Emmy Nominations 2025: Why ‘Game of Thrones’ Still Reigns Despite Controversial Ending

As the dust settles from the chaos of Game of Thrones‘s polarizing final season, the show has still managed to reign supreme at the 2025 Emmy Awards, leading all of television with a staggering 32 nominations. This marks the most nominations the series has ever received in its eight-season run, and it’s also a new record for the highest number of nominations for a drama series in a single year. Despite the mixed reception to its conclusion, Thrones continues to be a formidable contender.

A Mixed Reception, Yet A Record-Breaking Year

The love for Game of Thrones at the Emmys is undeniable, even though many fans and critics remain disappointed by the series’ conclusion. Complaints about sloppy storytelling, poorly lit battle scenes, and underwhelming character arcs have done little to diminish the show’s Emmy run. In addition to its nod for best drama, Thrones earned nominations for lead actor (Kit Harington) and lead actress (Emilia Clarke).

However, the real surprise came in the supporting categories, where Thrones dominated. Of the six supporting actress nominations, four were taken by Thrones performers — Gwendoline Christie, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams. Similarly, three out of seven supporting actor nominations went to Thrones stars — Alfie Allen, Peter Dinklage, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. This left little room for other deserving performers, notably the talented cast of FX’s Pose, which was snubbed entirely in the supporting categories.

New Blood and Notable Breakthroughs

While Game of Thrones continued to reign, the 2025 nominations were also a platform for fresh faces and new narratives. One of the standout moments was the long-overdue recognition of Schitt’s Creek. After five seasons of critical acclaim, the cult hit from Pop TV finally garnered nominations for outstanding comedy, lead actor (Eugene Levy), and lead actress (Catherine O’Hara). This recognition is particularly significant as the show enters its final season.

The Snubs: Who Got Left Out?

The 2025 nominations were not without their disappointments. Despite a standout performance, Julia Roberts was notably absent from the lead actress race for Homecoming. The Amazon Prime series, while receiving a cinematography nomination, was largely overlooked in other categories.

Other significant snubs included Pamela Adlon for Better Things, Richard Madden, lead actor in Bodyguard, and both The Good Fight and Black-ish, along with its lead actress Tracee Ellis Ross.

Dramatic Changeover: New Faces in the Best Drama Category

The best drama series category saw a dramatic shift this year. Five of last year’s nominees were ineligible this time, either because their seasons ended or their new seasons hadn’t aired in time. This opened the door for fresh contenders like Bodyguard (Netflix), Killing Eve (BBC America), Ozark (Netflix), Pose (FX), and Succession (HBO). The category was expanded to eight nominees to accommodate the increased competition, yet Homecoming still didn’t make the cut.

The Comedy Showdown: A Face-Off in Lead Actress

One of the most interesting races of the year will be in the comedy lead-actress category. After sitting out last year, Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns to Veep to face off against last year’s winner, Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. If Louis-Dreyfus wins, she will set a new record for the most acting Emmys ever won, breaking her tie with Cloris Leachman with nine wins. This could be a historic moment for the beloved actress, as she continues to shine in her portrayal of Selina Meyer.

A Rematch: Mahershala Ali vs. Sam Rockwell

In the limited series or movie categories, a rematch is brewing between two Bay Area natives: Mahershala Ali (True Detective) and Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon). Both actors were nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars earlier this year, with Ali taking home the award for Green Book over Rockwell’s Vice performance. Now, both are nominated in the lead actor category for a limited series, and it seems that Rockwell has a strong chance of taking home the trophy for his portrayal of Broadway legend Bob Fosse.

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards

With the nominations now set, all eyes will be on the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2025, on Fox. While a host has yet to be announced, the show promises to be a thrilling celebration of television, highlighting the best in drama, comedy, and beyond. As always, the battle for Best Drama promises to be fierce, but with Game of Thrones dominating the nominations once again, it’s clear the show’s legacy will continue to make waves, even in its final season.