The nominations are in for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, and the list is a sprawling celebration of prestige TV, fan-favourite dramas, sharp comedies, and some eyebrow-raising surprises. With traditional networks largely sidelined, streaming platforms once again dominate the field, as new titles jostle with returning favourites across major categories.
Leading the nominations this year is Apple TV+’s mind-bending workplace thriller ‘Severance’, which landed a massive 27 nominations, including acting, writing, directing, and a slew of technical nods. Close behind is HBO’s dark and stylish DC crime saga ‘The Penguin’, with 24 nominations, and the satirical industry comedy ‘The Studio’, also from Apple, which grabbed 23.
Streaming Giants Rule The Field (Again)
The Emmys have long since become a streaming battleground, and 2025 is no exception. HBO and Max top the network leaderboard with 142 nominations, followed by Netflix with 120, and Apple TV+ continuing its rise with 79.
Other platforms fared well too: FX on Hulu picked up 35, Hulu took 23 on its own, Peacock managed 19, and Disney+ came in with 28, buoyed by shows like Andor, The Acolyte, and Agatha All Along.
But traditional broadcasters were noticeably quieter. ABC scraped together 37, CBS earned 26, and NBC had 29. It’s yet another sign that the prestige TV landscape continues to shift away from the big four.
Drama: Intrigue, Dystopia, and High-Stakes Politics
The race for Outstanding Drama Series is stacked with heavyweights. Alongside Severance, HBO’s The White Lotus and The Pitt, Disney’s Andor, and Netflix’s The Diplomat all made the cut. Newcomer Paradise (Hulu) and returning spy series Slow Horses (Apple) round out the field.
Pedro Pascal is once again nominated for ‘The Last of Us’, which scored 16 nominations, including acting nods for both Pascal and Bella Ramsey. HBO’s adaptation of the iconic video game continues to impress, not just as a genre standout, but as a dramatic powerhouse.
Also in the spotlight is Apple’s Slow Horses, with Gary Oldman nominated for his portrayal of the wonderfully gruff Jackson Lamb. It’s a rare win for British drama in a largely American field.
Comedy: Culinary Chaos Meets Studio Shenanigans
The Outstanding Comedy Series race is a fierce one, with FX’s ‘The Bear’ returning strong with 13 nominations, including a repeat nod for Jeremy Allen White. Apple’s ‘The Studio’, a sharp satire of the Hollywood machine, pulled in a stunning 23 nominations, including acting nods for Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, and Kathryn Hahn.
Other contenders include Netflix’s ‘Nobody Wants This’, ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary’, returning favourite ‘Hacks’, and the ever-murderous ‘Only Murders In The Building’ on Hulu.
Kristen Bell and Adam Brody were both recognised for their roles in Nobody Wants This, a self-aware jab at fame culture. Meanwhile, Apple’s Shrinking continues to gain momentum with 7 nominations, including nods for Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, and Jessica Williams.
Limited Series: Big Names, Big Drama
Limited series continue to attract A-listers and some of the most daring writing on television. The nominees for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series include:
- ‘Adolescence’ (Netflix) – A powerful British drama starring Stephen Graham, with a dark, intimate story that resonated across the board. It earned 13 nominations.
- ‘The Penguin’ (HBO/Max) – Colin Farrell’s transformation into Gotham’s crime lord earned nominations in almost every category imaginable, from acting to prosthetics.
- ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ (Netflix) – The latest entry in Ryan Murphy’s anthology true crime series, with Cooper Koch and Javier Bardem leading a chilling cast.
- ‘Dying for Sex’ (FX on Hulu) – A boundary-pushing blend of dark comedy and emotion, featuring Michelle Williams and Rob Delaney.
- ‘Black Mirror’ (Netflix) – Returning to the fray with 10 nominations, including nods for writing, direction, and performances from Rashida Jones and others.
UK Highlights: Smaller Footprint, Strong Talent
While British shows aren’t as dominant as in past years, there are still some excellent wins for UK talent:
- ‘Adolescence’, a true British production, secured 13 nominations, including acting nods for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Ashley Walters.
- ‘Slow Horses’ brought in 5 nominations for Apple, including directing and acting for Gary Oldman.
- David Attenborough was once again recognised in the Outstanding Narrator category for his work on Planet Earth: Asia.
Creative, Technical and Variety Standouts
Among the technical categories, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Dune: Prophecy, and Andor racked up big numbers in sound, visual effects, and production design.
Meanwhile, variety and live programming offered surprises:
- ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ and its companion ‘Homecoming Concert’ earned a combined 18 nominations.
- ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ picked up 8 nominations, including for Reality Competition Program and Hosting.
- ‘The Daily Show’ with Jon Stewart returned strong with 8 nominations, including for writing and editing.
And Finally… The Game Show Surge
Yes, even game shows are getting Emmy love. ‘Jeopardy!’, ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’, and ‘Celebrity Family Feud’ are among the nominees for Outstanding Game Show, a reminder that not everything needs dragons or dystopia to earn acclaim.
‘The 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards‘ are scheduled to broadcast on CBS in the USA on September 14, 2025, at 6pm. There is currently on confirmed UK broadcaster.
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