The 2025 Emmy nominations dropped on July 15, and wow, what a lineup! This year’s race for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, set to air on September 14, is packed with fresh faces, record-breaking moments, and some jaw-dropping snubs. From Apple TV+ dominating the field to a 15-year-old Brit stealing the spotlight, here’s a rundown of the biggest stories from the 2025 Emmy nominations.
Table of Contents
Severance and The Studio Lead the Pack
Apple TV+ is having a moment, and it’s a big one. The psychological thriller Severance snagged a whopping 27 nominations, making it the top contender this year. With its mind-bending storytelling and stellar performances from Adam Scott and Britt Lower, it’s no surprise the show’s up for Outstanding Drama Series. Meanwhile, The Studio, a Hollywood satire starring Seth Rogen, tied with HBO’s The White Lotus for 23 nominations, matching the record set by The Bear in 2024 for the most comedy noms in a single year. The Studio is a freshman series, so this is a huge deal—talk about bursting onto the scene! HBO’s The Penguin wasn’t far behind with 24 nods, proving that gritty crime dramas still have a place in voters’ hearts.
History-Making Nominees Steal the Spotlight
This year’s nominations are all about breaking records. At just 15, British actor Owen Cooper made history as one of the youngest Emmy nominees ever for his role as Jamie in Netflix’s Adolescence. Playing a 13-year-old suspected of murder, Cooper’s gripping performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor nod in the limited series category. If he wins, he’ll be the youngest male to ever take home an acting Emmy. On the other end of the spectrum, Kathy Bates, at 77, became the oldest woman nominated for Lead Drama Actress for her role in Matlock. And let’s not forget Harrison Ford, who, at 83, scored his first-ever Emmy nod for playing a grumpy therapist in Shrinking. Oh, and Martin Scorsese? Yep, the legendary director got his first acting nomination for playing himself in The Studio. Talk about a star-studded year
Queer Talent and Diversity Shine Bright
The 2025 nominations are a celebration of diversity, with queer stars and stories front and center. RuPaul made history as the most-nominated reality host ever for RuPaul’s Drag Race, while Bella Ramsey’s nomination for The Last of Us added to the queer representation. The nominations show that diverse voices are driving TV forward, despite some political pushback in other spheres. Netflix’s Adolescence also scored 13 nominations, including nods for Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, highlighting how international talent is making waves. It’s a reminder that great storytelling knows no boundaries, and the Emmys are recognizing that loud and clear.
Snubs and Surprises Stir the Pot
Of course, no Emmy season is complete without some head-scratching snubs. Squid Game Season 2 got completely shut out, despite its first season racking up 14 nominations in 2022. Fans are also bummed that Diego Luna missed out on a nod for Andor, even though the show itself scored 14 nominations, including Best Drama. Selena Gomez didn’t make the cut for Only Murders in the Building after last year’s nomination, and The Voice was left out of the reality competition category for the first time since 2012. On the flip side, Survivor made a comeback in the Best Reality Competition category, and Paradise surprised everyone with more nominations than expected. The Emmys always keep us guessing
As we gear up for the ceremony hosted by Nate Bargatze on CBS and Paramount+, the 2025 Emmys are shaping up to be a battle of heavyweights and underdogs. Whether it’s Severance’s mind-twisting drama, The Studio’s sharp comedy, or Adolescence’s emotional punch, this year’s nominees prove TV is as vibrant as ever. Who’re you rooting for?