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It’s official — the 77th Primetime Emmy nominations are in, and the frontrunners have made themselves loud and clear. In a year defined by genre reinvention, unexpected breakouts, and a few stylish heavyweights, a small circle of shows walked away with staggering nomination hauls.
While the spread of categories remains diverse — from drama and comedy to anthology, reality, and beyond — the real story is in the numbers. These shows absolutely dominated the nomination leaderboard and will likely lead the conversation to Primetime Emmy night on September 14.
Let’s take a closer look at the most-nominated series of the year.
“Severance” (Apple TV+) – 27 nominations
Severance sliced through the competition with a whopping 27 nominations, the most of any show this year — and no, you're not hallucinating. After a long hiatus, the corporate psychological thriller returned and immediately reclaimed its place as the gold standard of high-concept television.
From acting nods for Adam Scott and Britt Lower to directing, writing, and nearly every technical category imaginable, Severance is poised to do serious damage this September. Apple TV+ pulled off the rare feat of bringing back a sophomore season that not only met expectations but exploded past them.
“The Penguin” (HBO Max) – 24 nominations
Talk about a bird of prey. The Penguin, the moody Batman spinoff starring Colin Farrell, stormed the Primetime Emmy with 24 nominations, easily becoming the top limited series of the year. The prosthetics alone could've scored a nod — but the real surprise is how deeply the show resonated with voters beyond its comic-book roots.
With acting nominations for Farrell and Cristin Milioti, plus a slew of nods in production design, sound, editing, and more, The Penguin proved that genre storytelling, when done with grit and character, can soar just as high as prestige drama.
“The Studio” (Apple TV+) – 23 nominations
Apple TV+ isn’t just playing the Primetime Emmy game — it’s building the board. The Studio, a sharp, semi-satirical look at the dysfunction behind the scenes of a Hollywood production house, landed 23 nominations, making it the most-nominated comedy of 2025.
Seth Rogen scored big in the Lead Actor category, while the show’s meta-commentary on fame, ego, and chaos behind the cameras hit all the right notes with Emmy voters. With nominations across acting, writing, and directing, The Studio is a certified powerhouse.
“The White Lotus” (HBO Max) – 23 nominations
The White Lotus has officially transitioned from Primetime Emmy darling to Primetime Emmy dynasty. Its third installment — this time set in Thailand — matched The Studio with 23 nominations, continuing its reign as one of the most stylish, psychologically twisted ensembles on TV.
Creator Mike White once again earned directing and writing nods, while the cast brought in a new batch of richly flawed characters that voters couldn’t get enough of. At this point, The White Lotus might need its own permanent category.
“The Last of Us” (HBO Max) – 16 nominations
The infected returned, and so did the acclaim. The Last of Us held strong with 16 nominations in its second season, maintaining its grip on the drama landscape with heart-wrenching performances and pulse-pounding spectacle.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey once again headline the acting categories, while the show racked up nods in makeup, score, and visual effects. It may be HBO’s most genre-heavy offering, but don’t underestimate its emotional power come voting time.
“Andor” (Disney+) – 14 nominations
Disney+ scored big with Andor, the Star Wars prequel series that continued to win over Primetime Emmy voters with its slow-burn storytelling and political intrigue. With 14 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Andor solidified its place as the most critically revered Star Wars entry to date.
Diego Luna’s return, the meticulous set design, and the show's rich writing made it a force to be reckoned with — even without lightsabers.
“Hacks” (HBO Max) – 14 nominations
Comedy with bite — that’s Hacks in a nutshell. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder returned to Emmy favor with 14 nominations, keeping the beloved HBO Max comedy right in the thick of the race.
Smart’s performance continues to be one of the most lauded on TV, while the series itself earned praise across the board for its writing, directing, and ensemble work. Hacks is funny, fearless, and clearly still very much in fashion with the Academy.
Final take
From corporate dystopias to DC villains, from Hollywood’s messiest writers’ rooms to tropical murder mysteries — 2025's top Primetime Emmy contenders span the full spectrum of television genres. Severance leads the charge with a staggering 27 nominations, but with HBO Max and Apple TV+ both fielding multiple heavy-hitters, the real battle may be between platforms.
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Can The Penguin or The Studio overtake the sci-fi brain-bender? Will The White Lotus pull another ensemble upset? Or is The Bear lurking just beneath the leaderboard, ready to claw through with wins?
One thing’s for sure — the Primetime Emmy this year won’t be boring.
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