The Television Academy has just dropped the nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, and two series stand head and shoulders above the rest: Apple TV+’s psychological thriller Severance and HBO’s dark crime saga The Penguin. With 27 and 24 nods respectively, these shows will be front and center as the awards ceremony unfolds on September 14 at LA’s Peacock Theater.
Severance: a record-breaking 27 nominations
Severance, the hit Apple TV+ series that explores memory manipulation within a sinister corporate environment, leads the pack with an impressive 27 nominations. Key categories include:
- Outstanding Drama Series – competing against titles such as Andor, The Last of Us and The White Lotus.
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for Adam Scott, whose nuanced performance as Mark balances corporate detachment with hidden emotional stakes.
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for Patricia Arquette, portraying the determined investigator unraveling the company’s secrets.
- Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Drama Series, recognizing the show’s inventive structure and haunting visual style.
Severance’s total matches its reputation as a genre-bending phenomenon that has captivated critics and audiences alike.
The Penguin: 24 nominations for Gotham’s dark turn
HBO’s The Penguin, a gritty spinoff from the cinematic world of The Batman, trails closely with 24 nominations. Highlights include:
- Outstanding Drama Series, marking the character’s leap from major motion picture antagonist to a layered lead.
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for Colin Farrell, who transforms the iconic mob figure into a complex antihero.
- Outstanding Supporting Actor nods for Michael Kelly and John Turturro, adding depth to Penguin’s allegiances and betrayals.
- Production Design and Cinematography, acknowledging the noir atmosphere and immersive cityscapes.
The Penguin’s shared dominance with Severance signals a shift toward darker, morally ambiguous narratives at this year’s Emmys.
Other top nominees rounding out the leading pack
Beyond Severance and The Penguin, the following series earned standout nomination counts:
- The Studio (23 nominations) – a sharp comedy about the movie industry’s power brokers.
- The White Lotus (23 nominations) – HBO’s satirical hotel-set anthology, blending social commentary with dramatic twists.
- The Last of Us (16 nominations) – the post-apocalyptic adaptation that captured hearts with its emotional depth.
Each of these shows reflects the Academy’s appreciation for both high-stakes drama and incisive comedy.
Standout acting contenders
Several high-profile performers scored nominations across categories:
- Harrison Ford – first Emmy nod at age 83, likely for his role in Shrinking or The Full Catastrophe.
- Quinta Brunson – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for her work on Abbott Elementary.
- Jeremy Allen White – lead actor nod in a comedy for The Bear, blending intensity and humor.
- Britt Lower – supporting actress in a drama for her role in Severance.
These nominations underscore the Academy’s eagerness to honour veteran talent and rising stars alike.
Key details: ceremony date, host and broadcast
The 2025 Emmy ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Veteran comedian Nate Bargatze has been tapped as host, promising an evening balanced between laughter and gravitas. Coverage will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+, ensuring global viewers can tune in to see who takes home television’s highest honours.
Nomination announcement event
Earlier today, actors Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song stepped onto the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre stage to reveal the full slate of nominees. They announced every category, setting the stage for heated debates among fans and industry insiders over frontrunners and potential surprises.
What to watch next
As the race intensifies, viewers can stream or catch up on all major nominees:
- Severance (Apple TV+)
- The Penguin (HBO Max)
- The Studio (Apple TV+)
- The White Lotus (HBO)
- The Last of Us (HBO)
Whether you’re drawn to corporate conspiracies, gothic atmospheres, satirical comedies or dystopian sagas, the Emmy shortlist offers something for every taste.