The 77th Emmy Awards nominations have arrived - and if there's one thing that's clear, it's that Emmy voters are more than ready to take a big bite out of the Apple. Apple TV+ had a stellar year, with Severance and The Studio dominating the drama and comedy categories, respectively. Meanwhile, HBO Max surged ahead in the network race, reclaiming its throne as the most-nominated platform with a staggering 142 nominations!
As anticipation builds for the ceremony on September 14, here's everything you need to know about this historic year in television - including broken records, fresh contenders, network face-offs, and new Emmy rules.
Apple TV+ Makes Emmy History with The Studio and Severance
Two Apple TV+ juggernauts lead their respective genres:
- Severance racked up 27 nominations, becoming one of the most-nominated dramas of the year.
- The Studio, the satirical Hollywood send-up starring Seth Rogen, made Emmy history with 23 nominations - the most ever for a comedy in its debut season.
That nomination count for The Studio ties The Bear’s Season 3 tally from 2024 (which won 11 Emmys - a record for a comedy in one year). With nominations across Outstanding Comedy Series, Lead Actor (Rogen), Directing, Writing, and more, Rogen is poised to possibly tie the record for most individual wins in a single night if he sweeps his categories.
The satirical series - created by Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez, and Seth Rogen - follows Matt Remick (played by Rogen), a newly appointed Hollywood studio chief trying to steer an industry in chaos. Its unique episodic structure and biting commentary on the entertainment world have resonated with critics and audiences alike.
The cast is equally stacked, with standout performances from Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Bryan Cranston, plus cameos from real-life Hollywood figures. Thanks to its critical acclaim and global buzz, Apple TV+ has already renewed the show for a second season.
Drama Series: Severance, White Lotus, and HBO’s Return to the Top
On the drama side, the Outstanding Drama Series race includes genre-defining work from The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Severance, Paradise, Andor, Slow Horses, The Diplomat, and HBO Max’s new entry, The Pitt.
HBO Max’s lineup helped it top the network race with 142 nominations, a jump from its previous record of 140 in 2022. The Penguin, White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Hacks were key contributors. After playing second fiddle to Netflix last year, HBO Max now reclaims its crown, reinforcing its two-decade dominance.
In acting, Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) and Sterling K. Brown (Paradise) headline the Lead Actor in a Drama nominees, joined by Adam Scott (Severance), Noah Wyle, and Gary Oldman.Kathy Bates made history as the oldest woman ever nominated in the Lead Actress in a Drama category at 77 for her performance in Matlock. She’s joined by Britt Lower, Bella Ramsey, Sharon Horgan, and Keri Russell.
Severance and The White Lotus also dominate the supporting acting categories, reinforcing their status as Emmy powerhouses this year.
Comedy Series: The Bear, Abbott, and Hacks Return - But The Studio Leads
The Outstanding Comedy Series nominees include returning favorites like The Bear, Abbott Elementary, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, and What We Do in the Shadows. But all eyes are on The Studio, the record-breaking newcomer now at the center of Emmy buzz.
Seth Rogen leads the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy category alongside Jeremy Allen White, Adam Brody, Martin Short, and Jason Segel.
In the Lead Actress category, past winners like Quinta Brunson and Jean Smart compete with rising stars like Ayo Edebiri, Kristen Bell, and Uzo Aduba. Supporting nods span Emmy veterans like Catherine O’Hara, Liza Colón-Zayas, Olivia Colman, and Jessica Williams.
Notably, What We Do in the Shadows ends its run with 35 total nominations (but just one win), while Apple TV+’s Shrinking is hoping to convert its momentum into its first Emmy victory.
Limited & Anthology Series: True Crime, Grit, and Emotional Arcs
This year's Limited or Anthology Series category is full of heavyweight contenders. The Penguin leads the category in nominations, with Colin Farrell earning accolades for his gritty performance. Meanwhile, Black Mirror returns with strong entries after years of bouncing between TV Movie and Limited Series formats.
Netflix’s Adolescence continues to make waves this Emmy season, not just for its bold storytelling but for the breakout performance of 15-year-old Owen Cooper. The young British actor has earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie for his chilling portrayal of teen killer Jamie Miller. With this nomination, Cooper becomes the youngest performer ever recognized in that category - and if he wins, he’ll make history as the youngest male actor to take home an Emmy in any acting category.
Since its March release, Adolescence has dominated Netflix’s global charts, becoming the second most-watched show in the platform’s history behind Wednesday, with more than 540 million hours viewed. It also holds the title as the most-watched U.K. title ever on the service. Like Baby Reindeer before it, the series has captivated audiences with its raw, homegrown storytelling and a spotlight on rising British talent - earning Cooper a Hollywood Reporter cover and a fast-growing international fan base.
Beyond its gripping narrative, Adolescence struck a cultural chord for its timely exploration of the digital world’s darker corners. The show sparked a global conversation about the online “manosphere,” with Jamie’s radicalization through internet forums offering a chilling lens on how virtual echo chambers can fuel real-world rage and violence. It’s a bold, unsettling look at masculinity in the algorithm age - making Adolescence one of the year’s most talked-about Emmy contenders.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony
The 2025 Emmys introduced a few key rule changes including guest acting eligibility. Actors who’ve previously been nominated or won in a lead or supporting category for a role can no longer shift to the guest category for the same role in future seasons. Nicknamed the “Queen Elizabeth rule”, it was sparked by The Crown’s Claire Foy, who won both lead and guest Emmys for portraying Queen Elizabeth.
Another change is that Directors can now submit multiple entries in a single category as long as they’re for different programmes, offering greater flexibility and opportunity for recognition especially in a time of Television boom.
The voting took place from June 12 to June 23, with a total of 228 submissions across drama, comedy, and limited series. The final tally? A massive 600 eligible programmes across 15 categories - showing just how crowded and competitive today’s TV landscape has become!
The 77th Emmy Awards will air Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Comedian Nate Bargatze will host the ceremony, bringing levity to an already high-energy celebration.
With record-breaking nods for The Studio, a resurgent HBO Max, and several newcomers poised to upset the old guard, this year’s Emmy Awards promise to be unforgettable. From groundbreaking performances to long-overdue recognition, the 2025 Emmys are more than just a ceremony - they’re a snapshot of television at its most creative, competitive, and cultural.
