The key races for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards couldn’t be more different.
The comedy categories appear to be heading for another showdown between The Bear — once again prompting an obligatory “Is it a drama or a comedy?” debate — and Hacks, with several returning shows still in the mix while the drama fields, which Shōgun dominated last year, are wide open.
While voters can, and in many cases should, absolutely go back to prior favorites like The White Lotus, Severance and The Last of Us, the THR television critics have recommendations on some familiar and some quirky and offbeat ways to fill out ballots.
Voting for the nomination round closes on Monday, June 23, with nominations announced on Tuesday, July 15. The 2025 Emmys will air on CBS and Paramount+ on September 14, with Nate Bargatze serving as host.
COMEDY
Best Series
After Max’s Hacks upset The Bear in this race last Emmys, there was some speculation that FX might consider a jump in categories for the restaurant drama. Nope! So expect another deserved showdown. While voters will probably prefer looking at themselves in The Studio, a better field would include comic weepies Shrinking, A Man on the Inside and Somebody Somewhere, plus broadcast standby Abbott Elementary and Nathan Fielder’s genre hybrid dazzler The Rehearsal. — D.F.
Best Actor
It is a crime that HBO’s joyously funny, exquisitely empathetic Somebody Somewhere has yet to be nominated for a single Emmy; let’s rectify that with a nom for Jeff Hiller’s irrepressible Joel. Elsewhere, I’m a fan of Fielder’s distinctive weirdness on HBO’s The Rehearsal, Ted Danson’s funny-poignant turn on Netflix’s A Man on the Inside, Adam Brody’s romantic chops on Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, Seth Rogen’s never-ending panic attack on Apple TV+’s The Studio and everything everyone is doing on FX’s What We Do in the Shadows. — A.H.
Best Actress
This is where Hannah Einbinder belongs, right alongside Hacks co-star Jean Smart. Instead, she’s miscategorized as supporting, which should leave room for Uzo Aduba’s quirky The Residence performance, Stephanie Hsu’s confident rom-com weirdness in Peacock’s Laid, Kristen Bell’s Nobody Wants This charm offensive and such returning favorites as Quinta Brunson (Abbott), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and Natasha Lyonne (Peacock’s Poker Face). — D.F.
Best Supporting Actor
I expect we’ll see several repeats in this category, including The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Hacks’ Paul W. Downs, Abbott Elementary’s Tyler James Williams and Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang, and I’d be happy for all of them. But I’d also love to find room for SNL breakout Marcello Hernández, Somebody Somewhere sweetheart Tim Bagley, Shrinking scene-stealer Ted McGinley and especially his co-star Harrison Ford — heard of him? — who was robbed of a nomination for season one. — A.H.
Best Supporting Actress
If Einbinder has to be here, she might as well win, especially since Liza Colón-Zayas of The Bear won the Emmy she deserved for this year at the Emmys in September. There are too many good contenders here, but I’d push for Lukita Maxwell (and Jessica Williams and Christa Miller) of Apple TV+’s Shrinking, Zosia Mamet of Peacock’s Laid, Poorna Jagannathan of Hulu’s Deli Boys, Janelle James of Abbott Elementary and the great Lou de Laâge, the best part of Prime Video’s Étoile. — D.F.
DRAMA
Best Series
It’s hard to think of a series more searingly of-the-moment than Andor, Tony Gilroy’s anti-fascist statement by way of a Disney+ Star Wars brand extension. I’m also high on Max’s The Pitt, the best and buzziest of this year’s many medical dramas. But if a critic can dream, I’d also be thrilled to see HBO’s Industry, sharper and bolder than ever in season three, and AMC’s deliriously twisted Interview With the Vampire enter the race. — A.H.
Best Actor
My list starts with Zahn McClarnon of AMC’s Dark Winds, a confident star turn that anchors the fine series. Noah Wyle’s steady, yet emotionally volatile performance carried The Pitt, the second season of Severance took Adam Scott to new, darker places, and Diego Luna held together the disparate elements in Andor. A good list could also include Matthew Goode (Netflix’s Dept. Q), Sterling K. Brown (Hulu’s Paradise) and the reliable Gary Oldman (Apple TV+’s Slow Horses). — D.F.
Best Actress
If I had to sum up my faves in a single word, it’d be “ferocious.” Bella Ramsey blew me away with their fury and vulnerability on HBO’s The Last of Us. Britt Lower’s high-wire act on Apple TV+’s Severance rewarded close repeat viewing. Marisa Abela took Yasmin to cold depths on Industry, and Melanie Lynskey and Sophie Nélisse burned up the screen with their shared rage on Showtime’s Yellowjackets. — A.H.
Best Supporting Actor
A respectable list could include nothing but Severance (don’t forget Zach Cherry) and The White Lotus (don’t forget Patrick Schwarzenegger), but that would leave out such options as Gerran Howell (The Pitt), Kyle Soller (Andor), Ben Whishaw (Netflix’s Black Doves) and Michael Emerson (CBS’ Evil). — D.F.
Best Supporting Actress
The temptation to fill this extremely competitive category with people from The Pitt is strong, with Katherine LaNasa and Taylor Dearden especially close to my heart. But I’d be remiss to ignore the similarly wonderful work by The White Lotus’ Aimee Lou Wood and Carrie Coon, Andor’s Denise Gough and Genevieve O’Reilly, The Last of Us’ Isabela Merced and Severance’s Dichen Lachman. — A.H.
LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY
Best Series
Would it be reductive to describe the one-shot wonder Adolescence as “this year’s Baby Reindeer,” just because they’re both wildly acclaimed, harrowing Netflix originals of British origin? Probably. Would it be inaccurate? Probably not, and deservedly so: Adolescence is a powerhouse of acting, writing and directing. But let’s save some applause as well for FX’s searing Troubles drama Say Nothing and its boldly horny cancer dramedy Dying for Sex. — A.H.
Best Actor
Stephen Graham tucking in that teddy bear in Adolescence wrecked me; give that man a hug, and a prize. Or hand it to Brian Tyree Henry, who can do no wrong in Apple TV+’s Dope Thief. Otherwise, most of my picks are great performances in so-so shows: Cooper Koch in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Josh Rivera in FX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez and Jimmy O. Yang in Disney+’s American Born Chinese. — A.H.
Best Actress
It’s essential Cristin Milioti end her bizarre streak of Emmy nom snubbing. The Penguin is nothing without her. Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) and Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) will add star power in a weak category that should include Kaitlyn Dever (Apple Cider Vinegar), Lola Petticrew (Say Nothing) and Tamara Lawrance (Get Millie Black). — D.F.
Best Supporting Actor
In his first onscreen performance, the astonishing Owen Cooper of Adolescence has this category in the bag. Since Bill Camp has roughly 73 performances here, let’s get him a nom for … something, without forgetting about Don Cheadle (Peacock’s Fight Night), Diego Luna (Hulu’s La Máquina), Rob Delaney (Dying for Sex), Wagner Moura (Dope Thief) or Ramy Youssef (HBO’s Mountainhead). — D.F.
Best Supporting Actress
Sorry to bring up Adolescence again, but Erin Doherty’s performance was a beast — intense but nuanced, layered and dynamic. Also worthy of praise are Jenny Slate’s tenderness on Dying for Sex, Ruth Negga’s hurt and determination on Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent and Betty Gilpin’s raw longing on Starz’s Three Women. And while I thought Hulu’s Good American Family was deeply misguided, I left impressed by Imogen Faith Reid’s handling of a highly difficult role. — A.H.
This story appeared in the June 18 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
