emmy nominations 2025

Spotlight: Top Drama Series Nominations

The competition for Outstanding Drama Series is fierce, with eight critically acclaimed contenders:

1. Andor
2. The Diplomat
3. The Last of Us
4. Paradise
5. The Pit
6. Severance
7. Slow Horses
8. The White Lotus

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Why they matter:

These series blend complex storytelling, strong character arcs, and high production values.

Apple TV+’s sci-fi workplace thriller, Severance, leads with 27 nominations, proving its cross-genre appeal

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The White Lotus continues to reflect cultural satire wrapped in lavish drama.

The Last of Us, with its emotional post-apocalyptic narrative, continues to draw fans and deliver strong performances.

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Highlights: Best Comedy Series

Among the eight standout shows nominated for Emmys in the comedy category are:

1. Abbott Elementary
2. The Bear
3. Hacks
4. Nobody Wants This
5. Only Murders in the Building
6. Shrink
7. The Studio
8. What We Do in the Shadows

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Why viewers care

These series explore contextual humor, workplace dynamics, and plot-bending melodies:

Abbott Elementary’s under-resourced teachers Brilliant with heartfelt portrayals.

The Bear redefines "comedy" by mixing high-pressure culinary scenes with dark humor—and it's starting a conversation

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"The Studio," a sharp and irreverent debut, breaks through Hollywood's inner circle with sharp satire—earning a record-breaking 23 Emmy nods in its first season alone.

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   Best Actor Nominees Drama

    Leading Actors:

1. Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
2. Adam Scott (Severance)
3. Sterling K. Brown (Paradise)
4. Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
5. Noah Wyle (The Pit)

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    Leading Actress:

1. Britt Lower (Severance)
2. Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)
3. Kathy Bates (Matlock)
4. Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters)
5. Keri Russell (The Diplomat)

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These nominations highlight the depth and complexity of the acting—Adam Scott and Britt Lower's portrayals of the "in" and "out" characters in Severance have garnered widespread praise for their nuanced emotional range.

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Comedy

    Leading Actors:

1. Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)
2. Seth Rogen (The Studio)
3. Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This)
4. Jason Segel (Shrink)
5. Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)

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    Leading Actresses:

1. Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
2. Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)
3. Jean Smart (Hacks)
4. Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This)
5. Uzo Aduba (The Residence)

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They bring bold comedic timing and emotional depth—like Jeremy Allen White’s transformation from chaotic chef to grounded lead.

Greater Significance and Audience Attraction

Cultural Relevance - Series like Abbott Elementary and The Diplomat reflect on important social issues like education equity and global politics.

Genre innovation is at its peak - Series like Severance, The Bear and Shrinking are pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling to offer viewers a bold, new way to experience storytelling that blends drama, comedy and suspense.

Top-tier talent - With veterans like Kathy Bates and Pedro Pascal and newcomers like Britt Lower and Ayo Edebiri, the cast lineup bridges generations.

The streaming revolution continues - Apple TV+, HBO Max, Netflix and Hulu are leading the pack, consolidating their dominance as Emmy powerhouses and reshaping the future of television recognition.

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The 2025 Emmy nominations celebrate a diverse range of series and performances. This year’s drama contenders — from Severance and The White Lotus to The Last of Us — bring a rich tapestry of storytelling, blending awards-worthy dignity with cinematic depth. In comedy, the field blends heartfelt workplace stories (Abbott Elementary), thrilling dark humor (The Bear), and industrial satire (The Studio). Leading actor nods go to Pedro Pascal, Adam Scott, and Jeremy Allen White, while actresses like Bella Ramsey, Britt Lower, Quinta Brunson, and Ayo Edebiri earn high praise.

These nominations aren’t just about the awards — they highlight the growing tastes of viewers, innovative storytelling styles, and the power of streaming platforms to shape the future of television.