Apple TV+ dominates 2025 Emmy race with "Severance" leading at 27 nominations and "The Studio" setting freshman comedy record with 23 nods.
The television landscape shifted dramatically on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as the Television Academy unveiled the nominees for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. In a stunning display of streaming supremacy, Apple TV+'s "Severance" emerged as the most-nominated series with 27 nominations, while "The Studio" made history with 23 nominations as the most-nominated freshman comedy series ever.
The announcements, delivered by actors Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song, painted a clear picture of how streaming platforms continue to reshape the Emmy race. With Apple TV+ earning a record-breaking 81 Emmy nominations across 14 titles, the tech giant has positioned itself as a major force in prestige television.
Apple TV+ Dominates the Competition
"The Studio" shattered records by receiving the most nominations ever for a comedy series in its first season, surpassing the previous record of 20 set by Apple TV+'s own "Ted Lasso" in 2021. The series, starring and executive produced by Seth Rogen, earned nominations across major categories including Outstanding Comedy Series, with Rogen himself receiving four individual nominations for acting, writing, and directing.
Apple TV+ became the only network to have multiple titles nominated in both Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories, with "Severance" and "Slow Horses" competing in drama, while "The Studio" and "Shrinking" represent the platform in comedy.
The psychological thriller "Severance," which explores themes of work-life balance through a dystopian lens, received nine acting nominations alone. Lead actors Adam Scott and Britt Lower both earned nominations for their compelling performances in the Apple TV+ hit.
Streaming Giants Battle for Emmy Supremacy
While Apple TV+ celebrated its breakthrough moment, traditional streaming powers maintained strong showings. HBO Max reclaimed the Emmy crown with a record 142 nominations across 20 titles, marking a massive jump from last year's 91 nominations.
HBO's "The Penguin" followed closely behind with 24 nominations, while "The White Lotus" season 3 tied with "The Studio" at 23 nominations each. The crime drama "The Penguin," starring Colin Farrell in a transformative performance, brought the actor his first Emmy nomination for television work.
Netflix maintained its competitive edge with 120 nominations, led by the British psychological drama "Adolescence." The series garnered 13 nominations, including a historic nod for 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who became the youngest nominee ever for best supporting actor in a limited/anthology series or movie.
Historic Firsts and Notable Achievements
The 2025 nominations featured several milestone moments that reflect the evolving television landscape. Kathy Bates made history as the oldest nominee for best drama actress at age 77 for her role in CBS's "Matlock," demonstrating that quality television recognizes talent across all age demographics.
Harrison Ford received his first-ever Emmy nomination for his supporting role in Apple TV+'s "Shrinking," proving that even Hollywood legends can find new recognition in the streaming era. The nomination highlights how prestige television continues to attract A-list movie stars to the small screen.
Former President Barack Obama earned his third Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Narrator category for "Our Oceans," having previously won the award twice. His continued presence in the Emmy race demonstrates the increasing importance of documentary storytelling.
Genre Diversity and Unexpected Successes
The nominations revealed interesting trends in genre representation and viewer preferences. Netflix's romantic comedy "Nobody Wants This," starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, made the Best Comedy cut, showing that traditional rom-com storytelling still resonates with audiences and Emmy voters.
ABC's "Abbott Elementary" earned its fourth consecutive nomination for Best Comedy, alongside Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," proving that network television and established streaming hits maintain their relevance in an increasingly crowded field.
The limited series category showcased the power of anthology storytelling, with Netflix's "Black Mirror," HBO's "The Penguin," and the controversial "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" all earning recognition for their distinct approaches to serialized narratives.
Industry Shifts and Streaming Evolution
The significant number of nominations for streaming services highlights the continued shift in the television landscape. Traditional broadcast networks found themselves competing against well-funded streaming platforms that have invested heavily in prestige content and A-list talent.
Apple TV+ demonstrates how a relatively new platform can quickly establish itself in the awards conversation through strategic content investments. The platform's success with both "Severance" and "The Studio" shows that quality storytelling, combined with strong production values and compelling performances, resonates with Emmy voters regardless of the platform's age or market share.
The nominations also reflect changing viewing habits, with eligible series required to premiere between June 2024 and May 2025, capturing a period when streaming competition intensified and production quality across platforms reached new heights.
Looking Ahead to September
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Nate Bargatze serving as host. The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, bringing television's biggest night to audiences across multiple platforms.
As the industry prepares for the September ceremony, the 2025 nominations suggest that streaming platforms have not only found their footing in the Emmy race but are actively reshaping what prestige television looks like. With Apple TV+'s record-breaking performance and the continued strength of established players like HBO Max and Netflix, viewers can expect increasingly sophisticated storytelling and production values across all platforms.
The 2025 Emmy nominations represent more than just recognition for exceptional television—they mark a turning point where streaming platforms have become the primary drivers of innovation and quality in the medium. As audiences continue to embrace diverse content across multiple platforms, the Emmy Awards reflect this evolution, celebrating storytelling that pushes boundaries and captures the cultural zeitgeist.
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