Television’s most prestigious night is fast approaching, and the 2025 Emmy nominations have already shaken up the awards conversation. This year, we’re witnessing a reshaping of Emmy culture—less reliant on legacy names and more responsive to fresh narratives, diverse voices, and platform breakthroughs.
Here’s your complete guide to the nominations, surprise picks, painful snubs, and the broader story the Emmys are telling about TV’s future.
🏆 Outstanding Drama Series: A Power Shift
Nominees:
Andor (Disney+)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
The Last of Us (HBO)
Paradise (Apple TV+)
The Pitt (Paramount+)
Severance (Apple TV+)
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
The White Lotus (HBO)
Three Apple TV+ titles (Severance, Paradise, and Slow Horses) confirm the streamer’s domination of prestige drama. Severance, with its mind-bending narrative and immaculate direction, earned a stunning 27 nominations, the most of any series.
The Last of Us and Andor continue to push genre storytelling into awards territory—once rare for post-apocalyptic and sci-fi stories. HBO is again a strong player, but Netflix’s The Diplomat surprised many with its bold international political plotline and compelling lead performance from Keri Russell.
🎭 Outstanding Comedy Series: A Fierce, Funny Lineup
Nominees:
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
The Bear (Hulu)
Hacks (Max)
Nobody Wants This (FX)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Shrinking (Apple TV+)
The Studio (Netflix)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
The Studio, a behind-the-scenes Hollywood satire, stunned with 23 nominations, tying records for a debut comedy. Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri return in The Bear, which continues to blend sharp humor with emotional realism. Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary retains its place as network TV’s strongest contender.
Meanwhile, Shrinking marks a breakout for Jason Segel and gave us Harrison Ford’s first Emmy nomination—at 82!
🧨 Surprises That Shook the Industry
This year’s nominations brought some genuine curveballs:
Meghann Fahy’s nomination for Sirens showcases her range, pivoting from drama to comedy with style.
Adolescence became the sleeper hit of the year. Its themes of identity and trauma resonated, and it made history with 15-year-old Owen Cooper becoming the youngest ever Lead Actor nominee in a limited series.
Uzo Aduba received a nomination for The Residence, a short-lived series that critics loved but audiences missed.
Jeff Hiller finally gets long-overdue recognition for his deeply humane work in Somebody Somewhere.
Colman Domingo pulled a surprise comedy nomination for The Four Seasons, where he delivers both gravitas and humor in a role crafted by Tina Fey.
❌ Snubs That Have Fans Fuming
No Emmy list is complete without heartbreak. This year delivered some serious upsets:
Selena Gomez missed a nomination for Only Murders in the Building, despite major fan support and critical growth over three seasons.
Bridget Everett was ignored again for Somebody Somewhere, despite being a fan-favorite and critical darling.
Squid Game, once a global phenomenon and previous Emmy darling, received zero major nominations in its follow-up season.
The Handmaid’s Tale was nearly erased from contention for the first time in years.
Big names like Helen Mirren, Renée Zellweger, and Jon Hamm were left off for roles many expected to be automatic contenders.
🧑🎤 Acting Categories: A Generational Clash
Best Lead Actor – Drama:
Sterling K. Brown (Paradise)
Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
Adam Scott (Severance)
Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
Sterling K. Brown's role in Paradise is being hailed as his most emotionally layered performance since This Is Us. Adam Scott continues to impress with Severance, while Noah Wyle makes a comeback in The Pitt with a haunting, vulnerable portrayal.
Best Lead Actress – Drama:
Kathy Bates (Matlock)
Keri Russell (The Diplomat)
Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)
Britt Lower (Severance)
Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters)
Bates makes history once again, while Bella Ramsey’s fearless performance has won over critics and fans alike. Britt Lower’s understated pain and complexity in Severance is finally getting its due.
📉 Streaming Trends: What This Year Tells Us
The 2025 nominations affirm a trend that’s been growing: streamers now dominate the awards landscape. Apple TV+ and Netflix lead the charge, with HBO and Hulu close behind.
Network shows like Abbott Elementary prove there’s still room for traditional TV, but the Emmys now prioritize innovative, risk-taking content—and that lives mostly on streaming.
Additionally, limited series have become testing grounds for some of the best work in TV, often attracting top-tier film talent and launching careers.
🎯 Who's Likely to Win?
Frontrunners:
Severance: Most-nominated show, excellent writing, direction, and performances.
The Bear: Undefeated in major comedy categories last year, expected to clean up again.
The Penguin: A dark horse in limited series, with buzz and performance power.
The Studio: Strong first-season showing, a real threat to Abbott Elementary and Hacks.
Bella Ramsey & Pedro Pascal: Their onscreen chemistry and individual depth in The Last of Us could earn double wins.
🗓️ When Are the Emmys?
Mark your calendars:
📍 Peacock Theater, Los Angeles
📆 September 14, 2025
🎤 Hosted by Nate Bargatze
Expect red carpet buzz, emotional speeches, and possible history-making wins.
✨ Final Word
The 2025 Emmy nominations feel like a reflection of a changing industry—one that values bold storytelling, fresh talent, and global relevance more than ever. With old favorites dropping out and new icons stepping in, we’re witnessing the reshaping of television royalty in real time.
Whether you’re pulling for Severance, riding with The Bear, or hoping The Studio takes it home—this year’s ceremony promises to be unpredictable, emotional, and unforgettable.