By Rebecca Brando x The Big Magazine
The Television Academy is implementing some changes to their rules ahead of the 2025 Emmys awards ceremony later this year.
On Wednesday (January 8), it was announced that the Academy implemented a significant change regarding how actors can be nominated in the Lead and Guest Actor categories.
They also announced several other rule changes that will take effect between this year's ceremony and the one in 2026. As reported by Variety, the most significant change is that actors will no longer be allowed to compete in both the Lead Actor and Guest Actor categories for the same role over the years.
The official rule states: “A performer who has been nominated or has won in a lead or supporting performer category cannot submit in a guest performer category in a future Emmy year for the same character role in the same series. However, they can still compete in a lead or supporting category.”
In 2025, directors will have the option to nominate themselves for their work on multiple projects rather than choosing just one.
“This change will allow the director to submit an episode from each of the programs they directed,” the Academy explained about the decision.
For the 2026 ceremony, new rules will alter the nomination process for reality casting categories. Additional rules changes that will be implemented for the 78th Emmy competition (2026):
Casting:
To streamline the number of reality casting titles that are eligible for Emmy consideration, the following titles will be eligible starting with the 2026 Emmy competition:
Casting By
Executive in Charge of Casting
Supervising Casting Director
Supervising Casting Producer
Senior Casting Director
Casting Director
Senior Casting Producer
Casting Producer
Celebrity Casting By
Music – Main Title Theme:
A Main Title Theme must appear in 50% or more of eligible episodes submitted for the 2026 Emmy competition. The Main Title Theme has been further defined as a musical fingerprint and calling card that is identifiable and unique to a show, thereby drawing an audience in by setting the show’s tone and what is to come.
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