Soap Central’s Emmy 2025 predictions: Who’s in and who might surprise

As the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards draw closer, the television landscape is buzzing with speculation, shake-ups, and a surplus of standout performances. From the heat of Chicago kitchens to the icy corridors of dystopian workplaces, Emmy voters have their work cut out for them. This year, it’s not just about the locks—it’s about the curveballs.

At Soap Central, we’re diving headfirst into the frontrunners, the buzzed-about contenders, and yes, the potential Emmy 2025 chaos agents who could shake up your ballot. Whether you’re rooting for familiar faces or watching the industry’s rising stars, our predictions will give you the lay of the land, the soap-worthy drama, and a few eyebrow-raisers. Let’s break it all down, category by category.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for outstanding comedy series: The Bear still roars, but shadows linger

It’s hard to imagine any comedy dethroning The Bear, which continues to deliver high-stakes emotion with a side of existential panic. Alongside it, Abbott Elementary and Hacks remain mainstays with strong followings and even stronger scripts.

But don’t overlook The Studio, which has quietly turned its behind-the-scenes chaos into Emmy 2025 gold potential. Meanwhile, newcomers like Nobody Wants This are creeping up with impressive writing and a relatable core.

Prediction:

The Bear, Abbott Elementary, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, What We Do in the Shadows, The Studio

Spoiler Alert:

Shrinking or The Four Seasons could edge in if sentimentality sways voters.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for outstanding drama series: The Pitt and Severance lead the pack

Drama is the genre where Emmy 2025 voters let their gravitas shine—and this year, the competition is brutal in the best way. The Pitt, a gripping new contender led by Noah Wyle, is poised to dominate with its moral ambiguity and rich ensemble.

Meanwhile, returning champ Severance has more than just “Part 2” buzz—it has the kind of narrative layering that awards voters eat up. Add in The White Lotus, Slow Horses, and The Last of Us, and you’ve got a category stacked like a prestige buffet.

Prediction:

The Pitt, Severance, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, Slow Horses, The Diplomat

Keep Your Eye On:

Paradise or Andor could storm in with genre-busting finesse.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for lead actor – Comedy: Jeremy Allen White vs. everybody

Let’s be honest—this category could be called "The Jeremy Allen White Show". His performance in The Bear continues to sear itself into Emmy voters’ memories. But Jason Segel (Shrinking) and Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This) are nipping at his heels with charming, melancholic performances.

Veterans like Martin Short (Only Murders) and Seth Rogen (The Studio) round out a field full of funny men with surprising emotional depth.

Prediction:

Jeremy Allen White, Jason Segel, Adam Brody, Seth Rogen, Martin Short

Surprise Entry:

Steve Martin—because Emmy voters love a legacy vote.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for lead actress – Comedy: Ayo and Quinta battle for the crown

This one’s a heartbreaker of a category—in the best way. Ayo Edebiri has the momentum, thanks to The Bear’s genre-bending turn, while Quinta Brunson remains Emmy 2025 royalty for her ever-sharp performance in Abbott Elementary.

Jean Smart, returning to Hacks, could be the spoiler here, especially if voters want to honor her sustained brilliance.

Prediction:

Ayo Edebiri, Quinta Brunson, Jean Smart, Kristen Bell, Selena Gomez

Wildcard:

Kate Hudson in Running Point could bounce in with just the right blend of glamour and grit.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for lead actor – Drama: The battle of the brooders

In what could be one of the toughest categories this year, Noah Wyle (The Pitt) and Adam Scott (Severance) are the two to beat—each representing a different flavor of psychological torment. Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) and Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) round out the top-tier, with Sterling K. Brown (Paradise) looking to steal their thunder with another deeply layered performance.

Prediction:

Noah Wyle, Adam Scott, Pedro Pascal, Gary Oldman, Sterling K. Brown

Could Crash the Party:

Eddie Redmayne (The Day of the Jackal)—a late but buzzy entrant.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for lead actress – Drama: Kathy Bates makes a comeback

Kathy Bates' return to Matlock is one of those performances you feel Emmy 2025 voters will reward on name and nuance alone. Meanwhile, Britt Lower (Severance), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), and Keri Russell (The Diplomat) deliver weighty, world-weary work that’s hard to ignore.

Prediction:

Kathy Bates, Britt Lower, Bella Ramsey, Keri Russell, Elisabeth Moss

Watch Out For:

Keira Knightley (Black Doves) if the Academy is in a mood for espionage and eyeliner.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for supporting actor – Comedy: Ford, Moss-Bachrach, and the Chaos Boys

From the stoicism of Harrison Ford (Shrinking) to Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s unpredictable genius in The Bear, this is a category filled with scene-stealers. Don’t forget about Ike Barinholtz or Michael Urie (Shrinking), both bringing depth to comedic dysfunction.

Prediction: Harrison Ford, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ike Barinholtz, Michael Urie, Paul W. Downs

Spoiler Potential: Brett Goldstein could ride Shrinking’s ensemble love straight to a nod.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for supporting actress – Comedy: O’Hara returns, and Liza ascends

Catherine O’Hara’s (The Studio) return to the Emmy 2025 chat is welcome and timely, but Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) might finally get the recognition she’s quietly earned. The ever-brilliant Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary) remain hard to beat.

Prediction:

Liza Colón-Zayas, Catherine O’Hara, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Hannah Einbinder

Dark Horse:

Meryl Streep (Only Murders)—because she’s Meryl. Full stop.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for limited series: Adolescence and The Penguin fight for supremacy

The limited series race is a thriller in itself. Adolescence is the prestige pick—subtle, painful, gripping. The Penguin is flashier but with real bite, led by Colin Farrell’s haunting performance. Dying for Sex and Presumed Innocent are in hot pursuit, bringing a mix of true crime and narrative innovation.

Prediction:

Adolescence, The Penguin , Dying for Sex, Presumed Innocent, Say Nothing

Left Field Alert:

Disclaimer could sneak in with its haunting psychological beats.

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Emmy 2025's prediction for lead performances – Limited series: Michelle and Colin are coming

Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) gives an emotionally devastating performance that should lead the pack, but Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) could shake up the pack with a quietly powerful arc. On the men’s side, Colin Farrell is the obvious pick—but Stephen Graham (Adolescence) is circling.

Actress Prediction:

Michelle Williams, Cristin Milioti, Cate Blanchett, Renée Zellweger, Lola Petticrew

Actor Prediction:

Colin Farrell, Stephen Graham, Kevin Kline, Brian Tyree Henry, Cooper Koch

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Final thoughts for Emmy 2025: A year of close calls and clever twists

The Emmy 2025 may not have Succession or Ted Lasso, but don’t let that fool you. This year’s race is a heavyweight clash of innovation, emotion, and reinvention. From rising stars to familiar icons returning in new lights, this is one of the most unpredictable lineups in recent memory.

So, who’s in and who might surprise? The truth is, everyone's a contender in a year where TV pulled out all the stops, and Emmy 2025 voters just might reward the boldest of them.