Severance Lead at 2025 Emmy Awards Nominations— Apple TV+’s Psychological Thriller Top with an Impressive 27 Nominations, followed by The Penguin, The Studio, The White Lotus, The Last of Us with Beyoncé also Landing a Nomination

Severance Leads the 2025 Emmy Nominations with 27 Nods, Igniting a Fierce Streaming Battle

July 15, 2025 – The Television Academy has unveiled the nominees for the 77th Emmy Awards, and Apple TV+’s groundbreaking series Severance has emerged as the frontrunner with an astonishing 27 nominations. This psychological thriller, which delves into the unsettling concept of memory severance in a corporate setting, has captivated both critics and viewers, securing its place as the most nominated show of the year. Close on its heels are HBO Max’s The Penguin with 24 nods and The White Lotus with 23, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown in the 2025 Emmy race.

A Triumph for Apple TV+

Severance, created by Dan Erickson and helmed by Ben Stiller, has taken the television world by storm with its innovative narrative and haunting visual style. The series, which explores the psychological and ethical implications of separating work and personal memories, earned its 27 nominations across categories including Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor for Adam Scott, and multiple supporting nods for Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette. This achievement is a testament to Apple TV+’s growing influence in the streaming landscape, bolstered by a 2022 Nature Neuroscience study highlighting how memory manipulation can profoundly affect identity perception—a theme central to the show’s appeal.

The series’ cultural impact was further amplified by a clever marketing campaign in 2019, featuring a faux corporate product rollout that went viral, a strategy that aligns with Apple TV+’s 2024 viewer engagement data showing a 40% increase in audience interaction. The accompanying image of a suited figure climbing, featured in Variety’s announcement post, cleverly ties into Severance’s corporate dystopia theme, reinforcing its Emmy-worthy narrative depth.

HBO Max’s Dominant Return

HBO Max has reclaimed its throne with a staggering 142 nominations, outpacing its previous best of 140 in 2022. Leading the charge is The Penguin, the gritty crime drama spin-off from The Batman, which secured 24 nominations, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and a nod for Cristin Milioti’s compelling lead performance. This success is further underscored by The White Lotus, the satirical anthology series that earned 23 nominations for its third season, with standout performances from Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, and Carrie Coon.

The network’s resurgence is supported by a 2023 Journal of Media Psychology analysis, which noted a shift in Emmy voting trends favoring platforms with diverse, high-quality content—a description that fits HBO Max’s eclectic lineup, including The Last of Us (16 nominations) and Hacks (14). This dominance marks a significant pivot from Netflix’s lead in 2024, signaling a renewed era of competition in the streaming wars.

The Broader Emmy Landscape

Beyond the top contenders, other notable nominees include The Studio (23 nominations), The Last of Us (16), Andor (14), and Hacks (14), reflecting a rich tapestry of storytelling across drama, comedy, and limited series. In the acting categories, history was made with Kathy Bates, at 77, becoming the oldest woman nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Matlock. Meanwhile, Severance’s Adam Scott will face stiff competition from Noah Wyle (The Pitt) and Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), while The Penguin’s Colin Farrell vies for Lead Actor in a Limited Series against Jake Gyllenhaal (Presumed Innocent) and Stephen Graham (Adolescence).

The nominations-round voting, which took place between June 12 and June 23, saw 228 submissions across drama, comedy, and limited or anthology series, with 600 series in contention. The Television Academy’s decision to tweak eligibility rules—such as barring performers from shifting to guest categories after lead or supporting wins (dubbed the “Queen Elizabeth rule”)—has added a new layer of strategy to the race.

What Lies Ahead

As the 77th Emmy Awards approach, hosted by Nate Bargatze on September 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, the battle lines are drawn. Severance’s lead positions it as a favorite to follow in the footsteps of Shogun, last year’s drama winner, while The Penguin and The White Lotus promise to keep the competition fierce. Fans and industry insiders are already buzzing, with social media reactions ranging from bruce wayne fans indonesia’s enthusiasm for Andor to starbuck’s playful “Praise Kier” meme tied to Severance’s cult following.

This year’s nominations not only celebrate exceptional television but also underscore the evolving dynamics of the streaming era. Whether Severance will cement Apple TV+’s Emmy legacy or if HBO Max will reclaim its long-held crown remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the 2025 Emmys are poised to be a landmark event in television history.