Primetime Emmy Nominations 2025: A Deep Dive into the TV Season’s Biggest Achievements

Introduction

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced on July 15, 2025, showcasing excellence in television released between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. Hosted by Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song, alongside Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego, this year's nominations highlight both industry favorites and breakout newcomers. With Apple TV+’s Severance leading the pack, and HBO Max’s The White Lotus, The Penguin, and Apple TV+’s comedy The Studio racking up multiple nods, it’s poised to be one of the most competitive Emmy seasons yet.

Nomination Highlights and Leading Series

Apple TV+ and HBO Max Dominate

• Severance tops with 27 nominations, solidifying its position as the year’s most celebrated drama.

• The Penguin follows with 24 nominations, while The Studio and The White Lotus each earn 23, marking them as leading comedy and drama contenders.

Returning Favorites & Newcomers

Long-running favorites such as The Bear, Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, and Hacks continue to secure nominations. Meanwhile, fresh entries like Nobody Wants This, Shrinking, The Diplomat, and The Pitt (with 13) bring youthful energy to the race.

Major Categories & Standout Talent

Drama & Comedy Series

Outstanding Drama Series nomination lineup:

• Andor, The Diplomat, The Last of Us, Paradise, The Pitt, Severance, Slow Horses, The White Lotus 

Outstanding Comedy Series includes:

• Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking, The Studio, What We Do in the Shadows 

Acting Powerhouses

Notable Lead Actor/Actress nominees:

• Drama Actor: Adam Scott (Severance), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Noah Wyle (The Pitt) 

• Drama Actress: Kathy Bates (Matlock), Britt Lower (Severance), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters) 

• Comedy Actor: Seth Rogen (The Studio), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building) 

• Comedy Actress: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Jean Smart (Hacks), Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This), Uzo Aduba (The Residence)

Limited Series, Supporting Roles & Creative Recognition

Limited Series & Anthology

Nominations shine for: The Penguin, Adolescence, Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

• Leading Roles: Colin Farrell (The Penguin), Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer), Cristin Milioti (The Penguin), Stephen Graham (Adolescence)

• Supporting Roles include Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny, Ruth Negga, Owen Cooper and more from standout limited series.

Guest Performances & Reality/Variety

Highlights include:

• Guest Actor/Actress nods: Jon Bernthal, Harrison Ford (first-ever Emmy nomination at age 83 for Shrinking), Olivia Colman, Jamie Lee Curtis, and others CBS News+2EW.com+2EW.com+2.

• Reality & Talk: RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Top Chef and late-night staples like The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! EW.com+1Backstage+1.

Top Series & Their Nomination Counts

Key Takeaways from the Nominations

1. Apple TV+ Leading Charge – With Severance (27) and The Studio (23), Apple TV+ dominates both drama and comedy.

2. HBO Max’s Continued Success – The Penguin, White Lotus, Last of Us, and Pitt reflect strong streaming presence.

3. Breakout New Entries – Twitter’s Nobody Wants This, HBO Max’s The Pitt, and Netflix’s Shrinking underscore rising talent.

4. Veteran Stars Get Recognition – Seth Rogen, Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell, and Harrison Ford among notable names.

5. Diversified Content – Categories span mainstream hits, prestige dramas, anthology series, reality, and talk shows.

6. Fresh Voices & Formats – Variety in storytelling methods and genres drives nomination diversity.

7. Firsts & Milestones – Harrison Ford’s first Emmy nomination at 83, record-setting freshman comedy with The Studio.

8. Host Recognition – Nate Bargatze earns a nod as Emmy host for Your Friend, Nate Bargatze.

9. Technical and Creative Nods – Writing, directing, costumes, and guest roles show the breadth of excellence recognized.

10. Seasoned Voter Base – Voting by Television Academy members reflects both legacy and innovative programming.

What It All Means for the September 14 Ceremony

The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards—hosted by Nate Bargatze—will air live on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+) from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. With nominations firmly in place, the awards reflect both the evolution of television storytelling and the increasing strength of streaming platforms.

Conclusion

The 2025 Primetime Emmy nominations underline a golden era of television—where streaming giants clash with network stalwarts, seasoned legends share the spotlight with fresh faces, and storytelling continues to broaden horizons. As the race heats up toward September 14, winning an Emmy will not just mark popularity, but also cultural impact and industry respect.

Whether you're rooting for Severance to sweep or hoping to see newcomers like The Pitt and Nobody Wants This snag surprises, the 77th Emmys promises a television season worth celebrating. Stay tuned, and let me know if you’d like a nominee-by-nominee breakdown, predictive analysis, or ceremony watch guide!