07/15/2025
Emmy Nomination Snubs and Surprises: âSquid Game,â âThe Handmaidâs Taleâ and John Mulaney (Again)
As Emmy nominations roll in for another exciting awards season, fans and critics are buzzing with reactions â and not all of them are happy. The 2025 Emmy nominations, announced this week, brought a mix of well-deserved recognitions, head-scratching snubs, and pleasant surprises.
One of the biggest shockers this year was the absence of Squid Game in major categories. After its historic wins in 2022, many expected Netflixâs South Korean thriller to come back strong with its latest season. Despite high ratings and cultural impact, Squid Game was mostly ignored this time, landing only a few technical nominations. Critics suspect that fierce competition and Emmy fatigue played a role in the snub.
Another surprise came with John Mulaney, who once again found himself shut out of the comedy category. Mulaneyâs recent stand-up special Baby J received critical acclaim and resonated with audiences for its raw, personal storytelling. However, Emmy voters passed over the special â just like they did with his 2020âs Kid Gorgeous at Radio City. Many fans took to social media to express their disbelief, calling the omission âa crime against comedy.â
On the drama front, The Handmaidâs Tale was surprisingly overlooked. The show, which has been an Emmy favorite for years, didnât secure any acting nominations this time â not even for Elisabeth Moss, who has been a consistent contender. The omission suggests that the Emmy committee may be shifting its attention to fresher narratives, despite Handmaidâs continued relevance and emotional weight.
But it wasnât all bad news. There were a few welcome surprises too.
The biggest cheer came for Jury Duty, a semi-scripted mockumentary series that earned nominations for Best Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor for James Marsden (playing an exaggerated version of himself). The Amazon Freevee series has slowly built a cult following, and its recognition proves that the Emmys are finally opening doors to unconventional formats.
Also turning heads was ShĹgun, FXâs epic historical drama. While many thought the show would be too niche to break through, it racked up nominations across major categories, including Best Limited Series and acting nods for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.
Another delightful surprise? Ayo Edebiri received dual nominations for her work in The Bear and Abbott Elementary, confirming her as one of the breakout stars of the year.
In a year filled with quality content, itâs no surprise that some shows had to be left behind. But the Emmys continue to surprise us â both for better and worse. With award night just around the corner, fans will be watching closely to see if the surprises stop at the nominations, or if the wins bring even more drama.
