Biggest Snubs & Surprises of Golden Globe Nominations: ‘The Gilded Age,’ ‘Alien: Earth’ & More
The Golden Globe Awards are quickly approaching as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) unveiled the 2026 nominations, and while some major TV favorites were included among the ranks, some performances and titles were notably absent.
While there were some exciting and expected inclusions for shows like Severance, Hacks, and Pluribus, there were also some major snubs when it came to Alien: Earth, The Gilded Age, and so many more popular titles.
Below, we’re rounding up some of the biggest surprises and snubs, both good and bad, surrounding the 2026 Golden Globe Award nominations. Scroll down for a closer look and let us know which shows you think should have been recognized more in the comments section below. Stay tuned for more on the ceremony as we approach the new year, and check out the full list of nominations here.
83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, Sunday, January 11, 2026, 8/7c, CBS and Paramount+
SNUB: The Gilded Age
Season 3 was its best season yet, and the HBO costume drama was nominated for the last two seasons, so this year’s shutout is a surprise snub. The Russell and Scott family storylines were particularly noteworthy. Gladys’ arranged marriage to an English duke made for high-stakes drama that kept viewers engaged online for weeks. And the colorism and women’s suffrage storylines depicted through the Kirkland and Scott family conflict were rare for this genre, and a well-written look at this era of American history. — Kelli Boyle
SURPRISE: Helen Mirren for MobLand
Helen Mirren absolutely crushed it as the vicious Harrigan family matriarch, Maeve, as she kept us guessing about just how ruthless she really could be all the way through. Considering all of the meme action that surrounded here sometimes-Caribbean-sounding Irish accent, though, this recognition is still a wee bit of a surprise. – Amanda Bell
SNUB: Katherine LaNasa for The Pitt
The good news is The Pitt got two nominations (Best Drama and Noah Wyle for Best Actor). The sad news is that Katherine LaNasa‘s performance was not. Just like charge nurse Dana holds the ED together, LaNasa is a vital part of the cast (and won the Emmy for the role), and her portrayal of everything that Dana does and is put through, including being punched by an impatient patient, deserves to be recognized. —Meredith Jacobs
SURPRISE/SNUB: Black Rabbit
Black Rabbit does hinge on the performances of Jude Law and Jason Bateman, and both delivered in that regard — you needed to care about the brothers’ (estranged) relationship and them as individuals. Law turned in a fantastic performance, yes, one deserving of recognition, but Bateman was just as outstanding. It would have been nice to see both nominated. —Meredith Jacobs
SNUB: Tom Pelphrey for Task
Task was one of HBO‘s most-watched shows this fall, and despite a nomination for leading star Mark Ruffalo, a supporting nomination for standout performer Tom Pelphrey is shockingly missing from the Golden Globes list. Pelphrey’s performance as Robbie Predendergast pulled at our heartstrings, and his absence among the nominees makes us feel a similar heartbreak. —Meaghan Darwish
SURPRISE: Glen Powell for Chad Powers
Chad Powers delivered some solid comedy, and that’s due in part to leading man Glen Powell, so it was a nice surprise to see him snag a nomination for his performance. The show, despite being a hit with fans, received mixed reviews from critics, making his inclusion here an unexpected delight that only makes us more excited for Season 2. —MD
SNUB: Adults
While we enjoy many of the comedies recognized in this year’s Golden Globe Awards nominations, we can’t help but feel a little mournful for newbie Adults, which delivered a dose of much-needed onscreen friendship this year and showcased a talented lineup of up-and-coming performers. It would have been nice to see a fresh title get some nomination love. Guess we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed for a breakthrough in Season 2. —MD
SNUB: The Lowdown
Sterlin Harjo‘s latest TV series, The Lowdown, took viewers along for a zany journey to uncover the truth about a local conspiracy, with an investigation led by Ethan Hawke‘s Lee Raybon. The series showcases a solid ensemble of performers, including Keith David, Kyle MacLachlan, and Jeanne Tripplehorn, and it was disappointing to see that not a single performance, nor the show, was recognized among this year’s nominees. —MD
SURPRISE: Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus
While we’re not shocked that Rhea Seehorn would be nominated for leading actress in a drama series for Pluribus, it is slightly surprising to see her included, considering the HFPA snubbed her for all the years she starred on Better Call Saul and deserved recognition. Nevertheless, we’re thrilled to see Seehorn finally land her first nomination. —MD
SNUB: Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Outlander‘s prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, premiered with a splash earlier this year, and considering its roots overseas, we couldn’t help but hope to see the new show recognized among this year’s nominees. Sadly, this wasn’t the case, but we’re keeping hope alive as we look ahead to the show’s future at Starz. —MD
SNUB: Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth is, without a doubt, one of TV’s biggest premieres this year, and with stellar performances showcased in the sci-fi drama, we expected to see it included among this year’s Golden Globe Award nominees. Unfortunately, the series was entirely shut out of the nominations, which feels rather egregious to us. —MD
SNUB: Stranger Things Season 5
Stranger Things doesn’t typically rake in the awards, but that not a single actor was added to the supporting categories — the entire cast was submitted — seems like a misstep. Then again, only the first four episodes were submitted, per The Hollywood Reporter, and a standout performance hasn’t really emerged at this point in the season. At the very least, however, its fifth and final installment should’ve been considered for best drama, simply in recognition how much of an impact its made on TV and streaming as a whole in the past decade. Maybe once the next handful of episodes drop, the sci-fi series will get its due next year. — Morgan Pryor
SNUB: Hal & Harper
Writer-director Cooper Raiff’s meditative Hal & Harper, which stars Raiff himself and Lili Reinhart as siblings grappling with childhood trauma, didn’t snag a single nom. Its knockout showings from the main duo in particular deserve recognition: Raiff and Reinhart play the child versions of themselves in flashbacks, and somehow, they manage to feel like their characters’ ages at that point in their lives. Reinhart’s performance, in the finale especially, as the jaded and grieving nine-year-old Harper lingers long after viewing. It’s unclear whether or not the show submitted for this year’s awards, considering that it aired from mid-October to late November. So, maybe (and hopefully) it’ll be a contender (for other awards) next year. — Morgan Pryor
SURPRISE: All Her Fault
All Her Fault has picked up some momentum in recent weeks, earning it a nomination for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. While Sarah Snook’s performance was standout, it was a nice surprise to see the show get recognition as a whole, too. —Alyssa Norwin
SURPRISE: Amanda Seyfried in Long Bright River
Amanda Seyfried gave a great performance as Mickey in the Peacock series Long Bright River, but the show mostly went under-the-radar and didn’t get much buzz after it was released in March 2025, which is why the actress’ nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television came as a welcome surprise. —Alyssa Norwin
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