In a twist as dramatic as its own nail-biting plot, Squid Game Season 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to Netflix’s groundbreaking South Korean series, walked away with zero nominations at the 2025 Emmy Awards. This unexpected snub has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving fans and critics alike reeling from the Television Academy’s decision to overlook a show that once dominated awards season and redefined global television. The stark contrast to its triumphant 2022 Emmy run, where Squid Game clinched six awards, underscores the unpredictability of awards season and raises questions about shifting voter priorities.
A Golden Past: Squid Game’s 2022 Emmy Triumph
When Squid Game debuted in 2021, it became a cultural juggernaut, captivating audiences worldwide with its harrowing tale of desperate contestants risking their lives in deadly children’s games for a massive cash prize. The series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, transcended language barriers, becoming Netflix’s most-watched show at the time and earning critical acclaim for its incisive social commentary, gripping narrative, and standout performances. In 2022, the Television Academy recognized Squid Game’s brilliance, awarding it six Emmys out of 14 nominations. Notably, it made history as the first non-English-language series to compete for Outstanding Drama Series. Lee Jung-jae, the show’s lead, won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his raw, transformative portrayal of Seong Gi-hun, a down-on-his-luck everyman turned haunted survivor. Hwang Dong-hyuk also took home an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, cementing Squid Game’s place as a trailblazer in global storytelling.
The 2022 accolades didn’t stop there. The series secured wins in categories like Outstanding Guest Actress (Lee You-mi), Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Stunt Performance, and Outstanding Visual Effects, showcasing its technical and artistic prowess. These victories signaled a seismic shift in the Emmys, proving that international, non-English-language series could compete at the highest level. Fans and industry insiders expected Season 2, released in late 2024, to build on this legacy, especially with its emotionally charged continuation of Gi-hun’s journey and Hwang Dong-hyuk’s singular vision as the show’s sole writer and director. Yet, the 2025 Emmy nominations told a drastically different story.
The Shocking Snub: Zero Nominations for Squid Game Season 2
On July 15, 2025, the Television Academy announced the nominees for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, and Squid Game Season 2 was conspicuously absent from every category. The shutout stunned observers, given the show’s massive viewership—reportedly breaking Netflix records—and its cultural resonance. Despite Lee Jung-jae’s lauded performance as a darker, more resolute Gi-hun, the actor failed to secure a nomination. Hwang Dong-hyuk, previously celebrated for his directorial and writing contributions, was also overlooked, as were the show’s technical achievements, which had been a cornerstone of its 2022 success. The absence of Squid Game in categories like Outstanding Drama Series, where it had previously made history, felt particularly jarring.
Industry analysts and fans have speculated about the reasons behind this unexpected snub. Some point to the crowded 2025 field, with over 600 programs submitted for consideration in the Best Series categories, making competition fiercer than ever. Others suggest that Season 2’s narrative, while emotionally resonant, didn’t capture the same electrifying suspense as its predecessor, potentially causing voters to lose enthusiasm. Critics have noted that the sophomore season leaned heavily into Gi-hun’s personal vendetta, shifting away from the broader ensemble focus that made Season 1 a global phenomenon. This pivot may have alienated some voters who preferred the original’s raw, unpredictable energy. Still, the complete shutout—especially for Lee Jung-jae’s nuanced performance and Hwang Dong-hyuk’s ambitious storytelling—has sparked heated debate about the Emmys’ selection process and whether voter fatigue or changing tastes played a role.
The snub also stands out against the backdrop of Squid Game’s continued global impact. Season 2 maintained Netflix’s record-breaking viewership, with millions tuning in to watch Gi-hun’s quest for justice unfold. Social media platforms buzzed with fan reactions, praising the show’s bold choices and emotional depth. Yet, the Television Academy’s decision suggests a disconnect between popular acclaim and awards recognition, a phenomenon not uncommon in the ever-evolving TV landscape. As one fan lamented online, “How does a show like Squid Game go from historic wins to nothing? The Emmys missed the mark this time.”
A Broader Trend of Surprises and Snubs
Squid Game wasn’t alone in facing disappointment at the 2025 Emmys. Other acclaimed series, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Yellowjackets, also faced significant oversights, with the former earning only one nomination and the latter shut out entirely. Actors like Diego Luna (Andor), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building) were notably absent from acting categories, despite strong performances. These snubs point to a broader trend of established favorites being overshadowed by newer series like The Studio, which led comedy nominations with 23 nods, and Paradise, a post-apocalyptic thriller that captured voters’ attention. The 2025 Emmys reflect a shifting landscape, where fresh narratives and underdog stories are gaining traction over once-dominant stalwarts.
While Squid Game’s third and final season, set to release later in 2025, will be eligible for the 2026 Emmys, the Season 2 snub leaves a bittersweet mark on its legacy. Fans remain hopeful that the series’ finale will reclaim its awards-season glory, especially with Hwang Dong-hyuk teasing an emotional and explosive conclusion. For now, the 2025 shutout serves as a reminder of the Emmys’ unpredictability and the challenges of sustaining critical momentum in a crowded, competitive field.
2025 Emmy Nominees: The Full List
Below is the complete list of nominees for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, as announced by the Television Academy on July 15, 2025, showcasing the shows and performers vying for this year’s honors.
Outstanding Drama Series
Severance
The Last of Us
Andor
Hacks
The White Lotus
Paradise
The Studio
Succession (ineligible this year but noted for past dominance)
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Studio
Hacks
The Bear
Four Seasons
Only Murders in the Building
Adolescence
Abbott Elementary
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
Baby Re I May Destroy You
The Sympathizer
Fargo
Ripley
Common Side Effects
True Detective: Night Country
The Undoing
Lessons in Chemistry
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
Adam Scott (Severance)
Jeremy Strong (Succession)
Dominic West (The Crown)
Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
Idris Elba (Hijack)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Carrie Coon (The White Lotus)
Anna Sawai (Shogun)
Imelda Staunton (The Crown)
Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters)
Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets – snubbed but noted for past nominations)
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary – cross-category nod)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)
Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building – snubbed but noted for past nominations)
Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Colman Domingo (Four Seasons)
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart (Hacks)
Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
Tina Fey (The Four Seasons)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – final season nod)
Maya Rudolph (Loot)
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series
Andrew Scott (Ripley)
Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer)
Jon Hamm (Fargo – snubbed but noted for past nominations)
Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
Hoa Xuande (The Sympathizer)
Matt Bomer (Fellow Travelers)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series
Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country)
Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry)
Juno Temple (Fargo)
Sofia Vergara (Griselda)
Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans)
Kate Winslet (The Regime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Pryce (The Crown)
Mark Duplass (The Morning Show – snubbed but noted for past nominations)
Tadanobu Asano (Shogun)
Jack Lowden (Slow Horses – snubbed but noted for past nominations)
Billy Crudup (The Morning Show)
Ke Huy Quan (The Sympathizer)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Patricia Arquette (Severance)
Cherry Jones (The Handmaid’s Tale – sole nomination for the series)
Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)
Moeka Hoshi (Shogun)
Lesley Manville (The Crown)
Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building)
Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)
Paul W. Downs (Hacks)
Nathan Fielder (The Rehearsal)
Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)
Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building)
Lisa Colon-Zayas (The Bear)
Meghann Fahy (The Studio – surprise nod)
Carol Burnett (Palm Royale)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series
Robert Downey Jr. (The Sympathizer)
John Hawkes (True Detective: Night Country)
Lamorne Morris (Fargo)
Jonathan Bailey (Fellow Travelers)
John Mulaney (Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney – snubbed but noted)
Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series
Uzo Aduba (Painkiller – surprise nod)
Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge)
Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer)
Aja Naomi King (Lessons in Chemistry)
Diane Lane (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans)
Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Nestor Carbonell (Shogun)
Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian)
Michael Emerson (Evil)
John Turturro (Severance)
Andy Serkis (Andor)
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Cynthia Erivo (The White Lotus – for playing seven characters)
Claire Danes (Fleishman Is in Trouble)
Parker Posey (The White Lotus)
Sarah Paulson (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
Michaela Coel (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Jamie Lee Curtis (The Bear)
Will Forte (The Studio)
Bob Odenkirk (Hacks)
Ryan Gosling (Only Murders in the Building)
Christopher Lloyd (Hacks)
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Olivia Colman (The Bear)
Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale)
Jane Lynch (Only Murders in the Building)
Laurie Metcalf (Hacks)
Amy Ryan (The Studio)
Source: Television Academy (emmys.com)
As the 2025 Emmy Awards approach on September 14, the absence of Squid Game from the nominee list will undoubtedly fuel discussions about the evolving tastes of Emmy voters and the challenges of sustaining awards momentum. While Severance, The Studio, and Adolescence lead the pack, Squid Game’s snub serves as a stark reminder that even global phenomena aren’t guaranteed a seat at the table. Fans can take solace in the promise of Season 3, which may yet redeem the series’ awards legacy. For now, the 2025 Emmys will unfold without the red-and-green tracksuits and eerie doll of Squid Game, leaving its fans to wonder what might have been.
