^{Credit: Arcane (Netflix), Harley Quinn (HBO Max), Invincible (Prime Video)} 

The 77th Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 15, 2025. In the Outstanding Animated Program category, we can expect a few usual suspects like The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers to be nominated. In a golden age of animation, it’s frustrating seeing voters go back to the well every year. That said, the Animation Peer Group did nominate three newcomers last year with winner Blue Eye Samurai, Scavengers Reign, and X-Men ’97. None of those are eligible this year, although that makes room for a few potential surprises, be it a freshman series like Common Side Effects or a long-overdue contender like Harley Quinn. If I had any say, these would be the nominees for Outstanding Animated Program.  

^{Credit: Arcane (Netflix)} 

Arcane: “The Dirt Under Your Nails”

I know I just went on about how the Animation Peer Group should reach beyond their comfort zone, but let’s be honest. Arcane was the best show of the 2021-22 Emmy season, deservingly winning Outstanding Animated Program for "When These Walls Come Tumbling Down.” Its sophomore outing was another masterstroke, accomplishing more in two seasons than most do in several. Not just artistically, packing the most stimulating visuals this side of the Spider-Verse, but also dramatically in a story that spans years without feeling rushed. That’s not to say there weren’t elements of the final season I wish got more focus, namely the impact Isha’s sacrifice has on Jinx. With the time the showrunners had, though, they hit the essential beats beautifully.

From Jinx’s redemption to Vi’s happy ending with Caitlyn, “The Dirt Under Your Nails” wraps up on just the right note. Yet, the story is left open if Netflix ever wants to give this crew $125 million for one more season (or a movie?). Maybe another Emmy can persuade them. In a perfect world, the series finale wouldn’t just win Outstanding Animated Program. “The Message Hidden Within the Pattern” would be nominated for writing, while Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell would be up for their performances in the episode “Blisters and Bedrock.” Whether or not voters recognize Season 2, Arcane is already in a league of its own, not to mention the stuff of legends.

^{Credit: Common Side Effects (Adult Swim)} 

Common Side Effects: “Cliff’s Edge”

Joseph Bennett received a surprise Emmy nomination last year for the tragically short-lived Scavengers Reign. Hopefully, Bennett scores another nomination for Common Side Effects, which he co-created with Steve Hely and has thankfully been renewed for a second season. This Adult Swim series explores timely themes concerning Big Pharma, conspiracy theories, and the moral responsibilities people abandon the higher climb the corporate ladder. All of the above are at the forefront of the season’s penultimate episode, "Cliff's Edge." Without giving too much away, the episode also contains a killer cliffhanger.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the humor calls to mind the Coen brothers meets King of the Hill, which isn’t surprising since Greg Daniels and Mike Judge are among the executive producers. Judge even voices a bumbling pharmaceutical CEO who sounds suspiciously like Hank Hill. The stars of the show are Marshall (Dave King) and Frances (Emily Pendergast), who are reunited years after attending high school together. Marshall is an intelligent slacker who never grew up. Frances did grow up, only to realize her life is empty. They attempt to make the world a better place with a mysterious mushroom that can seemingly cure anything. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for greed.

^{Credit: Harley Quinn (HBO Max)} 

Harley Quinn: “The Mess Is the Point”

For five seasons, Harley Quinn has been one of TV’s most consistently hilarious shows with one of the most endearing power couples. Inexplicably, it’s never been nominated for a single Emmy. If there’s any justice, "The Mess Is the Point" will rectify that. For whatever reason, the show isn’t listed on HBO Max’s FYC page. The only animated program recognized on the FYC site is Creature Commandos, which has showrunner Dean Lorey in common. It’s clear where HBO’s priorities lie, as a Creature Commandos FYC event took place on June 7. HBO has held FYC events for Harley Quinn in the past, but none were listed on the Television Academy’s site this year. While Creature Commandos is another great DC series, Harley Quinn remains the one to beat (if only it could get nominated).

Parenthood is an overarching theme in Season 5, with Harley and Poison Ivy taking in the infant plant Frankette. The couple shows just how far they’ll go for Frankette in the season finale, which takes them to space with Harley’s mother Sharon tagging along. Oh, and if they have time, maybe they’ll save the world from the Luthors and Brainiac. Like families, the world is far from perfect. As Sharon puts it, though, “the mess is the point.” Embrace Harley Quinn in all of its beautiful messiness.

^{Credit: Invincible (Prime Video)}

Invincible: “All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry”

Despite being one of Prime Video’s buzziest shows, Invincible’s only Emmy nomination to date has been for Sterling K. Brown’s voiceover work in Season 2’s “I Thought You Were Stronger.” The standout performance of Season 3 came from Aaron Paul in the episode, “All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry.”  Paul voices Scott Duvall, whose sister and niece were collateral damage in Mark and Nolan’s bloody brawl. With Nolan MIA, Scott seeks to expose Invincible as the “monster” he is. Although what happened wasn’t Mark’s fault, we see things from Scott’s perspective. He wants justice for his family, and Invincible is the only target. A target that practically everyone else champions as a hero, while Scott sees a fraud. Scott’s pursuit of Invincible calls the words of another Aaron Paul character to mind: “He can’t keep getting away with this!”

In his quest for revenge, Scott becomes the very thing he hates, losing everything he had left. Even then, Scott can’t take responsibility for his actions. He puts the blame on Invincible, and an apology (no matter how sincere) won’t make it better. Mark already learned that he can’t save everyone, but Scott was a whole other case. The experience leaves Mark questioning if heroes like himself are doing more bad than good. Even when they save the day, people like Scott inevitably get caught in the crossfire. It’s arguably the most heartbreaking episode in a show full of emotional gut punches.

^{Credit: Smiling Friends (Adult Swim)} 

Smiling Friends: “Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition with DX 4K (Anniversary Director's Cut)”

Smiling Friends lives up to its name. It’s a show sure to put a smile on your face… assuming you’re in the right frame of mind. Even if you are, that smile can turn to a stunned look of horror in an instant. Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack’s creation is in the vein of classic Adult Swim shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, centering on a group of offbeat characters who take absurdism to new frontiers of WTF. The long-winded title of the Season 2 premiere, “Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition with DX 4K (Anniversary Director's Cut),” is but a taste of the insanity that awaits.

The episode sees Pim and Allan attempt to help disgraced video game mascot Gwimbly make a comeback. Meanwhile, Charlie finds himself at the mercy of a violent sociopath he’s obligated to make smile. Both storylines collide in an ending that pays homage to Super Smash Bros. The episode also contains a character named Troglor, which I can only assume is a nod to Trogdor the Burninator. That would be fitting, as Smiling Friends is best described as Strong Bad on Special K. In any case, an Emmy nomination would put a smile on my face.

Check out the full list of Outstanding Animated Program submissions here.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1 and 2. Available Now!