Nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards have been announced, with a few surprises and notable snubs mixed in with a generally expected list. But the balance of power going into voting for the winners, which begins August 18th, isn’t necessarily what it might have seemed. Keep reading to see how things are looking for this year’s nominated shows!
UP
Severance
Being the nominations leader is always a good thing, and Severance also hit a number of important marks, namely being nominated in (almost) every acting category, nabbing the main four and an impressive three slots in guest actress. While Dichen Lachman wasn’t included, Zach Cherry upped the number of nominated supporting actors to three, and the show also scored two directing nominations.
The Studio
This freshman comedy officially tied the record for most nominations in a single year for a comedy series – set by The Bear last year, which didn’t do anywhere near as well this time around. Its closest competition is far behind, and, in addition to picking up its key acting nominations, it managed to grab 5 out of 6 of the slots in the guest actor category.
The Penguin
It may not be the frontrunner in the limited or anthology series category, but, thanks to a combination of above-the-line mentions (actor, actress, supporting actress, two nominations for directing, and one for writing) and technical bids, this show ended up with a whopping 24 nominations, second only to Severance. It’s certainly an impressive haul that should enable it to walk away with a good chunk of trophies.
Adolescence
While its total is only 13 nominations, as compared with the shows listed above, this show scored in every place it could have, earning five acting nominations and citations for its cinematography, costumes, sound editing, and sound mixing. It’s not a genre show so was never expected to earn the most nominations overall, but it’s still looking very good for a number of wins, including the top race.
The White Lotus
While it’s hard to know if this show is going to win anything this year, this anthology series returned with the same number of total nominations it had for season two. It did only score eight acting nominations this year, but that’s still nothing to scoff at, proving that this show is essentially as popular as ever with Emmy voters.
Black Mirror
The categorization of this anthology series, previously eligible in the TV movie race and drama in different years, delivered its best-ever numbers this year with ten nominations, including a mention in the top category. Seven seasons in, it’s nice to see this kind of beloved show celebrated, especially after earning just three nominations last year.
Paradise
This is officially the most surprising inclusion in any of the series categories. Its Outstanding Drama Series bid came along with an expected bid for star Sterling K. Brown and less guaranteed nominations for James Marsden and double nominee Julianne Nicholson. It’s an endorsement of a show that wasn’t necessarily perceived as Emmy-friendly but has clearly caught on.
Presumed Innocent
Most had written this show off after meager precursor performances, but it still landed four acting nominations. Achieving that with nothing else in any other categories is an intriguing statistic, but it still shows that popular actors like Jake Gyllenhaal have an appeal. It’s also nice to see Bill Camp nominated again after his The Queen’s Gambitsnub and to see Ruth Negga score her first Emmy nomination.
Sirens
This limited series arrived pretty late in the season and didn’t seem like it was going to be much of a player, with Julianne Moore a distinct possibility for a nomination. Instead, Meghann Fahy scored a wholly unexpected spot in the lead actress race, with the show also meriting a directing nomination. It’s unlikely to win either but did manage to show up in a bigger way than expected.
Somebody Somewhere
Sure, it only got two nominations, but that’s a first for this underrated and criminally underseen show. Jeff Hiller’s supporting actor nomination came out of nowhere in the best possible way, and the show also netted a sweet send-off with a writing bid for its series finale, written by its co-creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen in conjunction with star Bridget Everett.
EVEN
The Pitt
This show could still win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, but it scored less than half the total number of nominations of its main competition. Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Shawn Hatosy are excellent choices, but there’s no reason that a cast this large and talented shouldn’t have dominated the acting categories like other shows that got eight or more acting nominations. It still managed double nominations in both the directing and writing races but could have performed much better overall.
The Last of Us
There was some concern that this tepidly-received second season would be shunned by voters, but that didn’t really happen. Its nominations count is way down from 24 to 16, but it still did pretty well overall, scoring bids for stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey and four guest stars. No directing or writing nominations means it’s not as popular, but it was never going to do as well as in season one and did as well as it could given mixed reactions to the season.
Andor
Hailed by some as the best thing to ever come out of the Star Wars universe, this show did raise its nominations total from 8 to 14 for its second and final season, but it still couldn’t manage a mention for star Diego Luna or any of its supporting actresses. Bids for directing, writing, and outstanding drama series are still impressive.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
It wasn’t clear how the second season of this anthology series – which scored 13 nominations for its Dahmer-focused first year – would do. Ultimately, it got 11 nominations, which isn’t bad at all, three of them for acting. Missing in both directing and writing (the first season got two directing bids) isn’t a great sign, but this show wasn’t going to be the frontrunner this year anyway.
Shrinking
Earning just two acting nominations and nothing else for season one was a severe disappointment, and at least this show did get an Outstanding Comedy Series citation this time. Harrison Ford and Michael Urie join returning acting nominees Jason Segel and Jessica Williams, but the show still didn’t score writing or directing nominations that would have felt appropriate given the emotional resonance of the show.
Dying for Sex
This limited series isn’t the buzziest of the year but it is one of the best, and it did about as well as anyone could have hoped, with mentions for stars Michelle Williams, Rob Delaney, and Jenny Slate and its directing and writing among its nine nominations.
DOWN
Hacks
14 nominations is still good, to be sure, but a show isn’t supposed to be less popular after surging with a surprise win the year before (it had 16 for season three). Losing co-creator Paul W. Downs’ acting nomination is the biggest sting, but in a year when this show could still have taken down newcomer The Studio for a repeat Outstanding Comedy Series win, it needed to do better than it’s done before, not receive its lowest-ever total haul.
The Bear
Forget last year’s surprise winner – here’s the show everyone expected to win then. It set a record for season two with the most nominations ever for a comedy series (24) and got 10 acting nominations. This year, those numbers dropped to 13 and 7, respectively. While objectively still not terrible, this show is no longer the phenomenon it once was. Voters will likely still (unconsciously or mistakenly) consider some of season four, which just premiered, when picking winners, but don’t expect too much from this show this time.
Only Murders in the Building
After achieving its best-ever numbers for season three and 7 acting nominations, not to mention Martin Short and the ensemble surprising to win SAG prizes, the sky felt like the limit for season four. Dropping from a whopping 21 nominations to 7, with Short the only acting nominee? Not great. It’s a shame too, considering the show is as good as ever. Fortunately, it will have another chance since season five is already on the way.
Slow Horses
This show earned its first-ever nominations last year for its third season. The expectation was that the show would be warmly received again, but 9 nominations was reduced to 5, with last year’s nominees Jack Lowden and Jonathan Pryce left off the list. The show is still competing in the lead actor race as well as for directing and writing, but it should have higher aspirations for its coming seasons (it’s already been renewed through season seven) than this year’s unenthusiastic showing.
Abbott Elementary
It wouldn’t be realistic for this show, which scored trophies early on for stars Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph, to be picking up more nominations than in the past. But this year is its lowest overall haul (6, down from as many as 9 at its height), and it also marks the first time that supporting actor Tyler James Williams was snubbed. As the last defender of broadcast network television in the main categories, this show carries a heavy burden, but it still could have – and has – done better.
Nobody Wants This
One of this year’s breakout new shows boasts the man who might have been the frontrunner for comedy lead actor had it not been for The Studio. Yes, this comedy series did score nominations for comedy series, lead actor, and lead actress, but that’s it. The lack of directing, writing, or casting nominations makes it very unlikely that this show will be a real competitor in any of those races. At least season two is coming soon!
House of the Dragon
It’s true that, for its first season, this Game of Thrones prequel only scored 8 nominations, missing out in all acting categories, and this year it only dropped to 6. But the big miss this year is in the Outstanding Drama Series category, relegating a show from the same franchise that won that prize four times to only technical categories.
The Four Seasons
Audiences seemed quite taken with this comedy series about three couples navigating where they are in life, and the involvement of past Emmy favorites Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Will Forte felt like it would be a real player. Instead, it merited just one nomination, for past winner Colman Domingo, who now competes for something a little less serious than his Euphoria guest spot.
Matlock
Kathy Bates was the main reason to watch this semi-reboot, but some thought that this show could crack the Outstanding Drama Series lineup and bring broadcast network television back to the Emmys. Bates did make the cut, but all alone, leaving her show, supporting cast, and everything else about it omitted.
TV Movies
Made-for-TV movies were once critically-acclaimed, with some amassing as many as 17 nominations. In 2023, the 5 nominated TV movies scored a collective 21 nominations. In 2024, that total was 5, with none receiving any other mentions. This year, it’s back up to a dismal 6, with only The Gorge earning an additional nomination (for sound editing).
The Handmaid’s Tale
It’s been an interesting Emmy journey for this show, which in 2017 became the first-ever streaming series to win a top category. In season four, it scored a staggering 21 nominations but lost every bid, and then returned in season five with just one nomination, for star Elisabeth Moss. It matches that number for its final season, with only Cherry Jones nominated for her guest turn. It’s hardly a suitable send-off for a show that was once Emmy voters’ favorite.
Your Friends and Neighbors
This late-breaking show seemed to be catching on with audiences, and star Jon Hamm was a double nominee last year for Fargo and The Morning Show. Standout supporting turns from Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn weren’t enough to get this show noticed beyond its main title theme music, but season two is already on the way, so there will be another chance for it to be recognized.
Yellowjackets
Things weren’t looking great for this fan favorite that dropped from 7 nominations in season one to 3 in season two, but for it to be completely shut out in season three, losing its mentions for Outstanding Drama Series and star Melanie Lynskey, is a disappointment. Another season is on the way, but it’s possible that it’s gotten too dark and weird for everyday Emmy voters.
Squid Game
There’s no dishonor more offensive than having a show which won 6 out of its 14 nominations for season – including best actor – completely shut out for its second season. It’s mostly just bizarre given its technical accomplishments, and the fact that season three has already premiered means it will likely be tough to make sure voters are actively remembering it almost a full year from now.
Check out our team reactions livestream and leave your thoughts on what’s up and down in the comments!
