There’s no need to talk about a “night without surprises” — there were few, if any. In a year this competitive, it’s hard to call anything unfair. My only regret is that Andor, my favorite show of the year, lost to The Pitt. But here we go.

The 2025 Emmy Awards ended up confirming what many already suspected: it was a year of well-earned victories. The award for Outstanding Drama Series went to The Pitt, crowning a critically acclaimed season that managed to stand out in an exceptionally strong field. The win felt symbolic — not only because The Pitt kept gaining momentum with audiences but also because it defeated heavy hitters like Severance and The White Lotus, both of which came in with a large number of nominations.

Looking ahead, the competition between these shows will likely heat up, but it’s also clear that the cultural obsession with The White Lotus has cooled off. And the 2026 Emmy race already has some storylines brewing: only shows airing between June 2025 and May 2026 will be eligible, which means House of the Dragon will be out of contention. The Gilded Age could have its moment in the spotlight if it makes the cut, but if The Pitt follows in the footsteps of its spiritual predecessor, E.R., we might just be witnessing the start of a new TV dynasty.

Comedy had its own drama: The Bear became the butt of a few jokes and Hacks secured wins for its leading ladies, but the night belonged to The Studio. Apple TV+’s breakout series confirmed the hype, taking home Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actor for Seth Rogen, and top prizes for writing and directing. It was a historic night for such a new show and proof that television still rewards innovation — even when the results feel somewhat predictable.

In the limited series and anthology field, Adolescence was a steamroller. It took home Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and swept acting, writing, and directing awards. One of the most talked-about moments of the night was Owen Cooper’s victory — at just 15, he became the youngest winner ever in the Supporting Actor in a Limited Series category. His role as a teenager accused of murder earned him a standing ovation and a heartfelt acceptance speech.

Drama acting categories were just as compelling. Britt Lower of Severance finally got her long-awaited Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — a win that had felt inevitable since season one. Tramell Tillman, also from Severance, earned Supporting Actor, while Katherine LaNasa of The Pitt took Supporting Actress, upsetting frontrunner Carrie Coon from The White Lotus in one of the night’s few true head-to-head battles. The final flourish came from Noah Wyle, who won his first Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series — an emotional win that helped seal The Pitt’s coronation as the best drama of 2025. I enjoyed both The Pitt and Severance, but for me, nothing tops Andor. Time will prove its brilliance.

In comedy, Jean Smart once again reminded everyone why she’s a legend, taking home her fourth Emmy for Hacks, while her co-star Hannah Einbinder earned her first Emmy as Supporting Actress and delivered the night’s most talked-about speech — a mix of humor, politics, and gratitude as she bid farewell to a series that will end next season.

Reality television had its time to shine, too: The Traitors won Outstanding Reality/Competition Series, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver continued its winning streak in Variety Writing, and SNL 50: The Anniversary Special took home Outstanding Live Variety Special, celebrating half a century of one of TV’s most enduring institutions.

Not everything landed perfectly: producers introduced a somewhat aggressive rule for acceptance speeches — a strict 45-second timer, with $1,000 donated for every second under and $1,000 deducted for every second over. It kept speeches tighter and created some funny moments, but it also felt oddly punitive. My suggestion? Apply the same rule to the presenters. The show wouldn’t need to run four hours, and let’s be honest — they’re the ones who really drag it out.

In the end, the 2025 Emmys delivered what we hope for in a good awards show: no outrageous snubs, genuine emotion, and the sense that the best of the year truly got its moment. The Pitt cemented itself as TV’s new drama gold standard, The Studio brought fresh energy to comedy, and Adolescence proved the limited series format still has plenty of power left. Now, it’s time to turn the page and start listing the 2026 frontrunners.