10 TV Shows that deserved an Emmy Award but never got one

The Emmys are designed to honor television's finest, with awards given for outstanding performance, writing, and production. Yet over the years, the most innovative and popular shows were inexplicably snubbed, never having won a single Emmy in leading categories. Though some of those shows were premature, others fell victim to genre bias, where comedies, cartoons, and genre-driven dramas got passed over for more mainstream fare.

Several of these shows developed cult followings, which only demonstrated that awards are not always indicative of a show's actual influence. There was The Wire, a crime drama that rewrote the book on storytelling; BoJack Horseman, an animated show that explored human complexities; and these shows all left their indelible stamp on television.

Some of them, such as Community and Freaks and Geeks, redefined the sitcom, while others, such as Hannibal and The Leftovers, explored subjects that were typically avoided by mainstream award ceremonies. Although the Emmys have honored plenty of deserving winners over the years, these ten television programs are still some of the worst snubs in history. Their enduring impact suggests that sometimes the best television is not always the most awarded.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

1) The Wire

Even though it's largely seen as among the best television shows of all time, The Wire was never Emmy-winning. The show's rich storytelling, nuanced characters, and unflinching portrayal of the streets of Baltimore should have won it several awards. Even now, its social commentary is hauntingly prescient, particularly with contemporary debate about systemic corruption and policing. Actors such as Wendell Pierce and Michael K. Williams gave performances that are forever seared in the viewer's memory, and were overlooked. Meanwhile, smaller crime dramas accumulated wins.

2) Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer redefined teen drama such that it sensationalized horror-comedy-drama. It tackled such sentiments deeply in its episodes as "The Body," with Joss Whedon addressing issues like trauma, grief, and empowerment. Despite the powerful performance of Sarah Michelle Gellar and the significant clout of the cultural phenomenon, Buffy never once stood with any Emmy in a major category. Even years later, the very structure of its narrative and inventive storytelling continues to prompt inspiration for modern television series. The impact of Buffy on genre television can only be most salubriously characterized as immeasurable, from Supernatural to Stranger Things.

3) Sons of Anarchy

In its Shakespearean dramatics, Sons of Anarchy presented an addictive blend of crime, brotherhood, and family saga. Charlie Hunnam's portrayal of Jax Teller was emotionally nuanced, but he never even got an Emmy nomination. Worse still, Katey Sagal's tour-de-force turn as Gemma Teller went unheeded despite her Golden Globe win. The gritty narrative and tragic storylines of the show were worthy, particularly in light of less gritty dramas that were winning throughout its run. A decade plus on, Sons of Anarchy remains a favorite, showing that sometimes the best TV shows are undervalued by the Emmy voters.

4) Freaks and Geeks

Although it only survived for one season, Freaks and Geeks is a cult favorite that got the careers of stars such as James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Linda Cardellini off the ground. The show perfectly portrayed high school awkwardness without using overused tropes, which has made it the most realistic coming-of-age television show ever created. Unfortunately, the Emmys did not get it, missing both its performances and writing. Now, its impact is undeniable, as many of the modern dramedies copy its tone. Series such as Euphoria and Sex Education owe a debt to Freaks and Geeks, and so its Emmy snub is even more annoying in retrospect.

5) Hannibal

The few manifests that have ever been noted for their naturalistic and psychologically complex concerns are those of Hannibal. With the unique portrayal of the chillingly iconic character by Mads Mikkelsen, the performance by Hugh Dancy as Will Graham was equally fascinating. Hannibal also stands out from the many other highly artistic, surreal, hauntingly beautiful TV dramas of the 2010s. Although it received critical praise, it completely failed to garner any major Emmys. Well, horror-thrillers would normally fail to get anywhere near the televised award sets. Such is the extremity to which Hannibal pushed the envelope with regard to storytelling on television

6) Mindhunter

David Fincher's Mindhunter applied a cerebral, psychological style to the crime drama format, which examined the early FBI profiling of serial killers. Mindhunter's slow-burn narratives and creepy performances, particularly Cameron Britton's terrifying interpretation of Ed Kemper, earned it praise. While Fincher was awarded an Emmy for directing, the series never won significant awards before being cut short in its cancellation. Its lack of recognition in awards is still a letdown, since its precise writing and photography set the bar higher for crime dramas.

7) Community

Community pushed the genre of sitcoms to new heights with its genre-defying, meta-sensibility humor and avant-garde storytelling. Shows such as "Remedial Chaos Theory" and "Modern Warfare" refused to stay within the confines of a comedic series. The Emmys never rewarded it despite providing some of the most innovative TV moments during the 2010s. Even Dan Harmon's subsequent success with Rick and Morty owes a great deal to the trailblazing that was accomplished on Community. With a film currently in production, the show's continued popularity only serves to illustrate just how underrated it was in its initial run.

8) The Leftovers

Few television programs have been as emotionally rich as The Leftovers, which took on grief, religion, and human relationships. Damon Lindelof's writing was as good as it ever got here, with excellent performances from Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Regina King. Even though they received rave reviews, the Emmys totally overlooked it in the top categories. Even years after its end, followers insist that The Leftovers was one of the greatest dramas of their day. With Lindelof subsequently gaining Emmy acclaim for Watchmen, The Leftovers is regarded by many as the tear-jerking, unsung forerunner to his subsequent awards success.

9) BoJack Horseman

Though animated programs usually get pushed to the wayside in broad Emmy categories, BoJack Horseman wasn't some generic cartoon; rather, it was perhaps the most existentially rich series of its day. With acid-witted satire, profound questions of existence, and a clinically harsh examination of depression and substance abuse, it told stories on par with the majority of live-action dramas. Will Arnett's voice acting as BoJack was deserving of an award, but the show never took home in the major Emmy categories. Even today, fans and critics argue about how BoJack Horseman revolutionized adult animation, showing that awards do not necessarily determine a show's legacy.

10) It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Although it is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has never received an Emmy. What began as a low-budget labor of love developed into one of television's best, smartest, and most politically charged comedies. In contrast to so many sitcoms that lose steam over time, Sunny continues to be culturally relevant even after 15+ seasons. The show, helmed by Rob McElhenney, always walks the line and stays true to its signature ridiculousness. Sunny is joked to be "too dark" for the Emmys, but its continued success demonstrates that authentic comedy doesn't require awards to make a difference.