Meryl Streep’s daughter first to suffer brutal blow in most shocking Emmys nominations to date

Opinion: The 2026 Emmy nominations are finally here, and if you ask me, they’ve left a few major names off the list.

With the quality of TV released over the past 12 months, it was always going to be a tight race. But what comes as a shock is that some of the most popular performances and biggest hits somehow didn’t make the cut, according to the 24,000 members of the Television Academy.

Potentially the biggest snub of 2026 lies at the feet of Paul Anthony Kelly and his performance as JFK Jr. in Love Story, but what offends me most personally is that Grace Gummer was overlooked for her performance as Carolyn Kennedy – did no one watch her performance in the final episode?!

Kathy Bates was left in the dark after her performance in Matlock failed to get a nomination, the television academy seemingly favouring Chase Inifinit’s performance in The Testaments.

Industry, Stranger Things and Heated Rivalry all missed out on a single nod, although we knew it was coming for the latter since it being a Canadian-produced series makes it ineligible.

And, of course, let’s not forget the academy’s seemingly ongoing vendetta against Taylor Sheridan and his penchant for a modern Western.

Keep reading to see a breakdown of the 2026 Emmys’ biggest snubs.

Paul Anthony Kelly, Love Story

It appears that the first-time actor’s performance didn’t quite impact the academy the same way it did viewers.

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Kelly was a front-runner to receive a nod for Best Actor in a Limited Series after the world fell in love with his portrayal of the American Royal.

And while the show was controversial for obvious reasons, we have to assume this snub was personal since Love Story received a total of seven nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for Sarah Pidgeon.

Grace Gummer, Love Story

Again, we have to assume this one is personal.

Maybe the academy is taking a stand against nepotism here, or possibly, they didn’t watch the ninth and final episode of the series in which Gummer delivered a performance that truly proved she is Meryl Streep’s daughter.

Nonetheless, her heart-shattering breakdown in the kitchen wasn’t quite enough to score her a nomination.

Stranger Things

Every show has its limits, and it seems Stranger Things found its in the fifth and final season, with not a single nomination from the television academy.

Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

For the first year since the show began, Jeremy Allen White has missed out on a nomination for his leading role in The Bear.

Despite the show usually being a frontrunner in the comedy category alongside Hacks and The Studio, it seems voters have tired of the kitchen drama, with the show earning nearly half the nominations it has in previous years.

Half Man

Richard Gadd’s breakthrough series Baby Reindeer absolutely swept the 2024 Emmys, but his follow-up won’t be given the same opportunity.

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Despite global acclaim from critics, Gadd’s latest limited series, Half Man,only received one nod.

While the show’s star Jamie Bell was snubbed for Best Actor and the show in general was snubbed for Best Limited Series, Gadd was the only one to pick up a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Jon Hamm, Your Friends and Neighbours

It came as a shock to most that Apple TV’s suburban satire, Your Friends and Neighbours, received a nomination for Best Drama Series in its second season.

But what came as even more of a shock was the man who drives the show with his wit, dry humour and sheer star power, was snubbed for a nod as Best Actor.

I Love LA

Despite HBO’s major push with 18 category submissions, I Love LA fell short in the eyes of the academy.

After its success at the Gotham awards, Rachel Sennott’s hit series was expected to receive several nominations, including a nod for Best Actress for Sennott and recognition in the Best Comedy Series category.

But with the large majority of the television academy made up of voters between the ages of 41 and 55, it could be a case of I Love LA’s humour leaning a little too Gen Z.

Taylor Sheridan, Landman and The Madison

Despite the ratings, the Television Academy has refused to acknowledge Sheridan’s work in any above-the-line categories (writing, acting, directing), with even his biggest hit, Yellowstone, only ever landing a single nomination in the technical categories.

Personally, I don’t think Sheridan’s style quite lives up to the prestige of the Emmys, and Sheridan himself has said his goal isn’t to win Emmys, but there was some expectation that Landman or The Madison might be the show to break through.

Given that a Taylor Sheridan show is basically a teen drama for adult men, and the academy is made up of 53 per cent males, you’d assume that by this point, something would have broken through.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The Game of Thrones prequel earned its place in the best drama series category, but it failed to secure a single acting nomination.

I’ll admit that not every performance was a standout, but I do demand justice for Dexter Sol Ansell and his performance as Egg.