Jon Hamm has been excluded from the Emmy guest drama actor category for his performance in Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” as confirmed by Variety.
Due to a studio clerical mistake, Hamm was entered in the guest actor category for his role as Paul Marks in the fourth season of the series. Despite appearing in only three episodes, less than half of the season, he was disqualified based on an Emmy rule that disallows actors previously nominated in lead or supporting roles from competing as guest performers.
As of January 2025, the Television Academy implemented a rule stating that performers who have been nominated for or have won a lead or supporting acting Emmy cannot submit in the guest performer category for the same role. This change has restricted a number of performers from the Emmy competition. For instance, Meryl Streep, who was nominated as a supporting comedy actress for Season 3 of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” has been unable to submit for Seasons 4 or 5, despite appearing in less than 50% of both seasons. However, this rule does not apply to “Saturday Night Live” guest submissions. Former cast members like Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell, who received Emmy nominations during their time on the show, are entered as playing “various characters.” Official Emmy credits for “SNL” hosts simply list them as “host,” creating ambiguity and exposing a loophole that has drawn attention from strategists and studios.
Apple TV’s team failed to adhere to the rule, as Hamm was nominated for supporting drama actor in 2024. The Television Academy also overlooked this discrepancy during verification, and his name appeared in the guest category when ballots were released today.
Consequently, Hamm’s work in “The Morning Show” has been disqualified and is not eligible for voting.
Despite this disqualification, Hamm still has opportunities for Emmy recognition. He is a contender in the lead drama actor category for his other Apple show, “Your Friends and Neighbors,” and for character voice-over performance, for voicing Marvin Flute in the animated comedy “Grimsburg.”
Hamm has received 18 Emmy nominations across various categories and series, including the anthology series “Fargo,” the comedy “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” and the critically acclaimed drama “Mad Men,” where he portrayed ad man Don Draper. He won his only Emmy in 2015 for lead drama actor.
Emmy voting concludes on June 22.
