Severance and The Penguin Lead the 2025 Emmy Award Nominations in a Season Full of Surprises
The announcement of the 77th Emmy Award nominations delivered everything fans expected: snubs, surprises, and a parade of guest stars from The Studio!
However, as any awards enthusiast knows, revealing the nominations marks not the end but the beginning of a new journey.
Here at Gold Derby, we have closely followed plot developments throughout the For Your Consideration (FYC) season, and now, with the nominations confirmed, the Emmy Awards storylines for September 2025 are more exciting than ever.
Severance Earns Major Recognition
Apple TV+’s workplace horror drama Severance made a significant impact on both viewers and the Television Academy. Its debut season secured 14 nominations, but scheduling challenges related to two strikes in 2023 delayed Season 2. The resulting three-year wait allowed new audiences to discover the show, perfectly setting the stage for a sophomore season that expanded its narrative and fulfilled the promise of Season 1.
The Emmys responded accordingly. Severance received an impressive 27 nominations, the highest for any series in 2025. Notable nods include Best Drama Actor for Adam Scott, Best Drama Actress for Britt Lower, and multiple supporting nominations for Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, and guest acting nominations for Jane Alexander, Gwendoline Christie, and Merritt Wever.
The Penguin’s Strong Showing
Just behind Severance with 24 nominations is a limited series focusing on Gotham City’s villain resembling an aquatic, flightless bird. The success of The Penguin, a spin-off from The Batman, highlights the character’s massive impact.
The crime drama starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti nearly doubled the nominations of its closest competitor in the limited series category, Adolescence, underscoring its significance as a major awards contender.
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The Studio’s Comedy Dominance
Matching the record for most nominations in a single year for a comedy series, The Studio amassed 23 nominations. The key to its success? Guest actors playing themselves. It occupied five of six slots in Best Comedy Guest Actor (Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Ron Howard, Dave Franco, Martin Scorsese) and also received a nod for Best Comedy Guest Actress (Zoë Kravitz), all portraying exaggerated versions of themselves.
The Bear’s Steady Presence
The FX series The Bear followed up its record-setting 23 nominations last year with a third season that received 13 nominations, tying the first season’s total. While some question whether it still qualifies as a comedy and note somewhat mixed reviews, the series remains a strong contender.
The White Lotus Remains a Powerhouse
Mike White’s resort anthology series The White Lotus may have peaked in acting nominations with seven this season, down from eight and nine in previous seasons. However, with 23 total nominations this year, it remains a dominant force among drama series, second only to Severance.
Despite fewer acting nods, the Emmys show no signs of ending the show’s successful run anytime soon.
