House of the Dragon season 2 has broken a Game of Thrones streak at the Emmys after the 2025 nominations were revealed, and it’s not good news. Game of Thrones is one of the most successful TV shows in Emmys history, winning a total of 59 awards from 164 nominations, the most of any drama series.
After those years of dominance, House of the Dragon season 2 is the first season in the Game of Thrones franchise not to be nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Further, the show didn’t receive any above-the-line nominations, missing out on the acting, directing, and writing categories too.
The Emmys 2025 nominations did, however, include several nods in technical categories for the Creative Arts awards, including:
- Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes – “The Burning Mill”
- Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling – “Smallfolk”
- Outstanding Period Or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
- Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup – “The Red Sowing”
- Outstanding Title Design
- Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie
What This Means For House Of The Dragon
Season 3 Needs To Put Things Right
House of the Dragon‘s lack of Emmys nominations in the major categories, particularly Outstanding Drama Series, is a huge blow for what is still HBO’s flagship franchise, though it’s not too surprising given the strong competition and the general response to season 2.
That backlash is nothing close to the level of vitriol aimed at Game of Thrones season 8, which not only received an Outstanding Drama Series nomination, but actually won the award.
While season 1 was mostly well-received and did land an Outstanding Drama Series nomination, the second outing suffered more of a backlash for its storytelling and pacing issues. Its shortened episode count – with House of the Dragon season 2 ending on a cliffhanger – proved more annoying than it did excite.
Emmys 2025 – Outstanding Drama Series Nominees
Andor
The Diplomat
The Last of Us
Paradise
The Pitt
Severance
Slow Horses
The White Lotus
Of course, that backlash is nothing close to the level of vitriol aimed at Game of Thrones season 8, which not only received an Outstanding Drama Series nomination, but actually won the award. However, that was the Emmys sending one of its most successful shows out on a high note, so the circumstances are different.
This highlights the need for things to turn around in House of the Dragon season 3. Showrunner Ryan Condal has promised major book events, and there’ll be an expectation of going bigger and better than ever before. If it can deliver on that, then it should be able to get the show’s Emmys future back on track.
Our Take On House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Emmys Snubs
It Deserved Some Awards
Although House of the Dragon season 2 was certainly flawed, it certainly seems unfair to not give it any major nominations, because there was some truly great work in its sophomore outing.
Chief among them is Emma D’Arcy, whose performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen was absolutely deserving of an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nod. They gave a beautifully layered, complex, and emotional turn as the star of the show, and so much of season 2’s best work lies with them.
D’Arcy is non-binary, but was submitted for Best Lead Actress by HBO, and was the only performer in the show submitted for a lead category.
Similarly, I’d argue Tom Glynn-Carney’s ability to make Aegon II Targaryen such a well-rounded character who isn’t just a despicable Joffrey 2.0 would also be worthy of a nod, having been submitted for the Supporting Actor award by the network.
Two of the show’s best episodes also came in season 2: “The Red Dragon and the Gold” and “The Red Sowing.” The balance of scale, delivering some of the greatest dragon scenes in the franchise’s history, and character work in those should’ve earned at least one of the directions – Alan Taylor and Loni Peristere, respectively – a nomination.
It’s understandable that it didn’t get Outstanding Drama Series, and, again, there’s a lot of competition. But for House of the Dragon to get nothing above-the-line is a real shame, and hopefully it’ll be different when season 3 comes around.
Source: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
House of the Dragon
8/10
Release Date
August 21, 2022
Network
HBO
Directors
Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel
Writers
Gabe Fonseca
-
Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
