Gotham TV Awards 2025: Adolescence Sweeps Limited Series Categories in Major Victory for Netflix

The 2025 Gotham TV Awards brought surprise victories and well-deserved honors across the television industry, with Netflix’s Adolescence dominating the limited series categories. The annual ceremony, now in its second year as a standalone event aligned with the Emmy calendar, showcased the rising impact of prestige television and honored standout performances across all genres.

Adolescence Leads the Night With Three Wins

Netflix’s Adolescence emerged as the breakout winner, converting three of its four nominations into wins. The limited series, which explores the emotional aftermath of a teenage boy accused of murder, won:

• Breakthrough Limited Series

• Breakthrough Lead Performance in a Limited Series – Stephen Graham

• Breakthrough Supporting Performance in a Limited Series – Owen Cooper, in a tie with Jenny Slate from Dying for Sex

The show’s fourth nomination went to Erin Doherty for her powerful supporting role. The compelling performances and intense storytelling made Adolescence a standout in a highly competitive year.

Comedy and Drama Winners: The Studio and The Pitt

Apple TV+’s The Studio clinched the Breakthrough Comedy Series award, recognizing its sharp writing and creative vision. Meanwhile, The Pitt from HBO Max secured the Breakthrough Drama Series title, further solidifying HBO’s dominance in delivering high-impact dramas.

In individual acting categories, Julio Torres took home Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series for his work in Fantasmas, while Poorna Jagannathan earned the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series award for Deli Boys.

Drama Performances Take Center Stage

Veteran actress Kathy Bates won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series for her role in Matlock, continuing her award-season momentum after a Critics Choice win earlier this year. Ben Whishaw earned the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series award for his nuanced role in Black Doves.

Recognition for Original Films and Nonfiction

HBO Max’s Pee-wee as Himself won Outstanding Original Film, while Aaron Pierre was awarded Best Performance in an Original Film for Rebel Ridge. The nonfiction category saw Social Studies win Breakthrough Nonfiction Series, spotlighting the growing strength of documentary storytelling in streaming formats.

Special Tributes and Industry Recognition

The Gotham Awards also presented several tributes honoring influential creators and performers:

• Creator Tributes: Hwang Dong-Hyuk (Squid Game), Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino (Étoile)

• Ensemble Tribute: Cast of The Handmaid’s Tale

• Performer Tribute: Brian Tyree Henry

• Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute: Sheryl Lee Ralph

• Visionary Tribute: David E. Kelley

• Legend Tribute: Parker Posey

Posey was introduced by White Lotus costars Leslie Bibb and Sam Rockwell and expressed gratitude to creator Mike White and HBO for trusting her with a complex, middle-aged character.

A Jury-Driven Awards Show with Industry Buzz

While the Gotham Awards provide valuable insight into rising television talent, it’s important to note that winners are selected by small juries of four to five individuals, and the acting categories are not separated by gender. As such, they may not always align with the larger Emmy or mainstream award trends.

Still, with top Gotham winners like Adolescence, The Studio, and The Pitt ranking high in Gold Derby’s Emmy predictions, the buzz around these shows is undeniable.