Emmy Awards 2025: ‘Severance’ Leads with 27 Nominations as Apple TV+ and HBO Max Dominate the Race.

The nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards have officially been announced, and the competition is tighter than ever. This year, the Apple TV+ series “Severance” emerged as the most-nominated show, garnering 27 nominations across major categories — including acting, writing, directing, and Outstanding Drama Series.

Platform Wars: HBO Max, Netflix, and Apple TV+ in a Tight Race

In the battle of streamers and networks, HBO Max led with a record-breaking 142 nominations, followed closely by Netflix with 120, and Apple TV+ with 81. The surge in high-quality original programming from these platforms continues to redefine the television landscape.

The nominations were revealed in a live broadcast by Running Point star Brenda Song and What We Do in the Shadows actor Harvey Guillén.

Drama Dominates: Top Shows in the Running

Among the top contenders for Outstanding Drama Series, we see a blend of returning hits and strong new entries:

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

Each of these shows brought intense storytelling, critical acclaim, and standout performances to television screens over the past year.

Comedy Category Shines with Fan Favorites

This year’s Outstanding Comedy Series nominations reflect both consistency and bold new entries:

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

Shows like The Bear and Shrinking have earned their place as comedy heavyweights, while Netflix’s Nobody Wants This delivered a refreshing twist on workplace satire.

Best Limited Series: Crime, Sci-Fi, and Dark Dramas

The Outstanding Limited Series category includes gripping and unique narratives that left a strong impression:

  • Adolescence
  • Black Mirror
  • Dying for Sex
  • Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
  • The Penguin

Each of these series explored complex themes ranging from psychological horror to true crime, earning their spots on the Emmy stage.

Leading Actors and Actresses in Drama

In the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category:

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

For Lead Actress in a Drama Series:

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

Supporting Drama Performances: A Fierce Lineup

Supporting Actors:

  • Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and John Turturro (Severance)
  • Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, and Sam Rockwell (The White Lotus)
  • James Marsden (Paradise)

Supporting Actresses:

  • Patricia Arquette (Severance)
  • Carrie Coon, Natasha Rothwell, Parker Posey, Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus)
  • Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
  • Julianne Nicholson (Paradise)

The dominance of Severance and The White Lotus in these categories shows just how impactful these ensembles have been.

Comedy Acting Categories: First-Timers and Legends

Lead Actresses in a Comedy:

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

Lead Actors in a Comedy:

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

Supporting Comedy Performances: Newcomers Shine

Supporting Actresses:

  • Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear)
  • Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
  • Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara (The Studio)
  • Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)
  • Jessica Williams (Shrinking)

Supporting Actors:

  • Ike Barinholtz, Colman Domingo (The Studio, The Four Seasons)
  • Harrison Ford, Michael Urie (Shrinking)
  • Jeff Hiller, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Bowen Yang

Limited Series Standouts

Lead Actors:

  • Colin Farrell (The Penguin)
  • Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
  • Jake Gyllenhaal, Brian Tyree Henry, Cooper Koch

Lead Actresses:

  • Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer)
  • Meghann Fahy (Sirens)
  • Rashida Jones, Cristin Milioti, Michelle Williams

Supporting Actors:

  • Javier Bardem, Bill Camp, Peter Sarsgaard, Ashley Walters, Rob Delaney, Owen Cooper

Supporting Actresses:

  • Erin Doherty, Ruth Negga, Chloë Sevigny, Jenny Slate, Christine Tremarco, Deirdre O’Connell

Reality, Variety, and Talk Show Highlights

Reality/Competition Series:

  • The Traitors
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • The Amazing Race
  • Survivor
  • Top Chef

Talk Series:

  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!
  • The Daily Show
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Variety Special (Live):

  • The Super Bowl Halftime Show ft. Kendrick Lamar
  • Beyoncé Bowl
  • The Oscars
  • SNL50: The Anniversary Special
  • SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Guest Performances Worth Watching

Guest Actors (Comedy):

  • Jon Bernthal, Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, Martin Scorsese

Guest Actresses (Comedy):

  • Olivia Colman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cynthia Erivo, Robby Hoffman, Zoë Kravitz, Julianne Nicholson

Guest Actors (Drama):

  • Giancarlo Esposito, Scott Glenn, Shawn Hatosy, Joe Pantoliano, Forest Whitaker, Jeffrey Wright

Guest Actresses (Drama):

  • Jane Alexander, Gwendoline Christie, Kaitlyn Dever, Cherry Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Merritt Wever

Looking Ahead: Emmy Night on September 14

The 2025 Emmy Awards will air live on September 14 on CBS, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze. With shows like Severance, The Penguin, and The White Lotus leading the pack, it’s clear this will be a night of suspense, celebration, and unforgettable moments.

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