The 77th Emmy Awards nominations are officially here, and this year’s lineup is making waves. Apple TV+ is making a major splash, led by Severance and The Bear, dominating the drama and comedy categories with 27 and 23 nominations respectively - The Bear setting a new record for most nominations for a comedy in its debut season. Meanwhile, HBO Max has reclaimed its spot as the most-nominated network, earning a whopping 142 nods and breaking its own record from 2022.
This year’s nominations showcase a mix of beloved favorites like The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Abbott Elementary, alongside fresh contenders shaking up the landscape. New Emmy rules are also in play, including limits on guest acting nominations and directors submitting multiple works in one category. With the ceremony set for September 14, it’s shaping up to be a historic celebration of television’s most creative and competitive year yet.
Here are the six biggest surprises from this year’s Emmy nominations:
The Last of Us Leads Were Both Nominated Despite Season 2’s Reaction
Despite mixed reactions online, The Last of Us Season 2 has secured nominations in this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards. Both Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey have been nominated again, surprising some fans and critics alike. Pascal’s nomination was unexpected by many due to his relatively limited screen time after his character’s impactful exit in Season 1. Meanwhile, Bella Ramsey has faced significant social media backlash, particularly from devoted gamers, who feel the live-action portrayal of Ellie doesn’t align with their expectations-especially regarding appearance and character interpretation.
However, much of these changes stem from creative choices made by showrunner Craig Mazin and original game creator Neil Druckmann, who opted for different narrative directions in the adaptation. One notable example is Ellie’s reaction to Dina’s pregnancy news, with the line “I’m going to be a Dad” drawing criticism for its gender-blurring phrasing and departure from the game’s original characterization of Ellie.
Despite the controversy, it’s encouraging to see Bella Ramsey nominated alongside Pedro Pascal for their performances in The Last of Us. The upcoming Season 3, which features a new lead and lacks Pascal’s charismatic presence, leaves fans wondering how it will be received during awards season. Additionally, since Season 2, the showrunners have parted ways, with Neil Druckmann returning to focus solely on the games-fueling speculation about creative disagreements both behind the scenes and among the audience concerning the story’s direction.
It’s also worth noting that Bella Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, has been nominated in the lead female category.
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon Not Nominated For The White Lotus
One notable snub from the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards is Patrick Schwarzenegger’s omission from the nominations for his role in The White Lotus Season 3. While several of his co-stars-including Walton Goggins and Parker Posey-received nods in both supporting and guest categories, Schwarzenegger, who portrayed the memorable Saxon Ratliff, was left out.
Saxon, the eldest son of Parker Posey and Jason Isaacs’ characters, stands alongside his siblings Lochlan (played by Sam Nivola) and Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook). Schwarzenegger’s character arc-from a privileged, neo-baby frat boy to a more spiritually open and morally grounded individual-was one of the most striking developments of the season. Whether it was the transformation itself or his overall presence, Saxon’s journey remains a standout.
Though he missed out on an Emmy nomination, Schwarzenegger’s performance is definitely worth revisiting, especially in Variety Studio: Actors on Actors, where he sits down with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to discuss his explicit and layered role in The White Lotus.
Katherine Hahn Nominated For The Studio Over Agatha All Along
Katherine Hahn’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards was well-deserved but it came with a surprise. Rather than being recognized for her leading role as Agatha Harkness in Marvel’s Agatha: All Along, Hahn earned her nod for playing Maya, the marketing manager in Seth Rogen’s The Studio.
While The Studio racked up an unprecedented number of Emmy nominations this year, Maya’s character, though funny and memorable, wasn’t exactly a central figure. On the other hand, Agatha was the heart of a major Marvel project, continuing the story from WandaVision and appealing to a younger, more niche audience. The Studio, meanwhile, attracted widespread acclaim from critics and viewers of all ages, making Hahn’s nomination an interesting reflection of how diverse audiences and Emmy voters perceive her standout performances.
Diego Luna Does Not Secure A Lead Actor Emmy
While Star Wars fans are absolutely thrilled that Andor snagged a Best Drama Series nomination, the near-complete absence of its cast from the Emmy nods feels like a glaring oversight. Diego Luna leads the show with a commanding presence, perfectly capturing Cassian Andor’s hero’s journey and moral complexity. Alongside him, Adria Arjona delivers a standout supporting performance that has been widely praised. Yet, despite the well-deserved recognition for the series itself, none of these key players received individual nominations.
Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and also serves as an executive producer on the series. Since its announcement in November 2018, Andor has been celebrated for its sophisticated writing, nuanced performances, rich characterization, stunning cinematography, and high production values. Its darker, more mature, and grounded tone sets it apart from other Star Wars projects, with some critics even calling it the greatest Star Wars production ever made.
The first season earned eight Primetime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, while the second season ramped up its acclaim with fourteen nominations. Given this momentum and the critical love for both Luna and Arjona’s performances, their absence in the acting categories remains one of the more puzzling and disappointing snubs of the year.
No Love For The Final Season Of The Righteous Gemstones
Despite The Righteous Gemstones closing out its final season with a dramatic and emotionally charged arc, the show’s talented cast was notably absent from this year’s Emmy acting nominations. The season delivered some of the series’ most intense moments yet: all three Gemstone siblings were shot by Seann William Scott’s unpredictable character, while John Goodman’s Eli and Megan Mullally’s Lori rekindled their complicated relationship. Jesse struggled to cement his legacy and maintain control over his rebellious sons, Judy took on the challenge of caring for a deeply depressed BJ after his pole-dancing accident, and Kelvin found new purpose and visibility through his relationship with Keefe and the creation of PRISM, an LGBT-friendly ministry that marked a bold narrative shift.
Critics and fans alike praised the cast for bringing depth, humor, and heart to these storylines, making their Emmy snub all the more surprising. The absence of nominations for such nuanced performances underscores one of the more unexpected oversights of this awards season, leaving many wondering how such a richly acted series was overlooked when it mattered most.
Despite A Golden Globe and SAG Nomination, Eddie Redmayne Was Left Out
Eddie Redmayne’s chilling performance in the British spy thriller The Day of the Jackal has earned widespread acclaim, including nominations from both the SAG Awards and Golden Globes. Based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel and the 1973 film of the same name, the series also stars Lashana Lynch and is penned by Ronan Bennett, with direction from Brian Kirk, Anthony Philipson, Paul Wilmshurst, and Anu Menon. Produced by Christopher Hall, the show premiered its first season in November 2024 and was immediately renewed for a second season.
Despite the series’ strong reception and its two Golden Globe nominations-Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Redmayne-the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards surprisingly overlooked him. Fans and critics had anticipated Redmayne to be a top contender in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, making his snub one of the more disappointing omissions this year.
As the 2025 Emmy nominations reveal, this year’s awards season is full of surprises-both thrilling recognitions and notable snubs. From powerhouse shows like Severance and The Studio dominating the nominations, to beloved series such as Andor and The Righteous Gemstones missing out on key acting nods, it’s clear that the competition remains fierce and sometimes unpredictable.
While the Emmys continue to celebrate outstanding achievements in television, these unexpected omissions remind us how subjective and complex awards season can be. As we countdown to the ceremony on September 14, fans and critics alike will be watching closely-not only to celebrate the winners but also to see how the industry evolves in recognizing the many voices and stories shaping TV’s golden age.
