2025 Emmy Awards Recap: 'The Studio' Steals the Show with Record-Breaking 13 Wins
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrated the best in television with a mix of heartfelt tributes, record-shattering victories, and a touch of comedy courtesy of host Nate Bargatze. As streamers and networks vied for supremacy, a handful of standout series dominated the night. Here's a quick rundown of the shows that racked up the most awards, including wins from the preceding Creative Arts Emmys:
The Studio (Apple TV+): 13 wins – The breakout comedy set a new benchmark as the most-awarded debut series ever
The Penguin (HBO): 9 wins – The gritty DC Comics spin-off soared in technical and acting categories.
Severance (Apple TV+): 8 wins – The dystopian thriller continued its strong run with key acting and craft honors.
SNL50: The Anniversary Special (NBC): 8 wins – The star-studded celebration of Saturday Night Live's milestone marked a triumphant return for variety programming.
Adolescence (Netflix): 6 wins – The poignant limited series dominated its field with powerful performances.
The Pitt (HBO/Max): 3 wins – The intense medical drama punched above its weight in drama categories.
A Night of Firsts and Fresh Faces
Hosted by stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze, the ceremony aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, blending sharp wit with timely nods to TV's past and future. Bargatze's signature deadpan humor shone through in a memorable bit where he jokingly threatened to dock a $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for every overlong acceptance speech—ultimately boosting the total pledge to $350,000 after the crowd's enthusiasm. Presenters added star power, from Gilmore Girls duo Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel to a Law & Order cast reunion, while the In Memoriam segment featured a touching tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner delivered by Phylicia Rashad.
The night belonged to newcomers and underdogs, with The Studio leading the charge. The Apple TV+ workplace satire, created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, not only clinched Outstanding Comedy Series but also piled on wins for Lead Actor (Rogen), Directing (Rogen and Goldberg), and Writing (a team effort including Rogen, Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez). Rogen tied the single-night individual win record, cementing the show's status as a cultural juggernaut.
In drama, Hulu's The Pitt edged out heavy hitters like The Diplomat and The Last of Us to win Outstanding Drama Series. Noah Wyle earned Lead Actor for his raw portrayal of a beleaguered ER doctor, while Katherine LaNasa snagged Supporting Actress, upsetting favorites from The White Lotus.
Netflix's Adolescence ruled the limited series field, taking home Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series alongside wins for Lead Actor (Stephen Graham), Supporting Actor (15-year-old Owen Cooper, the youngest male acting winner ever), Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty), and Writing (Graham and Jack Thorne). The series's unflinching look at youth in crisis resonated deeply, with Cooper's victory drawing thunderous applause.
Other acting standouts included:
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Britt Lower (Severance, Apple TV+)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart (Hacks, HBO Max)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series: Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tramell Tillman (Severance), marking the first win for a Black man in the category
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere, HBO Max), who bested Harrison Ford
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Hannah Einbinder (Hacks)
Directing and writing honors highlighted bold visions: Adam Randall for Slow Horses (drama), Rogen and Goldberg for The Studio (comedy), and Philip Barantini for Adolescence (limited). Writing nods went to Dan Gilroy (Andor, drama) and the Studio team (comedy).
Surprises, Records, and Bittersweet Goodbyes
The Emmys weren't short on shocks. Jeff Hiller's upset over Ford in supporting comedy was a fan-favorite moment, while The Late Show With Stephen Colbert—facing cancellation in 2026—nabbed its first Outstanding Talk Series win amid chants of "Stephen! Stephen!" from the audience. Variety sketches bowed to Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and reality fans cheered The Traitors for Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
Records tumbled across the board: The Studio matched The Bear's nomination haul at 23 for a comedy, while Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) became the youngest Black woman with three acting nods. Kathy Bates, 77, made history as the oldest Lead Actress nominee for Matlock, and Bella Ramsey, 21, earned their second Lead Actress nod for The Last of Us.
Off-screen, networks tied for glory: HBO and HBO Max with 30 wins apiece, followed by Netflix at 30 and Apple TV+ at 22. The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award went to Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen—the first couple to share it—honoring their philanthropy.
As the credits rolled, the 2025 Emmys reminded us why TV remains king: It's where fresh stories collide with timeless talent, delivering nights we'll binge-rewatch forever.