As Emmy nomination voting progresses, Pedro Pascal’s potential Emmy nomination for The Last of Us stands out amid one of the fiercest and most unpredictable races in recent years. The Television Academy’s ballots, reflecting post-strike industry shifts, indicate fewer submissions across several acting categories, setting the stage for intense competition when nominations are revealed on July 15.
Fewer Submissions Heighten Drama and Tighten Races
This year’s drama lead acting contests are marked by notably lower submission numbers, with just 77 actors and 75 actresses entered—a significant decline from recent years. The reduction in entries, resulting from the industry’s slow rebound after the strikes, means only five nominees per category unless voting ties bump the count higher. The drama actor field is particularly competitive, showcasing a vibrant mix of established and emerging talent. Latino actors have surged to the forefront, with Diego Luna (Andor), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), and Ramón Rodríguez (Will Trent) contending alongside stars like Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Lovie Simone (Forever). Veteran Kathy Bates, for her role in Matlock, is also on the brink of setting a new record as the oldest nominee in the category’s history.
Comedy Categories Feature Prominent Names and Fresh Faces
Both lead comedy categories also reflect contraction, with submissions failing to reach the threshold needed for six nominees. Only 51 comedy actor and 47 comedy actress submissions were received, a drop from the previous year, intensifying the pressure on hopefuls. High-profile past Emmy winners Steve Martin and Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building), Ted Danson (Man on the Inside), and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) anchor the race, while actors like Seth Rogen (The Studio) and Benito Skinner (Overcompensating) seek recognition for their work in new series.
The lead comedy actress division is similarly packed with talent. Jean Smart returns to contention for her performance in Hacks, joining Emmy favorites Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), and Uzo Aduba (The Residence). There is, however, space to honor performances from short-lived yet highly praised shows, with actors such as Stephanie Hsu (Laid) and Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs. Lopez) in the running for acknowledgment even after abrupt show cancellations.
Guest Acting Categories Showcase a Wide Spectrum
The guest acting sections in both comedy and drama are brimming with varied submissions and feature both prestige performers and self-submitted candidates. The guest comedy actress race, with 74 entries, includes notable Saturday Night Live hosts like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for Poker Face, setting up a dramatic face-off within the category. Less mainstream talents, such as Emily Arlook (Nobody Wants This) and Nicole Sullivan (Running Point), could also score unexpected nods.
In guest comedy actor, 97 submissions ensure stiff competition. Returning winner Jon Bernthal (The Bear) stands alongside lauded auteurs such as Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese for their appearances in The Studio. The influx of major directors stepping into comedic roles continues to challenge conventional acting boundaries within the Emmys.
Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th season with all 20 of its hosts up for potential nominations, accompanied by recurring guest stars from across the comedy spectrum. Appearances from Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan, as well as Dana Carvey, Andy Samberg, and Mike Myers for his take on Elon Musk, underscore SNL’s broad Emmy ambitions this year.
The drama guest actor and actress divisions are just as fiercely contested, drawing 87 and 77 submissions respectively. The Last of Us once again appears as a frontrunner with strong cases for Jeffrey Wright and Kaitlyn Dever. Meanwhile, Danny Arroyo’s self-submitted bid for Wild West Chronicles highlights how the process has grown more democratized, giving a platform to new voices and strategies within Emmy campaigning. For each of the four guest acting categories, six nominees will be announced.
Limited Series Acting Races Shrink as Competition Intensifies
Mergers between limited series and TV movie performances have driven down submission numbers, with 48 actors and 53 actresses competing for just five spots each. Paul Giamatti (Black Mirror) and Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) are viewed as leading candidates. Concurrently, fresh faces like Lola Pettigrew for Say Nothing and the duo of Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story are positioned to refresh the field with new generational perspectives.
Supporting Actor and Actress Fields Feature Record Numbers
Dramatic supporting actor and actress categories both saw an increase in submissions—233 men and 227 women, up from last year. This uptick ensures seven nominees in each race. Productions such as Apple TV+’s Severance, including notable performances by Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, and Tramell Tillman, alongside HBO Max’s The White Lotus—featuring Sam Rockwell, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb—are primed for significant recognition.
Comedy supporting categories also grew, with 163 actor and 141 actress entries, leading to seven nominees in each. Veteran performers like Harrison Ford (Shrinking) aim for a redemption slot after being overlooked last season, while Linda Lavin (Mid-Century Modern) could obtain a rare posthumous nomination, joining a select group of previous recipients.
Limited Series Supporting and Short Form Categories Shift
Supporting roles in limited series experienced a downturn in entries, dropping to 124 actors and 105 actresses compared to previous years. Both groups will produce six nominees. Netflix’s Adolescence is anticipated to secure several spots, specifically for Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty, but surprises remain possible from other contenders like Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent) and Taraji P. Henson for Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
The short form performance category, notable for being gender neutral, has gained increased relevance amid streaming platform expansion, with 27 submissions received. Names to watch include J.K. Simmons (Die Hart: Hart to Kill), Desi Lydic for The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains, and Tom Segura (Bad Thoughts), further emphasizing evolving creative boundaries in television performance.
Unpredictability Defines the 2025 Emmy Nomination Landscape
This post-strike awards season finds beloved shows from several years converging in a crowded Emmy cycle, producing a notably uncertain nomination environment. With the possibility of surprise inclusions and fresh faces altering traditional expectations, forecasts about Pedro Pascal Emmy nomination for The Last of Us and others remain in flux until the nominations are unveiled.
Viewers and hopefuls alike will watch intently as the landscape continues to evolve in real time, with more updates expected throughout the voting period and as final nominations approach on July 15.
