TV shows with most Emmy nominations

01 of 30

Veep | 68 nominations

Julia Louis-Dreyfus on 'Veep'. Lacey Terrell /HBO

Inspired by the British series The Thick of It, Veep followed the hilarious life of fictional Vice President Selina Meyer. Throughout the show's run, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for all seven seasons, winning the category six times in a row from 2012 to 2017. Veep was also hailed for its supporting cast, with Tony Hale and Anna Chlumsky being nominated for their supporting roles year after year. The series was also regularly nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor thanks to its many famous guests including Martin Mull, Hugh Laurie, and Gary Cole.

02 of 30

Seinfeld | 68 nominations

Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Jerry Seinfeld on 'Seinfeld'. Andrew Eccles/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Often billed as "a show about nothing" that simply finds the humor in everyday life, Seinfeld was a ratings hit that continued to grow in popularity as the seasons went on. Between the talented cast of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards, the nominations were plentiful. In fact, from seasons 4 through 7, all four were nominated for Emmys, with Richards winning the most of any castmate for his iconic portrayal of Kramer. Larry David, best known for his show Curb Your Enthusiasm, was also nominated almost yearly as both the writer and producer of the NBC comedy.

03 of 30

24 | 68 nominations

Kiefer Sutherland on '24'. Jaimie Trublood/FOX

There were a few years during the aughts when 24 was one of the biggest shows on television. In the era before streaming services, America would come together to watch counterterrorist agent Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) save the day. In fact, its season 5 premiere snagged more than 17 million viewers, becoming one of the most-watched shows of the entire year. It wasn't just a hit with audiences, though — the Television Academy recognized Sutherland with yearly nominations, and the show for Outstanding Drama Series. Because 24 was fast-paced and action-packed, it was also regularly nominated in the editing and stunt categories.

04 of 30

Everybody Loves Raymond | 69 nominations

Peter Boyle, Doris Roberts, Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett and Monica Horan on 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. Monty Brinton/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images

Everybody Loves Raymond centered around a working-class family on Long Island, with Ray Romano starring as the family's patriarch. Lovable and relatable, the series quickly became a staple in homes across America. Throughout the show's nine seasons, Romano was nominated six times for Outstanding Lead Actor, winning once, while his costars Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, and Brad Garrett were also nominated almost yearly. In total, Roberts was the series' biggest winner, taking home four wins throughout the show's run.

05 of 30

Downton Abbey | 69 nominations

Maggie Smith on 'Downton Abbey'. Nick Briggs/PBS

Audiences fell in love with all the juicy drama happening between the Crawley family and their domestic servants inside the walls of the Downton Abbey estate. During the show's first award circuit, it was actually nominated in the miniseries category, winning for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. Maggie Smith quickly became the audience favorite for her role as Violet Crawley, the staunch and quick-witted matriarch from a bygone era. Smith received five nominations throughout the show's run, winning three. Her costars Michelle Dockery and Joanne Froggatt were also often nominated, and Downton Abbey was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for all five years it competed in that category.

06 of 30

The Crown | 69 nominations (and counting)

The Television Academy has given The Crown the royal treatment from the very start. The Netflix drama, which tracked Elizabeth II's reign as Queen of England, changed casts every two seasons, allowing for numerous actors to get Emmy recognition for their work. Season 4, which centered on Princess Diana and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was its Emmy high point, sweeping all seven categories for which it was nominated at the main telecast including Outstanding Drama Series. —Kevin Jacobsen

07 of 30

The Carol Burnett Show | 70 nominations

Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman on 'The Carol Burnett Show'. Everett Collection

The Carol Burnett Show was a variety series filled with some of the funniest actors who ever lived, including Carol Burnett herself, along with Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, Dick Van Dyke, and Tim Conway. Conway alone was nominated for nine awards for his work as both an actor and writer on the show, winning four in total. The Carol Burnett Show was also regularly nominated in the Outstanding Variety or Music category. After the show's 11-season run, its legacy continued with the popular spinoff, Mama's Family, which itself ran for six seasons and starred Lawrence in the role she originated on Carol Burnett.

08 of 30

So You Think You Can Dance | 72 nominations (and counting)

Gaby Diaz and Lex Ishimoto on 'Dancing With the Stars' — Gaby Diaz and Lex Ishimoto on 'So You Think You Can Dance'. Adam Rose/FOX

Created to be the American Idol of dance competitions, So You Think You Can Dance has become one of America's longest-running reality shows. First airing in 2005, the series has aired 17 seasons so far, and throughout its long (and ongoing) run, it's racked up numerous Emmy noms and wins, usually in the Outstanding Choreography category. In fact, at some ceremonies, like the 2011 Emmys, the show snagged five of the six choreography nominations, virtually assuring the series a win. On top of the choreography noms, Cat Deeley has been nominated five times in the Outstanding Host category.

09 of 30

Succession | 75 nominations

Brian Cox on 'Succession'. Craig Blankenhorn/HBO

Unlike a lot of shows on this list, Succession wasn't necessarily an Emmy favorite at first. While the saga of the Roy family's unquenchable thirst for power did win for writing for season 1, none of the actors were even nominated. That quickly changed, with each subsequent season earning more nominations than the last. Just about every main cast member received at least one Emmy nomination for seasons 2 through 4, in addition to double-digit guest acting bids. —K.J.

10 of 30

The Voice | 76 nominations (and counting)

Carson Daly, Gwen Stefani, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and John Legend on 'The Voice'.
Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images

The Voice remains an Emmy staple, 24 seasons in. The reality competition juggernaut, in which superstar singers build teams of budding artists and use their expertise to coach them to success, has earned numerous nominations for its lighting, hairstyling, casting, and more. It has also received 12 nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, winning the category four times. —K.J.

11 of 30

The Handmaid's Tale | 76 nominations (and counting)

Elisabeth Moss on 'The Handmaid's Tale'. Hulu

Based on the dystopian Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, The Handmaid's Tale has been an Emmy favorite since its first season in 2017. The show's stellar cast have all been nominated numerous times for their performances, including Elisabeth Moss, Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd, and Samira Wiley. The Handmaid's Tale is also regularly nominated for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Costuming. The show's biggest year was its first, when it won eight of its 13 major category nominations.

12 of 30

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | 80 nominations

Rachel Brosnahan on 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. Amazon Studios

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ended its five-season run in style. The comedy-drama about a Jewish housewife living in the 1950s who becomes an unexpected success as a standup comedian was an Emmy magnet, winning eight Emmys for its first season including Outstanding Comedy Series. Stars Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein earned nominations for all five seasons, in addition to numerous citations for its stunning visual design. —K.J.

13 of 30

NYPD Blue | 84 nominations

Dennis Franz on 'NYPD Blue'. Michael Ginsberg/ABC via Getty Images

NYPD Blue was a popular (and controversial) police procedural that ran for more than 260 episodes. Throughout the years, the boundary-pushing series (remember when the FCC fined ABC $1.4 million for indecency, a fine that was eventually overturned?) racked up numerous Emmy noms for its lead actors, Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits. It was also regularly nominated in the directing and writing categories.

14 of 30

Modern Family | 85 nominations

Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell on 'Modern Family'. Bonnie Osborne/ABC

What happens when a group of hilarious writers team up with an ensemble cast of incredible actors? You get Modern Family. The show became a phenomenon in the early-2010s and was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series eight years in a row, winning for its first five seasons (a record it holds with Frasier for most wins). On top of that, its excellent cast was regularly honored with acting nominations, including Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet, and Ty Burrell, among others. Even guest star Nathan Lane was nominated three times for his recurring guest role as the funny and flamboyant Pepper.

15 of 30

L.A. Law | 89 nominations

Blair Underwood on 'L.A. Law'. Everett Collection

Thanks to a large ensemble cast and episodes that tackled hot-button topics like abortion, homophobia, and sexual assault, L.A. Law was a popular and powerful legal drama. For its first six years on television, it was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, winning four times. Its large cast also nabbed numerous nominations, with Corbin Bernson, Jimmy Smits, and Jill Eikenberry all nominated multiple times throughout the years. Series writer/executive producer David E. Kelley was also regularly nominated in the Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series category.

16 of 30

The Amazing Race | 92 nominations (and counting)

Colin and Christie on 'The Amazing Race'. CBS

Now in its 35th season, The Amazing Race sends a group of contestants on a 'round-the-world journey, racing each other to the finish line. Since its debut in 2001, it's been nominated for Outstanding Reality Competition Program every single eligible year — winning 10 times (including the first seven years in a row). The show took a noticeable break from the Emmys competition in 2020 due to the global pandemic but has since rejoined the race (pun fully intended). On top of its major category nom, it's also nominated for directing, editing, and cinematography awards almost yearly.

17 of 30

The West Wing | 95 nominations

Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe on 'The West Wing'. David Rose/NBC

Like so many other shows on this list, the secret to The West Wing's success was its talented cast. The series centered around the life of President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his wife (Stockard Channing), along with his staff, played by a talented ensemble including Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, and Richard Schiff. From 2000 to 2006 the show was an Emmys staple, nominated repeatedly for Outstanding Drama Series and its actors.

18 of 30

Will & Grace | 96 nominations

Eric McCormack and Debra Messing on 'Will & Grace'. Chris Haston/NBC

During the show's original 1999–2006 run, Will & Grace's four main stars — Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes — were regularly nominated in the four major lead and supporting categories, and the series was always snagging guest actor nominations thanks to its large array of special guest stars including John Cleese, Gene Wilder, Molly Shannon, Glenn Close, and more. Upon the show's revival in 2018, Mullally once again scored an Outstanding Supporting Actress nomination.

19 of 30

Hill Street Blues | 98 nominations

The cast of 'Hill Street Blues'. Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

This '80s police procedural was a breakout hit when it premiered in 1981. Its first season alone was nominated for 14 Emmys, earning six wins, including Outstanding Drama Series. In fact, the show was nominated for 14 major awards four years in a row, taking home numerous Emmys for directing and writing, and its main cast of actors including Betty Thomas, Bruce Weitz, Veronica Hamel, and Daniel J. Travanti regularly scored nominations.

20 of 30

The Simpsons | 100 nominations (and counting)

It's TV's longest-running primetime show, currently with more than 750 episodes (and counting), so it's no wonder The Simpsons is one of the most nominated series in history. The Simpsons even have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On top of its many nominations and wins for Outstanding Voice-Over (thanks to its incredible cast, including Hank Azaria and Nancy Cartwright), the show has been nominated for Outstanding Animated Program 32 times (so far), winning 12 times to date.

21 of 30

30 Rock | 103 nominations

Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Tracy Morgan on '30 Rock'. Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Tina Fey could not have been hotter when her hit NBC sitcom 30 Rock premiered in 2006 — she had just left Saturday Night Live and was still riding high from her hit movie, Mean Girls. The show was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for all seven of its seasons, winning for the first three. Fey was also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress every year, winning the award in 2008. Her fellow cast members Alec Baldwin and Jane Krakowski were also nominated for their supporting roles almost yearly. As a writer on the show, Fey was also able to close out 30 Rock's final season with an Outstanding Writing win for the series finale, "Last Lunch."

22 of 30

Frasier | 107 nominations

John Mahoney, Jane Leeves, Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, and Peri Gilpin on 'Frasier'. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Easily one of the most successful spinoffs of all time, Frasier centered around the titular character played by Kelsey Grammer, who originated the character on Cheers. Frasier ran for more than a decade, producing 264 episodes. A fan and critical favorite, it was almost always nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, and for seasons 1 through 9 both Grammer and his costar David Hyde Pierce received nominations for Outstanding Lead and Outstanding Supporting Actor, respectively. Like so many other shows on this list, Fraiser also landed tons of Outstanding Guest Actor nominations, with industry favorites James Earl Jones, Patti LuPone, Christine Baranski, Jean Smart, Nathan Lane, and more frequenting the series.

23 of 30

MA*SH | 109 nominations

The cast of 'M*A*S*H'. 20th Century-Fox TV/Getty Images

It's hard to describe how monumental M*A*S*H was. To put it into perspective, its 1983 finale is still the most-watched TV episode in history, raking in more than 105 million viewers, a time when America's population was around 233 million — meaning almost half the country tuned in. And this was no fluke: The show was a beloved pop culture staple for the decade it was on the air, and it was regularly nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Multiple cast members were also nominated for their roles each year, giving the show even more prestige. Surprisingly, however, despite its massive finale, M*A*S*H didn't win any of its nine nominations for the final season.

24 of 30

The Sopranos | 112 nominations

James Gandolfini on 'The Sopranos'. Anthony Neste/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

The Sopranos was a heavy-hitter for HBO. The show brought in tons of viewers, prestige, and awards and helped the premium cable channel brand itself as being above standard television. All seven years it competed at the Emmys (the sixth season was broken up between two years), the show was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, and stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco were both nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress six times. The show was also nominated for its editing and sound mixing every year, racking up numerous nominations for its technical production.

25 of 30

Mad Men | 116 nominations

Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Elisabeth Moss, and Jon Hamm on 'Mad Men'. Frank Ockenfels/AMC

Premiering in 2007, Mad Men is often regarded as the show that put AMC on the map, predating Breaking Bad by a year and The Walking Dead by three. It turned its stars — Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones, and Christina Hendricks — into overnight sensations, and became the topic of conversation at offices around the country. Surprisingly, the actors didn't win many Emmys. Despite all four stars being nominated year after year, Hamm was the only one to win, taking home Outstanding Lead Actor in 2015 (the show's final year). Mad Men fared much better in the Outstanding Drama category, however. It was nominated all eight years and won four times.

26 of 30

Cheers | 117 nominations

The cast of 'Cheers'. Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images

If its spinoff was excellent, you know Cheers was just as fantastic. As the theme song famously said, "Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name..." and everyone in the Television Academy knew this comedy's name. The show became the nation's neighborhood pub and was annually nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Its cast was also nominated for numerous acting awards, including Ted Danson, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, and more.

27 of 30

Dancing With the Stars | 119 nominations (and counting)

Matt James and Lindsay Arnold on 'Dancing With the Stars'. Christopher Willard/ABC

Dancing With the Stars pits celebrities against each other in a months-long dance competition. It's filled with music, pageantry, and showstopping extravaganzas. A lot goes into making that all come together, hence where the show gets all of its nominations. From choreography to lighting design, hairstyling, makeup, and costuming, Dancing With the Stars racks up nominations in categories that are sometimes overlooked, but should be fully celebrated.

28 of 30

ER | 124 nominations

George Clooney and Julianna Margulies on 'ER'. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank

Airing 331 episodes, ER is one of the longest-running dramas in TV history. Its first season was a massive hit, scoring 15 Emmy nominations — including one for George Clooney. It was also a hotbed for the Guest Actor category. During many ceremonies, the show snagged numerous guest nominations, often competing against itself. One of the show's most surprising nominations went to Michael Crichton, who is best known as the author of Jurassic Park and screenwriter of the original Westworld (1973). He also wrote ER's pilot episode and was nominated for Outstanding Writing.

29 of 30

Game of Thrones | 159 nominations

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington on 'Game of Thrones'. Helen Sloan/HBO

Game of Thrones is easily HBO's most successful series to date. It had the network's highest ratings ever until August 2022, when it was surpassed by its own spinoff, House of the Dragon. The show was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for all eight seasons, winning four times. Peter Dinklage, who starred as Tyrion Lannister, was also nominated every year, also taking home four trophies. In the show's final season almost the entire cast was nominated, helping set a record for the most nominations by a show in one season: 32. Also, thanks to its now-iconic opening credits, GoT notably won the Emmy for Main Title Design.

30 of 30

Saturday Night Live | 314 nominations (and counting)

Colin Jost and Michael Che on 'Saturday Night Live'. Will Heath/NBC

It's no wonder Saturday Night Live is the most-awarded show in TV history. It's been on since 1975 and has launched many of the biggest names in comedy. Cast members who have received Emmy noms throughout the years include Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Leslie Jones, and Alec Baldwin for his ongoing Trump impersonation, among many others. On top of the acting noms, many SNL stars also serve as writers and have been nominated for Emmys, including Phil Hartman, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, and more.