In the wake of Emmy nominations Tuesday, Netflix have a good day. HBO and Disney may have led the packaging with 142 nominations and 137 nominations respectively, but Netflix was not far behind with 120 nominations. And unlike the headaches of not knowing what qualifies as an HBO and/or max original or Disney’s amount of marks, all Netflix nominations can be found under the same name on the same platform.
“Being recognized in drama, comedy, script, documentary, live, limited, stand-up and everyone else, it’s so rewarding,” Bela BajariaChief Content Officer for Netflix, told Thewrap. The CEO noted that Netflix was completely nominated over 14 different program categories and 44 titles. “We care so much about doing good TV over all these different areas because we know the audience loves TV.”
Netflix has been Emmys leader for several years now. Already in 2020, Streamer even set a price record and made the most nominations of any network in a single year. But what is remarkable about Netflix flowers in 2025 is that they specify the platform’s award strategy work.
Other than the 13 noms for the “teens” and the 10 for “Black Mirror”, there are few big players wearing Streamer like “Severrance” and “The Studio” do for Apple TV+. Instead, the most important categories include nominations all over the map from the sweet Rom-com “Nobody wants this” to the upcoming limited series “Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Mernender Story.” In the same way, while many of Netflix Noms come from often ignored categories such as variation and documentary, the streamer does not seem as dependent on these nominations as it has done. Netflix’s promise has long been to offer something for everyone, and that goal is what this year’s Emmy Nomination list reflects.
But being everything for all target groups does not come without its challenges. In an extensive article, Bajaria revealed that Netflix has no plans to renew “The Residence” despite its nominations, praised the success of Beyoncé Bowl and “Black Mirror” and talked about the future of Emmy-Less “Squid Game.”
Thewrap: What a good day for you – 120 nominations. Congratulations. Was anyone surprised you?
Bela Bajaria: It’s not so much surprise. There are a few different things that I love. I would first say that we always strive for excellence in television on so many different types of programming categories, and that is what is reflected in the nominations. This morning there are really over 14 different program categories and 44 titles. Being recognized in drama, comedy, script, documentary, live, limited, standing up and everyone else, it is so rewarding. We care so much about doing good TV over all these different areas, because we know that the audience loves TV and all these areas.
The second thing-and it’s not a surprise-but what I think is really fantastic is to have the first nominees in the actor category for either someone who is new and literally this is his first role with Owen Cooper (in the “teens”). But also the first time nominations for people like Adam Brody and Kristen Bell (for “nobody want this”), who have been on television and entertained people for decades, and for someone with incredible body work, such as Javier Bardem who gets his first nomination (for “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”). It is another really interesting part to look at the first time Emmys for us.
Yes. I have covered you for several years, and this is a very impressive slate.
I appreciate it. The second thing to also note (is the four nominations for Beyoncé Bowl), which I am not surprised because Beyoncé will always come through and deliver. The funny thing is that our movement to live is only like one year to two old ones. To really see her dominate with Beyoncé Bowl, as far as viewers and Emmy Noms, is exciting.
There were some nominations to “The Residence”, and it already has canceled. When you make these decisions and then get and a nomination, does it make you consider something? How do you balance it from your side of things?
We love Uzo (Aduba) and she has been part of the Netflix family for a long time, and she has been recognized before. Her performance is fantastic, and she is such a talented actor that we thought she would be nominated. But no, it does not make us change the decision on its cancellation. We are just so happy that the show was made. People loved it. She was incredible in it, and that she is recognized because it is fantastic.
There was a very strong show for “Black Mirror.” I am a personal “Black Mirror” fans, and I am very happy to see that it is so far recognized. Does it make you want to continue your relationship with Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones?
Oh, yes. “Black Mirror” has 10 Emmy nominations, and we have had an incredible season, but we continue our relationship … Charlie is doing new things with a new unit. But we continue to make the upcoming programs with Charlie, so it has not changed. “Black Mirror”, every time Charlie and Annabel have meant that it has been taken on such interesting topics in such a provocative way, and this season was so strong.
(Note: It was Recently reported that Brooker and Jones passed away from Netflix-owned Broke & Bones)
I also wanted to touch “teens.” It’s so beautiful and scary, and I mean it in a free way. You’ve worked with Jack Thorne before; He was behind the “Stranger Things” Broadway show. Are you planning to work more with Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham? How does your relationship change with them in the light of this mass of critical success?
What is really interesting about the “teens” is that it is fantastic to be rewarded for the incredible story but also to be able to see 142.6 million views. It is our second largest English -language show ever. And in addition, it has had a cultural impact and there are conversations of even changing laws in the UK to have that kind of impact – to have fantastic, groundbreaking television and having prices and opinions and cultural impact – is really a powerful thing that the show has done.
But we love Stephen Graham. Jack Thorne has done many things with us, and with the British team we continue to have projects with him. He did some things for us last year. We continue to have relationships with him, and Stephen Graham is a delicious actor and writer. And you know Philip Barantini, who also directed it. We work with them all the time, and they are just so talented for the point of view and stories. We have a good relationship and continue to work with them.
My last question is about “Squid Game.” There were no nominations. As a personal “squid game” fan, I was shocked. What was your reaction to it?
“Squid Game” is so incredibly well written and directed. If you, again, look at the actual impact of the audience and how big that show is in the world – not on Netflix, only in the world – the amount of audience who loves it and linked to it, and it was for season 2 and 3. So I think it is a disappointment that it was not recognized. But if you really look at the amount of people who looked at it and loved it and linked to it, it will always be really important for us to get in touch with an audience. First and foremost, we love that there is, and we love that our audience loves the show. It is still the world’s most popular show. It is also a cultural icon. Obviously, it made history on Emmys to be the first non-English nominees for best drama. So we are very proud of the show, disappointed, safe, for the role and for director Hwang (Dong-Hyuk) because they actually delivered complete, absolute excellence in writing, acting, directing and telling. But first and foremost, we love that the audience embraced it.
A quick follow -up. I know “Squid Game: The Challenge” is coming back. Do you have any calls about expanding this IP?
No. I mean, “Squid Game: The Challenge” comes back. I just looked at the first one as five cuts. It’s so good. I can’t wait for people to see it, and I love it is a natural extension of (“squid game”).
It is always one of the open things that if there is a fantastic, great vision or reason, if someone really has a big while on it. It’s a Netflix Crown Jewel. So we will always take care of it very carefully and thoughtfully. We’ll see if that ever happens. But, you know, right now we’re happy with “Squid Game: The Challenge.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
