not one but two nominations, going head-to-head with Saturday Night Live in the variety special categories.
With a mix of franchise dominance, platform records, and long-overdue recognition, this year’s nominations tell a story of where TV is headed–and who’s still leading the way.
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The Snubs
Of course, every nomination list has its omissions, and this year’s were hard to miss. Despite its global success and cultural impact, Squid Game was completely shut out, which is a stark contrast to its awards season sweep just a few years ago. The likely reason? A delayed release cycle may have caused eligibility confusion or weakened voter momentum.
Diego Luna was another major miss for his nuanced portrayal in Andor, especially after the Star Wars series earned critical praise across the board. Elisabeth Moss, who’s been an Emmys mainstay, was overlooked for her final-season performance in The Handmaid’s Tale, a show that helped define the prestige TV era.
Other surprising snubs include Only Murders in the Building, which was noticeably absent from several major categories despite a star-studded third season, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which garnered buzz and strong viewership but didn’t convert that momentum into nominations.
Another notable shift occurred in the reality competition category, where The Voice was excluded from the Emmy conversation for the first time since 2012. Its spot was claimed by Survivor, which returns to the category after missing out last year, signaling a broader shake-up in unscripted television. With The Traitors looking to repeat its breakout Emmy win and RuPaul’s Drag Race extending its reign, the competition continues to evolve and grow.
Every deserving show can’t make the cut because there’s simply too much prestige TV in the mix. However, when series that shape the cultural conversation are left out entirely, it always raises questions about how visibility, timing, and voter fatigue influence what gets recognized.
Tuned In
The Emmys may still be months out, but the race is already in full swing. With breakout debuts, historic milestones, and platform power plays, this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be a must-watch. Not every great show can take home a trophy, but the ones that do reflect the current landscape of television: bold, competitive, and impossible to look away from.
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