Emmys 2025: Snubs, surprises and the rise of The Studio
The 2025 Emmys mixed celebration and controversy, as surprise winners, snubs for favourites like Kathy Bates and Colin Farrell, and Nate Bargatze's uneven hosting dominated headlines
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, proved to be a night of shocks, triumphs and more than a few awkward moments. From surprise winners to glaring omissions, the ceremony left viewers debating long after the final award was handed out. But above all, it was Apple TV+'s Hollywood satire 'The Studio' that reigned supreme, collecting a record-breaking 13 trophies across the Primetime and Creative Arts ceremonies.
While HBO's 'The White Lotus' came into the ceremony tied with 'Severance' for the most nominations (10 each), it left empty-handed. The ensemble cast, widely tipped for supporting actor and actress wins, ended up cancelling each other out. Katherine LaNasa of 'The Pitt' pulled off one of the night's biggest surprises by snatching the supporting actress in a drama.
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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's inside-Hollywood comedy entered the Emmys with strong momentum, having already bagged nine Creative Arts awards earlier in September. On the main night, it added four more: outstanding comedy series, lead actor in a comedy for Rogen, comedy writing and comedy directing.
The sweep made The Studio the most-awarded freshman comedy in Emmy history. Rogen, who also directed alongside Goldberg, tied the record for most Emmys won by a single individual in one night, joining names such as Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Levy.
While HBO's 'The White Lotus' came into the ceremony tied with 'Severance' for the most nominations (10 each), it left empty-handed. The ensemble cast, widely tipped for supporting actor and actress wins, ended up cancelling each other out. Katherine LaNasa of 'The Pitt' pulled off one of the night's biggest surprises by snatching the supporting actress in a drama.
The Pitt went on to claim the ultimate prize: best drama series. Noah Wyle triumphed as best lead actor in a drama, further cementing the show's position as HBO's newest prestige hit.
Meanwhile, Severance had a stronger evening, with Britt Lower beating veteran Kathy Bates (Matlock) to win best lead actress in a drama. Tramell Tillman also scored as a supporting actor in a drama, while Adam Randall earned the directing trophy for Apple TV+'s 'Slow Horses'.
Netflix's drama 'Adolescence' emerged as a powerhouse in the limited series categories, scooping eight awards. Stephen Graham not only co-created the series but also won the award for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series.
Co-stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty also picked up supporting actor and actress trophies, respectively, while the writing team of Graham and Jack Thorne was honoured with the award for best writing. The show capped its run with the coveted best limited series prize.
HBO's 'The Penguin' had been expected to carry Colin Farrell to a lead actor win, but he lost out to Graham. The series, however, still picked up nine Emmys overall, including a Primetime win for Cristin Milioti as lead actress in a limited series.
Farrell's omission was one of the night's biggest talking points, especially as his co-star's victory underscored the show's broader success.
Beyond The Studio's sweep, the comedy categories produced heartwarming moments. Jeff Hiller, little-known outside of his show 'Somebody Somewhere', delivered an emotional speech after winning best supporting actor in a comedy. Jean Smart added another accolade to her career with a win for 'Hacks', while Hannah Einbinder was recognised for supporting actress in the same series.
Kathy Bates' loss for Matlock stood out as one of the evening's biggest snubs. With a career spanning decades and a performance many felt was tailor-made for Emmy recognition, her defeat to Britt Lower shocked both fans and pundits.
Another odd omission was the lack of show clips during the broadcast. Traditionally, highlight reels give audiences a taste of the nominated performances, but this year's ceremony relied on presenter banter and descriptions instead.
There were also complaints about name mispronunciations, from Jason Bateman bungling Tramell Tillman's name to Bargatze stumbling over musical guests Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.
Also, host Nate Bargatze's running gag about deducting money from a $100,000 donation to the 'Boys and Girls Club' whenever speeches ran long quickly turned awkward. By midway through the show, the tally had dipped into the negative, drawing criticism online. CBS and Bargatze eventually pledged $350,000 to the charity, salvaging the bit.
Bargatze also struggled with timing, leaving some wondering whether his jokes were under-rehearsed. An abandoned denim suit gag aimed at Sydney Sweeney fell flat, adding to the uncertainty of his performance.
In the end, the 2025 Emmys will be remembered for The Studio's record-setting sweep, the rise of The Pitt and Adolescence, and the rare sight of The White Lotus going home empty-handed. The blend of triumphs, upsets and awkward moments ensured that this year's ceremony will remain one of the more memorable and debated in recent Emmy history.
