The 8 Biggest Emmy Snubs of All Time (#3 Will Shock You)

The 2025 Emmys have come and gone, and as always, the conversation wasn’t just about the big winners — it was also about those who went home empty-handed. Every year, and every awards season, there are head-scratching omissions that fuel weeks of online debate. But some Emmy snubs go beyond disappointment: they’ve become part of television history — the kind of oversights that fans and critics still can’t believe happened.

So, in honor of the latest round of snubs (which will not be tackled here), we’re revisiting the most egregious Emmy oversights of all time. From groundbreaking dramas and unforgettable performances to long-running icons who somehow never got their due, these are the snubs that remain truly unforgivable.

8

Sandra Oh for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Image via ABC

Long before Killing Eve, Sandra Oh was commanding the screen as Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy. Sharp-tongued, fiercely ambitious, and deeply vulnerable, Cristina quickly became one of the show’s most beloved characters. Oh gave the famed medical drama some of its most powerful moments, whether it was about Cristina’s journey to surgical brilliance or her unapologetic desire to be a child-free woman. Few characters on network television felt as real and rich as her.

And while Oh did earn five consecutive Emmy nominations, she never won a single one. Considering how iconic her portrayal has become — and the barriers it broke for Asian representation on American TV — the snub stings hard. Even years later, fans continue to argue that Oh deserved her golden statue, even if it was for simply being the icon that carried the early golden seasons of Grey’s.

7

‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)

Image via Netflix

At first glance, BoJack Horseman may have looked like your average adult animation, but across its six seasons, it quickly became one of the most daring and emotionally complex shows on television. Beneath its surreal animal gags and Hollywood satire, the series was an unflinching exploration of depression, addiction, and self-destruction. Its unique mix of absurd humor and heartbreaking honesty made it a landmark for animated storytelling.

Yet, despite all its creative achievements — as well as the critical acclaim and extremely loyal fanbase — the Emmys never properly embraced the show. Though it earned two nominations for Outstanding Animated Program (and one for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance), it never claimed a single trophy. For many, this snub underscored how the Academy undervalued the ambitious nature animation could achieve.

6

Antony Starr for ‘The Boys’

Image via Prime Video

As Homelander on The Boys, Antony Starr delivers one of the most chilling performances on television in recent history. Equal parts sociopath and insecure man-child, Homelander is terrifying precisely because Starr plays him with such unsettling humanity. From casual sadism to milk-fueled breakdowns, every moment is layered with menace and dark humor, turning the character into one of the most unforgettable TV villains.

And yet, Starr has never received a single Emmy nomination. Such a feat grows even more baffling, given the way his performance dominates pop culture discussion, whether it’s about antiheroes, masculinity, or modern satire. Indeed, with each new season, the oversight only becomes more indefensible, and fans can only hope the Academy wakes up before it’s too late. Remember, voters — the final season looms near.

5

Angela Lansbury for ‘Murder, She Wrote’

Image via CBS

For over a decade, Angela Lansbury charmed audiences as Jessica Fletcher in the classic crime drama Murder, She Wrote. As a sharp-witted mystery novelist-turned-detective, Jessica was charming, intelligent, and endlessly watchable. Most of this, of course, was attributed to Lansbury’s performance, striking the perfect balance of warmth and authority, which not only turned her into a global television icon but also ensured the series remained a staple for years.

But despite being nominated 12 times — once for every single season — Lansbury never won an Emmy for the role. It remains one of the most staggering streaks of losses in awards history. To deny such a career-defining performance recognition feels almost unthinkable in hindsight, and it cemented Lansbury as perhaps the most legendary Emmy loser of all time.

4

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Image via HBO

Few shows pushed the boundaries of what television could achieve like The Leftovers. Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta‘s haunting meditation on grief and faith was polarizing at first, but by its final season, it was hailed as a full-fledged masterpiece. Justin Theroux delivered some of his best work, but it was Carrie Coon as Nora Durst who gave the show its raw, emotional core.

Instead, the Emmys turned their back entirely. Aside from a lone Guest Actress nod, The Leftovers never broke through in major categories. That’s right — no nominations. Thankfully, the show has at least garnered a significant cult following; however, this snub remains yet another example of the Academy undervaluing boundary-pushing shows. Carrie Coon, you will get your Emmy someday.

3

Steve Carell for ‘The Office’

Image via NBC

As Michael Scott, Steve Carell was not only the face of The Office — he also gave the show its chaotic heart. His performance was a masterclass in tonal balance, capable of going from cringe comedy to gut-punch vulnerability in a single breath. Indeed, Carell transformed what could have been an obnoxious caricature into one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time.

It’s thus no surprise that he earned himself six nominations. It is, however, a complete shock that he never won a single award. Sure, the series itself picked up plenty of love, but the actor who carried its most challenging and beloved role somehow always left empty-handed. It truly remains one of the most baffling personal snubs in Emmy history.

2

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

Image via HBO

Often cited as one of the greatest crime dramas ever made, The Wire reshaped television with its unflinching realism and multilayered storytelling. Tackling institutions of crime, politics, and urban life with unmatched nuance, David Simon‘s portrait of Baltimore was only elevated by the performances from those such as Michael K. Williams, Idris Elba, and Dominic West, who added unforgettable depth.

But despite its reputation, the Emmys practically ignored the series. Across five epic seasons, The Wire earned just two nominations for writing and never once competed for Outstanding Drama Series. Looking back, the omission feels unfathomable, especially given how deeply the program has become a point of reference that other shows seek to emulate.

1

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Image via AMC

When it comes to the Emmys, few oversights sting quite like Better Call Saul. As a Breaking Bad prequel, expectations rode high. Luckily, it managed to successfully carve out its own identity and craft a story every bit as gripping, devastating, and finely tuned as its predecessor. Bob Odenkirk‘s transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman became one of TV’s most compelling slow burns, while Rhea Seehorn turned Kim Wexler into an instant icon.

And yet, despite a whopping 53 nominations across its six-season run, Better Call Saul ended without a single win. The show’s writing, acting, and directing repeatedly went unrecognized on Emmy night, leaving fans more and more stunned each year. To many, it isn’t just a snub — it’s the defining example of how the Academy sometimes fails to reward television at the peak of its craft.

Better Call Saul

Release Date

2015 – 2022-00-00

Network

AMC

Showrunner

Peter Gould

Directors

Vince Gilligan, Thomas Schnauz, Peter Gould, Michael Morris, Adam Bernstein, Colin Bucksey, John Shiban, Michelle MacLaren, Melissa Bernstein, Larysa Kondracki, Terry McDonough, Gordon Smith, Minkie Spiro, Jim McKay, Daniel Sackheim, Andrew Stanton, Norberto Barba, Rhea Seehorn, Scott Winant, Michael Slovis, Keith Gordon, Deborah Chow, Giancarlo Esposito, Bronwen Hughes

Next: The 10 Greatest Emmy-Winning Performances of All Time, Ranked