On the biggest night in television, the 2025 Emmys have spoken: crowning this year’s best in TV with remarkable performances and memorable stories. In another strong year for streaming giants, HBO Max, Netflix, and Apple TV+ led the pack with multiple wins apiece. From breakout dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, we’ve rounded up the biggest winners and exactly where you can start binging their award-winning magic tonight. Time to refresh your watchlist!
Read More: Ready To Hit Play? The Ultimate Lineup Of Bingeworthy TV Shows For 2025
‘The Pitt’ – Return Of The Prestige Medical Drama
In a surprising twist, ‘The Pitt’ claimed the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series, edging out ‘Severance.’ The acceptance speeches were deeply moving, with cast and crew describing the show as a heartfelt tribute to healthcare workers – honouring their dedication and sacrifices.
Katherine LaNasa scored a notable underdog victory, winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series over three strong contenders from ‘The White Lotus.’ Meanwhile, Noah Wyle earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in a poignant full-circle moment, decades after his multiple (but winless) nominations for ‘ER’ in the 90s. These triumphs followed Shawn Hatosy’s recent win for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys.
Watch ‘The Pitt’ on HBO Max.
Hollywood Satire ‘The Studio’ Steals The Spotlight
‘The Studio’ was the clear favourite in the comedy categories, winning over both audiences and Emmy voters with its witty send-up of the modern film industry. Its sharp deconstruction of the challenges and absurdities of today’s studio system earned the show top honours at the 2025 Emmys – including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing and Directing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor (Seth Rogen), and Outstanding Guest Actor (Bryan Cranston). This impressive haul also secured ‘The Studio’ the record for the most Emmys won by a comedy series in a single year – with a total of 13 awards.
What truly sets ‘The Studio’ apart is its star-studded ensemble – recognised with a win for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series – featuring numerous celebrities playing exaggerated versions of themselves. This meta-comedy layers hilarious self-awareness with a humorous chronicle of Hollywood insiders struggling to preserve the art of filmmaking amid relentless box office pressures, making it both a playful tribute and a sharp critique of the entertainment industry.
Watch ‘The Studio’ on Apple TV+.
Youth On Fire – ‘Adolescence’ Sweeps
Dominating the limited series categories, ‘Adolescence’ secured the award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The series also made history with Owen Cooper’s win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, recognised for his raw and haunting portrayal of a young boy in crisis. One of the most widely discussed series of the year, ‘Adolescence’ drew audiences in with its daring ‘one-take’ episodes and deeply emotional exploration of how a 13-year-old spiraled into becoming a killer.
Behind the camera, the acclaimed creative team collected honours for Outstanding Directing, Writing, Casting, and Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Creator Stephen Graham earned double recognition for his work both in front of and behind the lens, taking home Outstanding Lead Actor alongside his creative accolades.
Among the most talked-about moments, the emotionally charged ‘therapist episode’ was hailed as one of the standout television episodes of 2025. Erin Doherty’s win for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her nuanced portrayal of child psychologist Briony further solidified ‘Adolescence’ as one of the year’s defining Emmy successes.
Watch ‘Adolescence’ on Netflix.
Innies & Outies – ‘Severance’ Rises Up
Although ‘Severance’ didn’t dominate the Emmys as many anticipated, it still earned an impressive number of wins, reinforcing its place as one of the year’s most acclaimed series. Notably, Tramell Tillman and Britt Lower were recognised for their standout performances, winning Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, respectively. Tillman’s win marked a historic milestone: the first time the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama category was awarded to a Black actor – and the first to an openly gay Black actor.
The show’s second season received widespread praise for its storytelling, intricate character work, and striking technical execution. By confronting the ethical, emotional, and practical dilemmas faced by its ‘severed’ characters, Severance delivered one of the year’s most thought-provoking and richly textured portrayals of the human condition.
Watch ‘Severance’ on Apple TV+.
Back-To-Back Wins For ‘The Traitors’
For the second consecutive year, ‘The Traitors’ took home two major Emmy awards – winning both Outstanding Reality Competition Programme and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Programme. This back-to-back victory continues to challenge the long-standing dominance of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ in these categories.
With its gripping format, dynamic contestants, and charismatic hosting, ‘The Traitors’ proves how fresh twists and engaging personalities can reinvigorate a competition show in an increasingly crowded genre.
Watch ‘The Traitors’ On Peacock in the U.S. & through creative methods in other regions.
The Women Of ‘Hacks’ Prevail
While ‘Hacks’ didn’t capture the top series awards this year, the women of the show clearly dominated the comedy acting categories with performances that struck a chord with Emmy voters. As the cast gears up to film the highly anticipated fifth and final season, the 2025 Emmys reaffirmed Hacks as a comedic standout driven by powerhouse female talent.
Jean Smart once again claimed Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, now winning an Emmy for every season of ‘Hacks’ – a remarkable streak that highlights her brilliant portrayal of comedian Deborah Vance. In the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, Smart’s co-star Hannah Einbinder finally joined the winners’ circle, earning a well-deserved victory after multiple nominations. The triumphs added to Julianne Nicholson’s win for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the Creative Arts Emmys, rounding out a night of strong recognition for the series’ female performers.
Watch ‘Hacks’ on HBO Max.
A Night Of Reunions & Tributes
Amid the celebration of television’s finest, the 2025 Emmys also featured memorable cast reunions and touching homages. One of the most talked-about moments was the reunion of Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel from ‘Gilmore Girls,’ delighting fans as they appeared together on the show’s iconic front porch set – perfectly timed for fall.
The evening also paid homage to the classic sitcom ‘Golden Girls.’ Reba McEntire, joined by Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, delivered a moving musical performance that held the audience spellbound. As the trio sang the timeless theme song, ‘Thank You For Being a Friend,’ the entire theatre joined in, honouring the lasting legacy of this cherished feel-good series.
Watch ‘Gilmore Girls’ on Netflix.
Watch ‘Golden Girls’ on Disney+.
Who Made The Cut…
Celebrating a broader spectrum of talent, the 2025 Emmys delivered several surprise wins that showcased breakout performances and overlooked gems. Jeff Hiller’s heartfelt work in the underappreciated series ‘Somebody Somewhere’ earned him a well-deserved dark-horse victory for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – bringing overdue recognition to the show’s quietly cherished final season. Cristin Milioti also impressed voters with her acclaimed portrayal of Sofia Falcone in ‘The Penguin,’ securing a standout win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
The final season of the acclaimed ‘Star Wars’ spin-off ‘Andor’ scored an unexpected triumph in Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Meanwhile, breaking up the near-sweep in the drama categories, ‘Slow Horses’ took home Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, edging out heavyweight contenders like ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Severance,’ and ‘The White Lotus.’
Watch ‘Somebody Somewhere’ on HBO Max.
Watch ‘The Penguin’ on HBO Max.
Watch ‘Andor’ on Disney+.
Watch ‘Slow Horses’ on Apple TV+.
…& Who Didn’t
On the other hand, this year’s Emmy snubs raised more than a few eyebrows – especially as past juggernauts went home empty-handed. ‘The Bear’ stunned fans by dropping from multiple wins last year to no awards at all, while ‘The White Lotus’ was completely shut out despite its strong performances and critical acclaim.
These surprising omissions underscore the impressive range and diversity of talent on television in 2025, where even consistently strong nominees faced fierce competition. Another notable snub occurred in the reality competition categories, where the decisive two-horse race for ‘Outstanding Reality Competition Programme saw ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ bested once again by ‘The Traitors,’ signalling a significant shift in the genre’s landscape.
Watch ‘The Bear’ on Disney+.
Watch ‘The White Lotus’ on HBO Max.
Watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ on different streaming services and creative methods in various regions.
Watch ‘The Traitors’ On Peacock in the U.S. & through creative methods in other regions.
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
