Emmys 2025: Prestige, Powerhouses, and Shocking Snubs Define This Year&rsquo;s Race
In what is being hailed as one of the most competitive Emmy seasons in recent history, the 2025 Emmy Awards nominations have been unveiled and Apple TV+ is having its moment. The tech giant turned streaming powerhouse has pulled in a wave of critical recognition, with its flagship psychological drama&nbsp;Severance leading the pack with an astonishing 27 nominations.
This dark, genre bending workplace thriller has captivated audiences and critics alike, and its presence across categories from Best Drama Series to technical awards cements its status as a cultural phenomenon. The show&rsquo;s intense narrative, paired with standout performances and a haunting score, appears to have struck a chord with the Television Academy.
Following closely behind is The Penguin, the gritty Batman spinoff from HBO, which racked up 24 nominations, thanks to Colin Farrell&rsquo;s transformative lead performance and the show&rsquo;s brooding, noir atmosphere. HBO continues to prove its might in the drama space, but it's facing tough competition this year from new players, especially Apple.
Meanwhile, Apple TV+&rsquo;s The Studio, a razor-sharp comedy set inside a dysfunctional film production house, stunned industry observers by securing 23 nominations, making it the most nominated freshman comedy in Emmy history. The show&rsquo;s blend of wit, satire, and heartfelt emotion has clearly paid off, and could signal a shift in where high quality comedy is being made.
Another standout for Apple is Shrinking, the dramedy starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. The series pulled in seven nominations, including Ford&rsquo;s first-ever Emmy nod, which many see as a long overdue recognition of his television pivot.
Netflix didn&rsquo;t go unnoticed either. Its coming of age limited series&nbsp;Adolescence scored 13 nominations, a respectable tally that includes a history making nod for 15 year old Owen Cooper, now the youngest acting nominee ever in Emmy history. Cooper&rsquo;s nuanced portrayal of a troubled teen navigating trauma has drawn comparisons to Timoth&eacute;e Chalamet and Jacob Tremblay in their early roles.
Yet, for every celebration, there were also gasps. Notably absent from major categories was Squid Game, Netflix&rsquo;s global hit, which shockingly failed to earn a single nomination. The buzzworthy show, which had dominated conversations during its debut, now finds itself on the sidelines.
Another eyebrow raising omission came in the form of&nbsp;The Handmaid&rsquo;s Tale. Despite years of consistent nominations, the dystopian drama walked away with just one nod for a guest performance, signaling a cooling of the Academy&rsquo;s once-fiery enthusiasm for the show.
Among other surprises: Only Murders in the Building underperformed relative to expectations, while sleeper hits like Bear Season and Dissonance smaller cable shows snuck into technical and writing categories, hinting at a broader diversity of content now being recognized.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled for September 14, 2025, at Los Angeles&rsquo; Peacock Theater. Comedian Nate Bargatze will host the ceremony, bringing his signature Southern charm and observational wit to the prestigious stage.
With Apple TV+ challenging HBO&rsquo;s long-standing dominance, newcomers breaking records, and veterans being snubbed, the 2025 Emmy Awards are already setting the stage for one of the most exciting ceremonies in recent memory. Whether this marks the beginning of a new era in television or just a passing reshuffle one thing is clear: the small screen has never looked more cinematic, diverse, or unpredictable.

Severance Tops 2025 Emmy Nods with 27 Nominations

Apple TV+ shines as Severance, The Studio, and The Penguin dominate Emmy 2025 nominations

Severance Tops 2025 Emmy Nods with 27 Nominations

Apple TV+ shines as Severance, The Studio, and The Penguin dominate Emmy 2025 nominations

July 16, 2025 | 20:10 IST