AARP Hearing Center
This Year’s Biggest Emmy Nomination Snubs
Harrison Ford got robbed — twice! — and TV Academy voters passed over favorites such as Helen Mirren and Steve Martin
Harrison Ford in the Apple TV+ show "Shrinking."
Beth Dubber/Apple TV+
This year’s Emmy nominations are in, and the list includes a boatload of recognition for HBO hits Succession, The White Lotus and The Last of Us — as well as the final season of the Apple TV+ phenom Ted Lasso, which lassoed 21 nominations for itself. Legends Norman Lear, 100, Mel Brooks, 97, Carol Burnett, 90, all landed nominations — as did former President Barack Obama, 61, for narrating the Netflix documentary Working: What We Do All Day.
Although the Television Academy did an admirable job of spreading the wealth, there were some notable snubs from the list of nominees. (Winners are due to be announced Sept. 18, though the ceremony may be postponed due to the strike by Hollywood writers and a likely walkout by actors.)
Here’s a look at some of the biggest names who were tragically overlooked by Emmy voters.
Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu
Steve Martin, 77, Only Murders in the Building
The comedian and his costar Martin Short, 73, both scored nominations last year for the first season of the Hulu mystery-comedy, set in an intrigue-heavy apartment building in Manhattan. But this year, only Short snagged a nomination, leaving Martin (as well as 30-year-old fellow lead Selena Gomez) out in the cold. This is a puzzling omission given Martin’s status in the industry — and the fact that he and Short share virtually equal screen time on the show.
Paramount Network
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
Kevin Costner, 68, Yellowstone
Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western drama has been a ratings smash for the Paramount Network, but it continues to get the cold shoulder from the TV Academy. Costner, who’s expected to exit after the upcoming batch of six episodes remaining in Season 5, has been one of the chief draws as modern-day Montana rancher John Dutton III — and even won the Golden Globe this year. But Emmy voters don’t seem to be roped in despite the show’s popularity (12 million viewers for last fall’s Season 5 premiere within the first 24 hours) and Costner’s solid, gravel-voiced performance.
James Minchin III/Paramount+
Helen Mirren, 77, 1923
When Sheridan launched the Yellowstone prequel series 1923, he shrewdly cast Oscar and four-time Emmy winner Helen Mirren as the great-great-aunt of Costner’s modern-day rancher. Though critics praised her performance as a world-weary (and Irish-accented) rancher’s wife, Emmy voters were not impressed.
James Minchin III/Paramount+
Harrison Ford, 81, Shrinking and 1923
The movie star made his TV debut this year in two high-profile series, but Emmy nominators rolled over him like a giant boulder in an Indiana Jones movie. Not only was Ford up for lead actor in a drama series for his role as Mirren’s rancher hubby in 1923, but he elicited raves as the therapist-mentor of a grieving, oversharing counselor played by Jason Segel — who snagged a nod over his more established costar.
Keith Bernstein/Netflix
Imelda Staunton, 67, The Crown
The veteran British actress took over the role of Queen Elizabeth II in Season 5 of Netflix’s The Crown, but she failed to court the favor of Emmy voters, unlike her predecessors (Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, who both won). Elizabeth Debicki landed a supporting nomination as Princess Diana, while the show returned to the best drama series race.
Tony Shalhoub, 69, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
While Prime’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel scored 14 nominations for its fifth and final season, this was the first year that Tony Shalhoub’s name was not called. Granted, Midge’s parents (Shalhoub and two-time nominee Marin Hinkle) had less screen time this season. Still, it’s a surprising omission for a comedy legend whom Emmy voters have loved since his days on Monk.
Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television
Giancarlo Esposito, 65, Better Call Saul
Here’s another case of a beloved series going out with a whimper rather than a bang. Giancarlo Esposito first played the deceptively low-key drug kingpin Gustavo Fring on Breaking Bad (and picked up an Emmy nomination in 2012 for the role). He’s earned two more nods, in 2019 and 2020, playing the complicated baddie on Better Call Saul. Gus deserves better.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
50+ Performers Nab 15 Key 2023 Emmy Nominations
Jeff Bridges, Brian Cox, Sheryl Lee Ralph and more vie for TV’s top honors
AARP’s Best TV Shows of 2023 (So Far)
12 of our top sitcoms, crime shows, historical epics and film-noir whodunits
Hollywood Strike's Impact on Your Viewing
Hollywood strike may lead to fewer hits and higher streaming costs