The Emmy Awards 2025 set the tone for red carpets, surprises, and historical moments like no other. From record-breaking awards to long-awaited achievements by fans, the ceremony this year delivered for both drama fans and comedy nerds alike and then some. Simply put, whether you love prestige television, limited series excitement, or variety specials on any given day, the evening at the Emmy Awards was one you would not forget.
- The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on September 14, 2025, in the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
- The Creative Arts Emmys took place prior to the awards, September 6-7, for the technical and artistic awards.
- The master of ceremonies was comedian Nate Bargatze. His humor, pacing, and even charitable twists were a fresh new style.
- The show was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. Notable exclamation-worthy red carpet teasers: major stars arriving dressed not at all understated, and also sneering comments.
Notable red-carpet teasers: major stars showing up in bold fashion (some criticized, some praised), surprise presenters, and a palpable buzz around who might finally break through in categories long dominated by the same names.
Emmy Awards Categories & Winners
Here are the Emmy Awards 2025 winners in the biggest categories—with commentary on what made each win special.
Best Series Categories (Emmy Awards)
- Outstanding Drama Series—The Pitt (Winner)
The Pitt claimed the top drama prize, fending off stiff competition like Severance, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus. It was a moment that cemented its status as a major player in prestige TV
- Outstanding Comedy Series—The Studio (Winner)
The Studio not only won Best Comedy Series but also broke records—becoming the most awarded comedy in a single season at the Emmys.
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series—Adolescence (Winner)
Netflix’s Adolescence dominated this category, earning awards across acting, writing, and directing—one of the most broadly successful limited series of the night.
Best Lead Actor/Actress (Emmy Awards)
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series—Noah Wyle from The Pitt
A first Emmy win for Wyle, after many nominations and years; his role’s gravitas and the show’s serious tone resonated strongly.
- Lead Actress in a Drama Series—Britt Lower in Severance
Lower has been critically admired, and this win adds a deserved centerpiece to her resume. Her performance stood out in a genre heavy on visual and conceptual spectacle.
- Lead Actor in a Comedy Series—Seth Rogen in The Studio
A multi-faceted win—Rogen not only led his show to victory but also picked up personal accolades. It underscores how comedy is seen now as a serious craft.
- Lead Actress in a Comedy Series—Jean Smart in Hacks
Another win for a veteran; Smart continues to win Emmy love (this is expected by many, but still celebratory)
- Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie —Stephen Graham in Adolescence
Graham’s layered performance in Adolescence helped carry its dramatic weight. Critics said it was one of the emotional cores of the season.
- Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie —Cristin Milioti in The Penguin
This win was a breakthrough for Milioti, who delivered an intense, unforgettable performance and made history as a first-time nominee.
Best Supporting Roles (Emmy Awards)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series—Tramell Tillman in Severance
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series—Katherine LaNasa in The Pitt
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series—Jeff Hiller in Somebody Somewhere
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series—Hannah Einbinder in Hacks
Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie—Owen Cooper in Adolescence
Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie—Erin Doherty in Adolescence
Directing & Writing Awards (Major)
Adolescence won in directing and writing for limited or anthology series. Those wins were indicative of how its storytelling structure and execution let the show rocket into a critical darling. The studio also had writing and directing accolades in the comedy category. Its voice and style were recognized not only for the acting but also for how it came together as a whole.
Other Notable Categories
- Variety / Talk / Reality / Special Categories:
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won Best Scripted Variety Series and Writing for a Variety Series.
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Talk Series.
- The Traitors took the prize for Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
- SNL 50: The Anniversary Special won Best Variety Special.
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won Best Scripted Variety Series and Writing for a Variety Series.
Guest Acting & Other Awards: Some powerful guest performances and technical wins (costume, music, etc.) were celebrated. For example, Theodore Shapiro won for Outstanding Music Composition for Severance.
Programs with multiple awards include The Penguin (9), Adolescence (8), Severance (8), SNL50: The Anniversary Special (8), Andor (5), The Pitt (5), The Traitors (5) etc
Breakout Moments & Surprises
- Record-breaking night for The Studio: It amassed 13 Emmy Awards in total (including Creative Arts), making it the most awarded comedy series in a single season.
- Youngest winner: 15-year-old Owen Cooper won Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for Adolescence, becoming one of the youngest Emmy winners ever.
- First Emmys/long-awaited wins:
- Noah Wyle won his first Emmy for The Pitt after years of nominations.
- Cristin Milioti won for The Penguin in her first Emmy nomination.
- Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere), Katherine LaNasa, and Hannah Einbinder—all took first Emmys.
- Noah Wyle won his first Emmy for The Pitt after years of nominations.
- Snubs: Some expected contenders came up short. For instance, Severance had been leading in nominations but didn’t take Best Drama Series.
Red Carpet & Celebrity Highlights at Emmy Awards
- Numerous celebrities leveraged the red carpet to convey specific messages—not only featuring a desire to be on your best behavior but also messages related to humanitarian and political issues.
- There were a number of moments of bold fashion incorporating avant-garde costumes, those that were unexpected color choices, and radical designers—the audience seemed to love some but scale back the commentary when it came to some of the fashion critiques.
- And of course, then there were the presenters who provided surprise moments across the board—from guest stars, tributes, and lighthearted bits contributed to keeping the spirit of the night from being too formal. Nate Bargatze’s approach to hosting drew attention, not because of his jokes, but also their pacing, and also for incorporating some charity (reportedly raising money during the long speeches). Moreover, it struck the perfect balance of nostalgia and humor.
Star of the Night at the Emmys Awards
At the 2025 Emmy Awards, one of the biggest talking points was Owen Cooper, 15 years old (one of the Emmy Awards 2025 winners), the youthful breakout star from Adolescence. Roles for kids this emotionally demanding are rare, and Owen had to carry a lot of the show on his shoulders as it added to his emotional performance. Many critics referred to Owen’s performance as “the emotional anchor” of Adolescence. His performance also sparked discussions about how young people are treated in the justice system, which made this series not merely entertainment but also engaging conversation.
Owen Cooper’s Jamie wasn’t just a supporting role—he was the heart of the series. That’s why when he won, it felt like the most natural and deserved outcome, cementing him as the “star of the Emmy Awards 2025.
Audience & Social Media Reactions
- Trending moments:
- Owen Cooper’s victory was talked about by many, for both his age and the performance.
- Cristin Milioti’s acceptance speech, part of which she read from notes on the back of her therapy papers, connected with so many that it received more than a few accolades for its authentic vulnerability.
- The memes & commentary: Social channels were full of both joyous acclaim (from comedy fans who heralded The Studio’s dominance!!!) and delicious snark (from drama fans awash in disappointment over Severance not winning Best Drama!!!).
- Fan satisfaction: Overall, many felt the Emmy Awards 2025 got the balance right—rewarding both popular hits and artistically ambitious shows. The mix of first-time winners and legacy names added to the satisfaction.
Comparisons with Previous Years’ Emmy Awards
- Shifting powerhouses: Although Severance continued its previous form of heavy nominations and big wins in technical/acting categories in past Emmys, it did not win the top prize this year. The Studio, on the other hand, definitely elevated comedy with how it’s changing the narrative of winning with a comedy.
- Limited/Limited-Series Boom: Since Adolescence’s success, it seems clear that limited and anthological series are still viable storytelling platforms—like in past years, as seen in other limited/anthological series, and now with more risk-taking and youth representation—but it is not clear whether these programs for reflection and advancement will not be flatlined.
- First-time winners more common:A number of individuals won their first Emmys this year; this is more frequent than just a few years ago, showing that the industry’s recognition is getting broader and perhaps more willing to elevate newer or less visible work.
- Technical and Creative Arts weight: Programs like The Studio can be credited with prominent, creative work (directing, writing, music, and design). The Emmys continue to demonstrate that what happens behind the camera contributes to the success of a program receiving awards. A creative, behind-the-camera approach continues to take away the notion that a big story was lacking, but The Studio was elaborative and presented compelling enough ideas to win big.
The Emmy Awards 2025 showed us why we appreciate television, the art, the craft, the surprises, and the voices, both old and new. The Pitt winning Best Drama and The Studio rewriting comedy—these Emmys not only celebrated the previous seasons but also showed what’s coming next. Television is changing, stars are changing, stories are changing, and audiences are changing.
Once you’ve caught up on the Emmy Awards 2025 winners, don’t miss our list of the best OTT series to stream this October for your next binge!
