- Squid Game Season 2 receives zero Emmy nominations despite high viewership.
- Legacy shows and actors like The Handmaid’s Tale and Jon Hamm also snubbed.
- Unexpected nominees like Uzo Aduba and Meghann Fahy offer some surprises.
In a surprising turn, Squid Game Season 2—one of Netflix’s most-watched shows—received no nominations at the 2025 Emmy Awards. This marks a dramatic shift from its historic success in 2022, when the Korean thriller won six awards including Best Actor for Lee Jung-jae.
Other heavyweights like The Handmaid’s Tale, which once swept the Emmys, barely registered this year. Elisabeth Moss, long considered an Emmy favorite, failed to secure a nod for acting or directing, and the series earned only one nomination for guest actress Cherry Jones.
From Front-Runners to Forgotten: The Emmy Awards’ Most Stunning 2025 Snubs
While Squid Game Season 2 wasn’t expected to match the explosive debut season, no one predicted a complete shutout. The series not only maintained international acclaim but expanded its narrative scope, introducing new characters and deeper social commentary. Yet Emmy voters seemed to favor other dramas, leaving fans and critics stunned by the lack of recognition.
Similarly, the snubbing of Yellowjackets Season 3 raised eyebrows, especially after its earlier seasons accumulated ten nominations. The show’s unique blend of psychological horror and ensemble storytelling had positioned it as an Emmy favorite. Its omission this year hints at either franchise fatigue or the Academy’s shift toward newer, buzzier titles.
Talk and comedy categories were also affected. Only three talk shows made the cut due to category reductions, excluding high-profile series like Late Night With Seth Meyers and Hot Ones. Emmy voters also passed over Jamie Foxx and Seth Meyers for their critically acclaimed stand-up specials, despite strong reviews and streaming popularity.
Not all surprises were snubs—Uzo Aduba received a nomination for her comedic role in The Residence, despite the series being cancelled after one season. Meghann Fahy also emerged as a dark horse, earning a nomination for her performance in Sirens, which itself was overlooked in every other major category. These nods reflect a trend of rewarding individual brilliance even when a show doesn’t resonate overall.
This year’s Emmy nominations signal a changing era—where even global hits and industry veterans are no longer guaranteed recognition. The message from voters is clear: consistency, not legacy, is what counts.
“Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures, and that is character.” — Horace Greeley
