5 Big Takeaways from the 2025 Emmy Nominations
The 2025 Emmy Awards nominations are in, and they’ve stirred up plenty of buzz ahead of the September 14 ceremony. From major wins for ensemble casts to eyebrow-raising snubs and surprises, this year’s list reflects both evolving industry trends and fan favorites.
Here are five standout takeaways from this year’s Emmy race.
Severance and The Studio Dominate with Star-Packed Casts
Apple TV+ had a strong showing across both drama and comedy categories. Severance leads all shows with 27 nominations, including 9 acting nods. On the comedy side, The Studio picked up 23 nominations—10 of those for its cast. That includes a sweep in the guest actor categories. The takeaway? Shows with large, well-respected ensembles have a clear edge.
Supporting Comedy Surprises: Harrison Ford and Jeff Hiller
The supporting actor in a comedy series category delivered some surprises. Harrison Ford received his first-ever Emmy nomination for his role in Shrinking. Meanwhile, Somebody Somewhere finally earned long-overdue recognition with a nod for Jeff Hiller, praised for his heartfelt performance as Joel. The show also landed a writing nomination, its first.
Streaming Giants Shuffle the Spotlight
While Netflix and Hulu remain strong players, newer platforms are holding their own. Apple TV+ scored big with Severance, The Studio, Slow Horses, and Shrinking. HBO’s presence continues with The White Lotus and The Last of Us, while Max-exclusive shows like The Pitt and Hacks also broke through. Disney+ made waves with Andor earning 14 nominations. Meanwhile, Hulu’s standout was Only Murders in the Building—though it faced stiff competition from rising newcomers.
Snubs That Sparked Reactions
It wouldn’t be the Emmys without a few notable absences. Squid Game was completely shut out, despite buzz around its second season. Alfonso Cuarón’s thriller Disclaimer missed out, as did its star Kevin Kline. The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale didn’t receive any major nominations, including a surprising miss for Elisabeth Moss. Another upset: Diego Luna and the Andor cast were left off the list despite the show’s critical acclaim.
Welcome Surprises: Uzo Aduba and Animated Underdogs
Netflix’s short-lived comedy The Residence landed Uzo Aduba a lead actress nomination, despite its quiet cancellation. The Adult Swim series Common Side Effects shocked many by nabbing a best animated program nod, over popular picks like Big Mouth and Invincible. And while Somebody Somewhere never got much Emmy love before, its late-game recognition feels especially rewarding for fans.
More…
