The television industry’s most prestigious awards ceremony is just around the corner, and the Emmy Awards 2025 have delivered some of the most exciting nominations in recent memory. The Emmy nominations 2025 were announced on July 15th, bringing thrilling victories for some shows while leaving beloved series in the cold. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s biggest contenders, surprises, and disappointments that have everyone talking.
Apple TV+ and HBO Max Lead the Pack with Record-Breaking Numbers
The Emmy nominations 2025 showcase Apple TV+ having an absolute moment, with their dystopian workplace thriller Severance leading all shows with a staggering 27 nominations. This Apple TV+ series, starring Adam Scott and Britt Lower, has completely dominated the drama categories and positioned itself as the clear frontrunner for Best Drama Series.
Following closely behind, HBO Max’s The Penguin snatched 24 nominations, while The White Lotus Season 3 earned an impressive 23 nominations. The third major player is Apple TV+’s comedy The Studio, which also grabbed 23 nominations and made history by breaking Ted Lasso’s record for most comedy nominations in a first season.
Apple TV+ Severance show office scene illustration
Best Drama Series: Severance vs. Established Favorites
The Outstanding Drama Series category for the Emmy Awards 2025 presents one of the most competitive lineups in years. Severance leads the charge with its mind-bending workplace thriller that has captivated audiences and critics alike. The show faces tough competition from familiar favorites including The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Slow Horses, The Diplomat, Andor, Paradise, and The Pitt.
What makes this category particularly interesting is that last year’s winner Shōgun isn’t eligible this year, opening the door for new champions. The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle, has emerged as a surprise contender with 13 nominations and could provide stiff competition to Severance’s dominance.
Best Comedy Series: The Studio Makes Historic Debut
The comedy race for the Emmy nominations 2025 is equally thrilling, with The Studio making an unprecedented first-season impact. Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ comedy about Hollywood earned 23 nominations, tying the record held by The Bear for most comedy nominations in a single season.
The Outstanding Comedy Series nominees include returning champions Hacks (the defending winner), The Bear, Abbott Elementary, along with newcomers The Studio, Nobody Wants This, Shrinking, Only Murders in the Building, and What We Do in the Shadows. This mix of established hits and fresh faces promises an unpredictable race to the finish line.
Trending Shows Dominate Multiple Categories
Several of the year’s most talked-about series have secured major nominations across the Emmy Awards 2025. Hacks, last year’s comedy winner, returns with strong nominations for Jean Smart in Best Comedy Actress and Hannah Einbinder in Supporting Comedy Actress. The HBO Max series continues to prove its staying power in the competitive comedy landscape.
Black Mirror Season 7 earned 10 nominations, including a nod for Rashida Jones for her performance in the episode “Common People”. The anthology series remains a consistent Emmy favorite, proving that Charlie Brooker’s dark vision continues to resonate with voters.
Nobody Wants This, the romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, surprised many by earning nominations in the Best Comedy Series category along with Lead Actor and Actress nominations for its stars. The show’s inclusion proves that fresh, feel-good content can break through in competitive categories.
Supporting Actor Categories: Tramell Tillman and Michael Urie Make Their Mark
Harrison Ford and Michael Urie Emmy nominees celebration
The Emmy nominations 2025 brought exciting news for several supporting actors who’ve been building buzz throughout the awards season. Tramell Tillman earned his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his mysterious and captivating performance as Seth Milchick in Severance. If Tillman wins, he would make history as the first Black actor to win in this category in the Emmy’s 77-year history.
Michael Urie also scored his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Brian in Apple TV+’s Shrinking. The actor expressed his excitement on social media, calling himself “the luckiest actor on the planet” and sharing sweet congratulatory texts from his co-star Harrison Ford. Both Urie and Ford are competing in the same category, with Ford earning his first-ever Emmy nomination at age 82 for his work in Shrinking.
Major Surprises That Nobody Saw Coming
The Emmy nominations 2025 delivered several shocking surprises that have entertainment industry insiders buzzing. Harrison Ford receiving his first Emmy nomination at 82 years old for Shrinking stands as one of the year’s most heartwarming stories. Ford’s nomination proves that it’s never too late to explore new creative territories.
Uzo Aduba surprised everyone by earning a Best Comedy Actress nomination for The Residence, despite Netflix canceling the show after just one season. Her inclusion over more expected nominees like Selena Gomez shows that Emmy voters sometimes reward individual performances over series success.
The Pitt emerged as an unexpected drama contender, earning more nominations than many predicted and positioning itself as a potential dark horse in major categories. The medical drama’s strong showing demonstrates that traditional broadcast-style shows can still compete in the streaming era.
Devastating Snubs That Left Fans Heartbroken
Not everyone celebrated on nomination morning, as the Emmy nominations 2025 delivered some crushing disappointments. Squid Game Season 2, despite the show’s previous Emmy success, was completely shut out of major categories. The Korean series, which won multiple Emmys in its first season, failed to capture voters’ attention for its sophomore effort.
Elisabeth Moss didn’t receive a nomination for the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, marking a surprising end to her Emmy journey with the series. After multiple nominations and one win for the show, Moss’s exclusion felt particularly shocking given the series’ conclusion.
Diego Luna was notably absent from the Best Drama Actor category for his powerful work in Andor, despite the Star Wars series earning 14 technical nominations. Many expected Luna’s grounding performance as the rebel fighter to earn recognition, making his snub particularly disappointing for fans.
Selena Gomez, who received her first acting nomination last year for Only Murders in the Building, was left out this year despite the show’s continued success. Her exclusion surprised many who expected her to build on her previous recognition.
What This Means for the September 14th Ceremony
With comedian Nate Bargatze set to host the Emmy Awards 2025 on Sunday, September 14th, the ceremony promises to be both entertaining and unpredictable. Bargatze, known for his family-friendly comedy style, will guide audiences through what could be one of the most competitive Emmy races in recent memory.
The diversity of nominees across different platforms – from Apple TV+ to HBO Max to Netflix – reflects the current state of television where streaming services continue to challenge traditional networks. The Emmy nominations 2025 showcase how the industry has evolved, with newer platforms like Apple TV+ proving they can compete at the highest levels.
Looking Ahead to Emmy Night
As we countdown to the Emmy Awards 2025, several races appear wide open. Will Severance translate its 27 nominations into major wins? Can The Studio pull off a first-season upset in comedy categories? Will veteran performers like Harrison Ford finally claim their first Emmy victories?
The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ starting at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on September 14th. With Creative Arts Emmys taking place September 6-7, the television industry’s biggest celebration is shaping up to be unmissable.
The Emmy nominations 2025 have set the stage for an unforgettable night that celebrates both established excellence and emerging talent. From Tramell Tillman’s historic potential win to Michael Urie’s well-deserved recognition, this year’s ceremony promises moments that will define television’s current golden age.
Ready to watch your favorite shows compete for television’s biggest prize? Mark your calendars for September 14th and get ready for an Emmy night that could rewrite the record books. Stay tuned to MoviesMedia for all the latest updates, red carpet coverage, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from the Emmy Awards 2025!
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