The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are gearing up to celebrate another year of outstanding television, with nominations announced today in Los Angeles. The ceremony, set to air live on CBS and Paramount+ on September 14, 2025, will be hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze and promises to be a star-studded event.
This year’s nominations feature a mix of returning favorites and exciting newcomers, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of prestige TV. Below, we break down the major categories, surprise snubs, and frontrunners to watch.
How Were the 2025 Emmy Nominations Announced?
Actors Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) and Brenda Song (Running Point) revealed the nominees live at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT from Los Angeles.
Earlier in the day, the Television Academy also announced the nominees for Outstanding Talk Series and Reality Competition Program, setting the stage for the full list.
2025 Emmy Nominations: Key Categories and Nominees
Drama Series
- The White Lotus (HBO)
- Severance (Apple TV+)
- Paradise (Netflix) – Newcomer
- The Pitt (Max) – Newcomer
- Succession (HBO)
Why it matters: The White Lotus and Severance return as strong contenders, while Paradise and The Pitt shake up the category with fresh narratives.
Comedy Series
- Abbott Elementary (ABC)
- The Bear (FX)
- Hacks (Max)
- The Studio (Hulu) – Newcomer
- Nobody Wants This (Netflix) – Newcomer
Takeaway: The Bear and Hacks remain Emmy darlings, but The Studio and Nobody Wants This could disrupt the race.
Limited Series
- Adolescence (HBO)
- True Detective: Night Country (HBO)
- Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix)
Notable omission: Fargo (FX), despite critical acclaim, was left out.
Lead Actor in a Drama
- Jeremy Strong (Succession)
- Adam Scott (Severance)
- Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
Snub: Kieran Culkin (Succession) missed the cut, surprising fans.
Lead Actress in a Drama
- Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus)
- Emma Stone (The Curse)
- Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)
Dark horse: Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa) could be a surprise winner.
Early Winners: Talk and Reality Categories
Ahead of the main nominations, the Television Academy revealed winners in two key categories:
Outstanding Talk Series
- The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Why it’s notable: The Daily Show continues its Emmy dominance, even amid host changes.
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
- RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV)
- The Amazing Race (CBS)
- Survivor (CBS)
- Top Chef (Bravo)
- The Traitors (Peacock)
Trend to watch: The Traitors, a breakout hit, could challenge RuPaul’s reign.
Biggest Snubs and Surprises
✅ Surprise inclusion: The Studio (Hulu) in Comedy Series—a sleeper hit.
❌ Shocking snub: Better Call Saul (AMC) completely shut out in its final season.
🔥 Dark horse: Adolescence (HBO) could dominate Limited Series.
What’s Next? Mark Your Calendars
- When? September 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.
- Host: Nate Bargatze, bringing his deadpan humor to the stage.
- Predictions: The Bear and The White Lotus are early favorites, but upsets are possible.
Final Thoughts: A Competitive Year Ahead
This year’s Emmy race is one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, with fresh faces challenging established powerhouses. Will The Bear sweep again? Can Adolescence pull off an upset? Tune in on September 14 to find out.
