The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards turned into one of the most surprising nights in recent TV history. While statistics, nomination counts, and industry trends suggested one set of winners, the Television Academy ultimately reminded us that numbers don’t always tell the full story. At the end of the day, voters follow their own instincts — and that unpredictability is what made this year’s Emmys fascinating.
The Drama Showdown: Severance vs. The Pitt
Heading into the ceremony, most experts predicted that Apple TV+’s Severance (Season 2) would take home the Emmy for Best Drama Series. After all, it led the field with 27 nominations, more than double the 13 earned by HBO Max’s freshman drama The Pitt. Historically, the most nominated drama has usually claimed the top honor, especially since 2017 when The Handmaid’s Tale upset Westworld.
But in the end, The Pitt emerged victorious.
Why? Several reasons may have tilted the scales:
- Freshness factor: As a brand-new show, The Pitt felt like the “shiny new toy” that voters were excited about.
- Gap disadvantage: Severance had nearly a three-year break between seasons, which may have cooled enthusiasm.
- Emotional connection: Many Academy members reportedly found The Pitt’s characters warmer and easier to root for, whereas Severance was described by some as “cold.”
- The hometown card: The Pitt was proudly shot locally, a detail that resonated with industry insiders.
- Comeback narrative: Lead actor Noah Wyle’s return to the spotlight gave the show a Cinderella-like story voters couldn’t resist.
It’s believed the voting was extremely close, but The Pitt ultimately made history as the season’s breakout winner.
Splitting the Acting Wins
The acting awards reflected just how evenly matched the two dramas were:
- Best Actress (Drama): Britt Lower (Severance) – a surprise win over veteran Kathy Bates.
- Best Supporting Actor (Drama): Tramell Tillman (Severance), who beat out his own castmates and contenders from The White Lotus.
- Best Actor (Drama): Noah Wyle (The Pitt), in a comeback win over Adam Scott (Severance).
- Best Supporting Actress (Drama): Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt), triumphing over Patricia Arquette (Severance).
In directing and writing, neither show prevailed. Slow Horses snagged Best Director, while Disney+’s Andor earned Best Writing.
Had Severance won Best Drama alongside Apple’s comedy triumph with The Studio, Apple TV+ would have been the first platform since HBO in 2016 to win both top honors. Still, the streamer had its best Emmy night ever with 22 total wins.
Comedy Spotlight: The Studio Redefines Success
If the drama race was close, the comedy category was a landslide. Apple TV+’s The Studio — a sharp industry satire — completely swept the field. With a rookie-record 23 nominations, it went on to claim 13 wins, breaking the record previously held by FX’s The Bear.
The show’s biggest headline came from Seth Rogen, who pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime achievement: winning Emmys in comedy acting, writing, directing, and producing — all in the same year.
For many outside Hollywood, The Studio may feel like “inside baseball,” full of niche references to filmmaking and industry culture. But for Emmy voters — many of whom live and breathe the business — it was irresistible.
HBO Max’s Hacks still held strong, with Jean Smart winning her fourth Emmy for the series (and seventh overall), cementing her legacy among TV legends. Hannah Einbinder finally scored her first Emmy for the show as Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, one of the night’s biggest upsets came when Jeff Hiller won Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. His victory shocked viewers, as he beat high-profile contenders including Harrison Ford (Shrinking) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear).
Limited/Anthology Series: Adolescence Tops The Penguin
In the limited series race, two heavyweights squared off: HBO’s The Penguin, which had 24 nominations, and Netflix’s Adolescence, which had only 13. On paper, The Penguin looked stronger. But cultural buzz is often more powerful than stats — and Adolescence had it in spades.
Just like Netflix’s previous winners (The Queen’s Gambit, Beef, Baby Reindeer), Adolescence captured the zeitgeist. It swept the head-to-head matchups against The Penguin, taking home awards for Best Limited Series, Best Actor (Stephen Graham), Best Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty), Directing, and Writing.
A historic moment came when 15-year-old Owen Cooper won Best Supporting Actor, becoming the youngest male ever to claim an acting Emmy.
The Penguin didn’t leave empty-handed. Cristin Milioti won Best Actress for her standout performance, giving HBO at least one major win.
Talk Shows, Variety, and Network Struggles
The Emmys also delivered some surprises outside the drama and comedy categories:
- Best Talk Series went to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, just months after CBS announced its cancellation. The win felt like a symbolic message of support to Colbert.
- Best Live Variety Special was claimed by NBC’s Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.
- Once again, HBO’s Last Week Tonight bested SNL in the scripted variety categories.
For network television, however, the night was bleak. Aside from SNL’s anniversary special, wins were scarce. This ongoing trend raises questions about whether broadcast networks should push for separate Emmy categories to compete more fairly with cable and streaming giants.
Lessons From The Bear’s Shutout
FX’s The Bear, which dominated in previous years, went 0-for-13 this season. Not because the show lost quality, but likely because voters grew tired of it competing in the comedy category rather than drama, where it arguably belongs.
Other shows, like Orange Is the New Black and Shameless, have successfully reclassified mid-run. Many now wonder why The Bear hasn’t done the same. A genre shift could revive its awards momentum in the future.
Final Tally: HBO vs. Netflix
When all was said and done, HBO/HBO Max and Netflix tied as the night’s biggest winners, with 30 Emmy victories each. The competition between these two titans will no doubt continue into the next awards season.
Conclusion
The 2025 Emmy Awards showcased the unpredictable, thrilling, and sometimes frustrating nature of awards season. The Pitt’s unexpected Best Drama win, The Studio’s record-breaking comedy sweep, and Adolescence’s cultural dominance ensured that the night will be remembered as one of bold surprises.
While stats and nominations may set the stage, the Emmys ultimately remind us of one truth: it’s not about the numbers, it’s about the stories that connect with voters at the right moment.