Emmy snubs! Jeremy Allen White, 'Stranger Things' missed by 2026 noms

It's an honor just to be nominated, and it's quite the sting to miss out completely.

The 2026 Emmy Award nominations were announced on Wednesday, July 8, and while predicted favorites like "The Pitt" and "Hacks" got their due with 25 and 24 nominations, respectively, fan-favorites like "Stranger Things" and "Landman" were left out, especially when it came to the top categories.

This year's Emmy Awards celebrate shows that aired or streamed between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025 (meaning those "The Bear" nominations are for last year's fourth season, not the fifth and final season that was recently released). That also means recent hits like "House of the Dragon" Season 3 on HBO, "Every Year After" on Prime Video and "Dutton Ranch" on Paramount+, which aired no episodes before the deadline or not enough, didn't make the list this year, but will be eligible for the 2027 ceremony.

Emmy rules also require a show to be produced at least in part by a U.S. partner, so queer hockey romance and cultural phenomenon "Heated Rivalry" is not eligible at all, as it was produced and distributed by Canadian streamer Crave, and simply licensed by HBO Max.

But there were plenty of actors and shows that were more than eligible for Emmy nominations who simply didn't make the cut this year, staying at home when the ceremony airs Monday, Sept. 14 on NBC (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), hosted by "Law and Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay.

Here are the biggest snubs of the 2026 Emmy nominations.

Jeremy Allen White for 'The Bear'

Oh no, chef! Jeremy Allen White, star of FX and Hulu's usual Emmy darling "The Bear," has been nominated three times for playing Chef Carmy Berzzato, the anxiety-riddled head chef of the show's titular restaurant. He even won the award for lead actor in a comedy series twice, in 2023 and 2024. So it was a shock bigger than dropping a plate of lamb on the floor that he was totally left off the 2026 list. However, his "Bear" co-star Ayo Edebiri did nab a nomination.

Steve Martin and Selena Gomez for 'Only Murders in the Building'

What did Steve Martin and Selena Gomez ever do to the TV Academy? While co-star Martin Short has been nominated for lead actor in a comedy series every year since the cozy mystery comedy debuted in 2021, Martin and Gomez have only netted one nomination each over the show's long run. In 2026, they were both left out of lead actor in a comedy and lead actress in a comedy, respectively.

Paul Anthony Kelly for 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette'

Sarah Pidgeon, who played Carolyn Bessette in FX/Hulu's drama about the titular love story between an American icon and a fashion publicist, was nominated for her role in the anthology series. But Paul Anthony Kelly, who received positive reviews for his portrayal of JFK, Jr., did not make the cut for lead actor in his category.

'The Comeback' for comedy series

Lisa Kudrow made a successful comeback into the lead actress in a comedy series category for her intermittent HBO series about a fading actress and her attempts to regain fame and acclaim. But the show itself couldn't squeeze into a packed category for best comedy series, with noms instead going to ABC's "Abbott Elementary," HBO Max's "Hacks," Apple TV's "Margo's Got Money Troubles," Netflix's "Nobody Wants This," Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," Apple TV's "Shrinking" and Apple TV's "Widow's Bay."

'Stranger Things' and 'Euphoria' for drama series

Netflix's "Stranger Things" and HBO's "Euphoria" both returned in the past year for highly-anticipated final seasons, but neither crowd-pleaser was able to make it into the category for the Emmy's top award: outstanding drama series. They both got seven nominations overall, including Zendaya in lead actress in a drama for "Euphoria."

Kathy Bates for lead actress in a drama

What "Misery" is this? In spite of her nomination in 2025 for her acclaimed turn in CBS's "Matlock" reboot, the legendary Kathy Bates was left out of the nominations entirely for her turn in the show's second season.

'Death by Lightning' for limited series, actors

Netflix's acerbic historical dramedy about President James Garfield (Michael Shannon) and the man who assassinated him (Matthew Macfadyen) was on USA TODAY's list of the best shows of 2025, but the Emmy voters weren't as convinced. The show netted four nominations, including Nick Offerman for best supporting actor (playing Vice President Chester A. Arthur), but missed the best limited series nod as well as nods for Shannon and Macfadyen.

'Landman' and the Sheridan shows left in the dust

While fans flock to shows from power producer Taylor Sheridan − the man behind "Yellowstone" and its many spinoffs as well as "Tulsa King," "Landman," "Lioness" and others − the series have never been hits with the Emmy voters. Sheridan had a slew of shows eligible for the Emmys this past year, including Paramount+ ratings hits "Landman," "Tulsa King" and "The Madison" and CBS's "Marshals," but out of all his shows, only "Tulsa" managed a nomination, for stunt coordination in comedy programming.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Emmy snubs! Jeremy Allen White, 'Stranger Things' missed by 2026 noms

Reporting by Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 11:52 AM.