These days, predicting the outcomes of awards ceremonies often feels more accurate than forecasting the results of presidential elections. And while the Primetime Emmy nominations announced on Tuesday mostly followed expectations, a few decisions still raised eyebrows. Some fan favorites failed to earn recognition, while others unexpectedly emerged in the spotlight. Let’s take a closer look at the most notable snubs and surprises from this year’s Emmy race.

Snub: Squid Game

The once-acclaimed South Korean sensation Squid Game, which took the world by storm during its first season on Netflix, seems to have lost its momentum among Emmy voters. Previously, the dystopian survival series garnered considerable accolades, including nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and wins for both Lead Actor and Directing. However, the second season—which was released in December—was completely overlooked in the drama series categories. Despite continuing to explore dark and compelling themes, the follow-up did not resonate with voters this time around.

It’s worth noting that due to the Emmy’s eligibility window (which spans from June to May), the recently released final season of Squid Game was not included in this year’s consideration and will instead be eligible for the 2026 awards. Nevertheless, its absence from the current roster was a surprise, especially as it was expected to contend in major categories. Its exclusion made room for Hulu’s tense political thriller Paradise, which unexpectedly secured a nomination in the drama field.

Surprise: Uzo Aduba’s Recognition

Netflix’s dark comedy The Residence, which blends murder mystery with political satire, failed to make a lasting impact with audiences and was canceled after just one season. Despite its short lifespan and relatively low profile, one element stood out to voters: Uzo Aduba’s performance. Her portrayal of an eccentric, bird-watching police consultant was compelling enough to land her a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Aduba’s nomination is particularly surprising given the competition. Former nominees Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face) and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building)—both of whom were expected to return to the category—were left off the list this year. Aduba’s recognition reflects her ability to shine even in a project that otherwise faded quickly from the cultural conversation.

Snub: Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer

Alfonso Cuarón, the highly celebrated filmmaker behind Oscar-winning films such as Gravity and Roma, was widely predicted to earn at least a directing nomination for his eerie, slow-burning limited series Disclaimer, which aired on Apple TV+. The series, which explored themes of memory, identity, and moral ambiguity, also starred Kevin Kline and Cate Blanchett.

While Blanchett did receive a nod for Lead Actress in a Limited Series, both Cuarón and Kline were completely absent from the final list of nominees. Even more surprisingly, Disclaimer as a series did not receive a nomination in the limited series category, despite strong critical reviews. The absence of Cuarón’s name in the directing category is among the more baffling omissions of this year’s announcements.

Surprise: Common Side Effects

Among the animated series, a true underdog emerged. Common Side Effects, an unconventional animated conspiracy thriller from Adult Swim, secured a nomination for Outstanding Animated Program. The show, which tells the story of tiny people waging war against Big Pharma, was praised for its originality and gritty visual style. It’s available to stream on HBO Max and has garnered a dedicated cult following, but few predicted it would break through at the Emmys.

Most assumed that the nomination would go to more mainstream contenders such as Amazon Prime Video’s Invincible or Netflix’s long-running Big Mouth. Instead, Common Side Effects defied expectations and claimed a spot in a category often dominated by better-known names. It’s a welcome surprise for fans of experimental animation and socially driven storytelling.

Snub: The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale, once the crown jewel of Hulu’s original programming, ended its run on a rather quiet note. Based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, the show made history in its first season by winning the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, while its lead actress Elisabeth Moss won the award for her performance as the resilient June.

However, by its sixth and final season, the show appeared to have lost its critical edge and emotional urgency. Neither the series nor Moss received any nominations this year, despite hopes that the farewell season would return the show to awards contention. While its decline in voter enthusiasm has been apparent for several seasons, the complete absence of recognition still came as a disappointment for long-time fans.

Surprise: Jeff Hiller’s Breakout Performance

HBO’s poignant dramedy Somebody Somewhere, created by and starring Bridget Everett, quietly built a reputation for heartfelt storytelling and subtle humor over its three-season run. In its final season, the show received a surprise boost in visibility thanks to Jeff Hiller’s nomination for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Hiller, who plays Joel—a sensitive and loyal friend to Everett’s character—delivered a nuanced performance that deeply resonated with viewers. His inclusion in the supporting actor field was unexpected, especially considering other strong contenders like Tyler James Williams from Abbott Elementary were left out. Somebody Somewhere, which had not previously earned Emmy recognition, also scored a nomination for Comedy Writing, signaling a late but meaningful acknowledgment of its unique voice.

Snub: John Mulaney, Once Again

Comedian John Mulaney continues to experiment with the traditional late-night format, but Emmy voters remain elusive. Following last year’s John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. on Netflix, he returned this year with Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney, a clever twist on the variety talk show that blends stand-up, live interviews, and unscripted segments.

Despite the creativity and fresh take on a well-worn genre, Mulaney’s show did not make the cut in the Variety Talk Series category. The field is notoriously competitive, with mainstays like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jon Stewart typically occupying top spots. Compounding the surprise was the fact that Late Night With Seth Meyers, a three-time nominee, also failed to secure a nomination this year. With the category limited to just three finalists, even strong contenders found themselves edged out.apparently more permanent “Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney.” Breaking through the Colbert-Kimmel-Stewart gas ceiling in the variety talk series category is a tall order, though. (Also left out, with the category limited to three slots, was the three-time nominee “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”)