The 2025 Emmy nominations, announced on July 15, 2025, at the Television Academy’s Los Angeles headquarters, have sparked excitement and debate among fans and industry insiders alike. With Apple TV+’s Severance leading the pack with 27 nominations and The Studio dominating the comedy categories with a record-tying 23 nods, this year’s race highlights a mix of established favorites, breakout newcomers, and notable oversights. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, set to air on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025, with host Nate Bargatze, promises to be a celebration of television’s finest—and a point of contention for those left out. Here’s a look at the surprises, snubs, and standout moments from this year’s nominations.
Standout Nominees and Surprises
The nominations showcased a strong showing for streaming platforms, particularly Apple TV+ and HBO/Max. Severance, a critically acclaimed sci-fi drama, secured 27 nominations, including Best Drama Series and Best Actor for Adam Scott, marking a significant leap from its modest wins last year for dramatic score and title design. The series’ intricate storytelling and compelling performances, including supporting nods for Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and John Turturro, have solidified its status as a frontrunner.
Apple TV+’s The Studio, a satirical comedy about Hollywood’s inner workings, matched a historical record for comedy series nominations with 23, tying with The Bear’s 2024 haul. Seth Rogen, who stars and serves as a writer and director, earned four individual nominations, including Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The show’s guest actor category was particularly dominant, with five of six slots going to Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, and Martin Scorsese for their self-referential cameos. Rogen expressed his excitement, noting the nominations felt “validating in a way that I’m not used to being validated.”
HBO’s The Penguin, a gritty limited series spinoff from the Batman universe, landed 24 nominations, with standout performances by Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, both nominated for their roles as the Penguin and Sofia Falcone, respectively. Milioti, who learned of her Best Actress in a Limited Series nod while running errands, described the experience as “thrilling” and said she deeply connected with her character. The series also earned a supporting actress nomination for Deirdre O’Connell.
The Pitt, a high-intensity medical drama on HBO Max, emerged as a surprise hit with 13 nominations, including Best Drama Series and Best Actor for Noah Wyle, marking his first Emmy nod in 26 years since his ER days. Wyle, who also serves as a producer and writer, praised the show’s broad recognition across departments, calling it a “collective effort.” The series, likened to a blend of ER and 24 for its hour-by-hour format, has been a ratings juggernaut, ranking among HBO Max’s top three most-watched titles.
Other notable surprises include 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who became the youngest-ever nominee for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series for his breakout role in Netflix’s Adolescence. The series itself earned 13 nominations, with Stephen Graham also recognized for Best Actor and Outstanding Writing. Graham expressed gratitude for the ensemble’s recognition, calling it a “wonderful” collective achievement. Additionally, Kathy Bates, at 77, became the oldest nominee for Best Drama Actress for her role in Matlock, a testament to her enduring talent.
Notable Snubs
Despite the excitement, several high-profile shows and performers were overlooked, leading to widespread discussion on platforms like X. Andor, the critically praised Star Wars series, secured 14 nominations, including Best Drama, but shockingly missed out on acting nods for Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Adria Arjona, and Elizabeth Dulau. Fans and critics alike expressed disappointment, with some calling it one of the biggest oversights of the year.
Netflix’s The Four Seasons, featuring comedy heavyweights Tina Fey and Steve Carell, was a surprising underperformer, earning just one nomination for Colman Domingo as Best Supporting Actor. Similarly, Squid Game’s second season, despite its previous Emmy success, was shut out entirely, with no nods for Lee Jung-jae, who won Best Actor in a Drama three years ago. Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors, starring Jon Hamm, also failed to resonate with voters, missing out despite its glossy appeal.
In the comedy category, Running Point, starring Kate Hudson and created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and Elaine Ko, was completely ignored, though Barinholtz earned a supporting actor nod for The Studio. Somebody Somewhere’s Bridget Everett was another notable omission, despite a supporting nod for Jeff Hiller. On the talk-show front, Sean Evans’ Hot Ones was overlooked in favor of traditional stalwarts like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Daily Show, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Seth Meyers and Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal also failed to make the cut, with the latter’s innovative format seemingly too unconventional for Emmy voters.
Key Takeaways
The 2025 nominations reflect a blend of returning favorites and bold new entries. The White Lotus continued its strong run with 23 nominations, including acting nods for Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Aimee Lou Wood, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, and Sam Rockwell. The Last of Us earned 16 nominations, with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey recognized for their lead roles. Hacks, The Bear, and Abbott Elementary remained comedy powerhouses, with Hacks securing 14 nominations and The Bear earning nods for Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The limited series category was particularly competitive, with Dying for Sex earning nominations for Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, and Rob Delaney, alongside Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story with nods for Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny, and Cooper Koch. Nobody Wants This also broke through with nominations for Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, highlighting Netflix’s continued strength in comedy.
Posts on X captured the polarized sentiment, with some users celebrating the recognition of new shows like The Pitt and Adolescence, while others lamented the exclusion of Andor and Squid Game. One user noted, “How do you snub Diego Luna but nominate 33 first-time actors?” reflecting the frustration over perceived inconsistencies.
