Emmys 2025: See Our Predictions for Every Winner

After months of speculation, the 2025 Emmy Awards are almost here—and for once, it’s a little tougher to make winner predictions than usual. That’s because for the first time in a long time, the awards seem poised to reward a cohort of buzzy new shows (The Studio, The Pitt), as well as returning favorites that are only now breaking into the awards conversation in a big way (Severance for sure; Andor perhaps), as well as the old guard nominees that seem to wrack up Emmys every year (ladies and gentlemen, once again: Hacks!).

So which shows will go all the way when the 2025 Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, are presented on CBS (and Paramount+! Don’t forget Paramount+) Sunday, September 14? Below, we make our predictions in every major category.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

AndorThe DiplomatThe Last of UsParadiseThe PittPREDICTED WINNER: SeveranceSlow HorsesThe White Lotus

At the beginning of the season, this race seemed very competitive. The Last of Us and The White Lotus have been huge hits for HBO in previous seasons, and real competitors at the Emmys. But the most recent seasons of both series were received more tepidly than earlier installments. Other entries in this category got more acclaim for their most recent outings. Slow Horses is a dark horse that’s only increased in popularity with each passing year. Andor is in the race for its last season, a broadly celebrated run of episodes. Paradise is the new show that everyone seems to have liked. The Pitt became a breakout hit for its storytelling and innovative use of the real-time gimmick. When the nominations were revealed, best drama suddenly seemed like a race between The Pitt and Severance, the two shows this season that felt like rare watercooler TV. But Severance’s second season, with its bold storytelling, dramatic finale, and strong performances, has staying power that none of these other shows have—and now, at the end of the line, it feels like the easy winner. —Rebecca Ford

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

PREDICTED WINNER: Kathy Bates, MatlockSharon Horgan, Bad SistersBritt Lower, SeveranceBella Ramsey, The Last of UsKeri Russell, The Diplomat

When Kathy Bates takes time from her Oscar-winning film career to grace us with her small-screen presence, Emmy voters perk up. She has amassed 15 Emmy nominations over her five-decade career—earning wins in comedy (for a 2012 guest spot on Two and a Half Men) and limited series (for American Horror Story: Coven in 2014). This year, Bates is poised to add a drama trophy to her shelf for the hit CBS crime procedural Matlock. Because none of last year’s contenders were eligible, she’s competing against new nominees like Britt Lower, who also has a chance here; Severance is the overall drama front-runner, and shows like Bad Sisters or The Diplomat have faded in its wake. So has Ramsey’s performance in The Last of Us season two, which garnered significantly less buzz than its first. Still, we think Bates has it. A win for her would mean a rare triumph for network TV—and for CBS, the very network that airs the Emmys this year. —Savannah Walsh

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown, ParadiseGary Oldman, Slow HorsesPedro Pascal, The Last of UsAdam Scott, SeverancePREDICTED WINNER: Noah Wyle, The Pitt

The sixth time will be the charm for Noah Wyle. The ER vet earned five consecutive Emmy nominations for playing Dr. John Carter on the medical drama over two decades ago, and should finally take home his first statue for his starring role as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on yet another addictive medical drama. Wyle’s biggest competition is Adam Scott, who leads Severance, the most nominated show this season at the Emmys and the probable outstanding-drama-series winner. (Pascal, Brown, and Oldman, it’s an honor to be nominated!) But the combination of leading this season’s buzziest new prestige drama and the feeling that Wyle is long overdue for recognition means that Dr. Robby’s got this all sewn up. —Chris Murphy

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Zach Cherry, SeverancePREDICTED WINNER: Walton Goggins, The White LotusJason Isaacs, The White LotusJames Marsden, ParadiseSam Rockwell, The White LotusTramell Tillman, SeveranceJohn Turturro, Severance

This one’s a bit of a nail-biter that may come down to which drama has a better overall night at the Emmys: Severance or The White Lotus. (James Marsden, thank you for playing.) Conventional wisdom states that Goggins has the best chance of the White Lotus pack, while Tillman is the standout from season two of Severance. But which actor will go all the way? Given the reach of his role and the je ne sais quoi of the performer himself, it seems like it’ll be Goggins by a nose—but if Severance sweeps the drama categories, Tillman could well get the boost he needs to win. —Hillary Busis

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Patricia Arquette, SeverancePREDICTED WINNER: Carrie Coon, The White LotusKatherine LaNasa, The PittJulianne Nicholson, ParadiseParker Posey, The White LotusNatasha Rothwell, The White LotusAimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus

An actual race! Nearly all—at least a lot—of the White Lotus ladies are pitted against one another in this category, but it’s likely that Carrie Coon will edge out her costar Parker Posey for the win. Posey’s role generated the most memes for the series, but Coon’s monologue in the final episode gave this season its most emotional moment. Coon is also coming off a great season of another HBO show, The Gilded Age, which could be top of mind for Emmy voters. And if there is a groundswell of support for The Pitt, Katherine LaNasa could even pull off a surprise upset in the category. Tsunami! Lorazepam! —John Ross

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Andor, “Welcome to the Rebellion”The Pitt, “2:00 P.M.”The Pitt, “7:00 A.M.”PREDICTED WINNER: Severance, “Cold Harbor”Slow Horses, “Hello Goodbye”The White Lotus, “Full-Moon Party”

Slow Horses won this category last year in what was considered the biggest surprise of the night. And The White Lotus won the writing award back when it was competing as an anthology series. The Pitt earning two nominations signals that the writing branch really likes that show. But the better strategy here is to just have one episode nominated—it’s very rare for a show with multiple nominations to win. (Just look at Mad Men, which went home empty-handed in the writing category when it had three nominations in 2012.) So Severance’s “Cold Harbor,” the incredible finale of the second season and one of the most talked-about episodes of TV this year, should walk away easily with this. —R.F.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Andor, “Who Are You?”The Pitt, “6:00 P.M.”The Pitt, “7:00 A.M.”Severance, “Chikhai Bardo”PREDICTED WINNER: Severance, “Cold Harbor”Slow Horses, “Hello Goodbye”The White Lotus, “Amor Fati”

Where the Emmys are concerned, one should never count out The White Lotus’s Mike White or The Pitt’s John Wells, who have nine Emmy wins and dozens more nominations between them. But this feels like a slam-dunk victory for Ben Stiller, the preeminent director on Severance, who helmed the lauded second season’s propulsive season finale. Emmy voters have long admired Stiller’s skills behind the camera, nominating him for the show’s first season as well as the 2018 Showtime series Escape at Dannemora. But this would mark his first win in more than three decades—his last trophy came for The Ben Stiller Show back in 1993. Nothing like a nearly 30-year gap and total genre shift to make the Academy take notice. —S.W.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Abbott ElementaryThe BearHacksNobody Wants ThisOnly Murders in the BuildingShrinkingPREDICTED WINNER: The StudioWhat We Do in the Shadows

While the Emmys do love to award the same show over and over again (see: Modern Family’s five-year win streak, followed by Veep’s three-year run), sometimes a new series makes such a splash that it’s simply undeniable. Smash cut to Apple TV’s The Studio, Seth Rogen’s rollicking send-up of the entertainment industry featuring practically everyone in Hollywood. With the most nominations for a comedy series under its belt, The Studio is the front-runner going into the Emmy ceremony, and its path to victory has been made even easier considering the mixed reviews that plagued the most recent seasons of the last two outstanding-comedy-series winners, Hacks and The Bear. While the Golden Globes were Sal Saperstein’s big night, expect the Emmys to belong to Matt Remick—err, we mean Rogen. — CM

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

PREDICTED WINNER: Seth Rogen, The StudioAdam Brody, Nobody Wants ThisJason Segel, ShrinkingMartin Short, Only Murders in the BuildingJeremy Allen White, The Bear

Seth Rogen is The Studio—and if that show’s going to triumph in the night’s biggest comedy category, as we think it will, it’s tough to imagine its creator, codirector, and sometime writer not also winning for his anchoring central performance. On The Studio, Rogen isn’t just a straight man reacting to chaos; he’s frequently causing it, as in the episode when he keeps tanking Sarah Polley’s ambitious golden-hour tracking shot. Hell, maybe Rogen deserves an Emmy simply for getting Polley in front of the camera again. Either way, his acceptance speech is likely to be one for the books. —H.B.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Uzo Aduba, The ResidenceKristen Bell, Nobody Wants ThisQuinta Brunson, Abbott ElementaryAyo Edebiri, The BearPREDICTED WINNER: Jean Smart, Hacks

The presenter for this award doesn’t even need to bother reading the nominees—that’s how locked up it is for Jean Smart. Smart has never lost when nominated for Hacks, and this season won’t break her streak. Kristen Bell earned her first-ever Emmy nod for Nobody Wants This—a career-defining moment for the perpetually undervalued actress—but this is pure David vs. Goliath territory. Bell simply doesn’t have enough weapons in her arsenal to take down Smart for another incredible season as Deborah Vance. -—JR

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Ike Barinholtz, The StudioColman Domingo, The Four SeasonsPREDICTED WINNER: Harrison Ford, ShrinkingJeff Hiller, Somebody SomewhereEbon Moss-Bachrach, The BearMichael Urie, ShrinkingBowen Yang, Saturday Night Live

The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach is the two-time reigning champ in this category, but it’s extremely rare for an actor to win three times in a row. (The last time was in 2006-2008, when Jeremy Piven was on a strong run for Entourage.) With the third season of The Bear falling short for most viewers, there’s an opening for someone else to win here. Hiller and Domingo were nice surprise nominations, but their shows don’t have the support needed to cross the finish line. The race is really between Ike Barinholtz for playing the brash movie exec on The Studio and Harrison Ford as the shrink and reluctant best friend of Jason Segel’s character on Shrinking. The Studio is very popular and going to win in many other categories, so Barinholtz could win here. But we’re betting the TV Academy can’t resist honoring a legend, and will give Ford his flowers for a very strong arc on that second season. —R.F.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Liza Colón-Zayas, The BearPREDICTED WINNER: Hannah Einbinder, HacksKathryn Hahn, The StudioJanelle James, Abbott ElementarySheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott ElementaryJessica Williams, Shrinking

While Jean Smart is three for three in the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series race, her co-star has fallen short each season. Last year, Liza Colón-Zayas pulled out an upset, earning her first Emmy for The Bear’s second season over presumed frontrunner Hannah Einbinder—and inadvertently upsetting Einbinder’s mom, original Saturday Night Live cast member Larraine Newman, in the process. But rest assured, mama bear: Einbender’s standout work in the fourth season of Hacks should secure her that long-elusive trophy. Look no further than Ava’s sixth episode breakdown in the writers’ room of Deborah Vance’s late-night show, where she quits in theatrical fashion, then reconciles with her semi-estranged boss, who tells her: “You are my voice.” This could be the year that the TV Academy finally agrees. —SW

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary, “Back to School”PREDICTED WINNER: Hacks, “A Slippery Slope”The Rehearsal, “Pilot’s Code”Somebody Somewhere, “AGG”The Studio, “The Promotion”What We Do in the Shadows, “The Finale”

The Studio may have the juice in outstanding comedy series, but look out for another insidery sitcom, to prevail in the writing category. Like many freshman comedy series, The Studio submitted its pilot episode, “The Promotion”—which, while funny, has the burden of setting the stage and introducing the show. By contrast, “A Slippery Slope”—the penultimate episode of the fourth season of Hacks—was the strongest of the season, and would have made a great season finale, too. For the past two Emmy ceremonies, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky have delivered hilarious, knockout speeches—so while Hacks may miss out on outstanding comedy series, a win for writing is a great way to ensure that the team still makes it to the podium. — CM

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

The Bear, “Napkins”Hacks, “A Slippery Slope”Mid-Century Modern, “Here’s to You, Mrs. Schneiderman”The Rehearsal, ”Pilot’s Code”PREDICTED WINNER: The Studio, “The Oner”

I actually mentioned this episode of The Studio just a few blurbs ago—it’s the one where Rogen’s bumbling executive accidentally ruins Sarah Polley’s movie over and over again as she attempts to film a complex, one-shot sequence. The episode itself is also styled to look like a single take, though the final product was actually cleverly stitched together from separately filmed scenes. No matter: it’s impressive from both technical and comedy standpoints, which should be more than enough to win directors Rogen and Evan Goldberg an Emmy. —HB

OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

PREDICTED WINNER: AdolescenceBlack MirrorDying for SexMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryThe Penguin

Have you heard of a little show called Adolescence? The Netflix limited series has racked up over 140 million views (and counting) while breaking various records for the streamer. Each episode is filmed in one continuous take, the acting is top-notch, and the subject matter couldn’t be more timely—this is a sure thing for Netflix. HBO’s The Penguin delivered stellar acting and gritty storytelling, but when you’re up against this year’s most water-cooler-dominating series, it’s inconceivable to see a way in which Adolescence loses come Emmy night. Cultural zeitgeist trumps all at the Emmys. —JR

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Cate Blanchett, DisclaimerMeghann Fahy, SirensRashida Jones, Black MirrorCristin Milioti, The PenguinPREDICTED WINNER: Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex

This category comes down to a big movie star and past winner (Michelle Williams) in a show that not enough people watched vs. a longtime TV actress and first-time nominee (Cristin Milioti) on a very popular show. It could go either way. Though The Penguin has mostly drawn attention (deservedly) for Colin Farrell, Milioti won at the Critics’ Choice Awards, so she has momentum. But Williams’s performance as a woman dying of cancer who chooses to live is some of her best work ever, and we think the Academy would love to give this award to her once again. —R.F.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

PREDICTED WINNER: Colin Farrell, The PenguinStephen Graham, AdolescenceJake Gyllenhaal, Presumed InnocentBrian Tyree Henry, Dope ThiefCooper Koch, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Adolescence is poised to sweep most of the other limited-series categories, but this is the place where Colin Farrell’s jaw-dropping physical transformation can shine in all its grimy Gotham glory. He’s in nearly every scene of the critically acclaimed HBO series, which successfully proved that decades-old superhero characters can lead their own prestige show—and make Batman villains entertaining again. (Sorry to whatever point Joker: Folie à Deux was trying to make.) Then again, Graham might just pull the same Baby Reindeer-esque upset as Richard Gadd, who created and headlined last year’s runaway hit Netflix import, prevailing over a showier performance from Tom Hollander as Feud’s Truman Capote. —SW

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

Javier Bardem, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryBill Camp, Presumed InnocentPREDICTED WINNER: Owen Cooper, AdolescenceRob Delaney, Dying for SexPeter Sarsgaard, Presumed InnocentAshley Walters, Adolescence

In a category filled with well-known comedians like Rob Delaney, movie stars like Javier Bardem, and character actors like Peter Sarsgaard and Bill Camp, expect a complete unknown to snatch the statue. 15-year-old Owen Cooper stars as the troubled British tween Jaime Miller in Netflix’s smash hit limited series, which follows Jaime as he’s accused of murdering a female classmate. The third episode, which centers on an intense, disturbing conversation between Jamie and a child psychologist, Briony (played by likely best supporting actress winner Erin Doherty), all but assures that the up-and-comer will win the Emmy. While there’s a chance that Cooper might split the vote with Ashley Walters, who stars as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, he shouldn’t worry: The kid’s taking it. — CM

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

PREDICTED WINNER: Erin Doherty, AdolescenceRuth Negga, Presumed InnocentDeirdre O’Connell, The PenguinChloë Sevigny, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryJenny Slate, Dying for SexChristine Tremarco, Adolescence

Jenny Slate gives a career-redefining dramatic performance as a messy actress suddenly charged with becoming a caretaker for the world’s most sexually active cancer patient—but it won’t be enough to overtake Doherty, whose marquee episode of Adolescence is also the series’s high point. Which, again, is too bad! More people should watch Dying for Sex. In the world we live in, though, Adolescence is going to steamroll the rest of the limited series competition, and with apologies to Tremarco, Doherty’s got the second-showiest part on that show. She’s about as sure a thing as Owen Cooper. —HB

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

PREDICTED WINNER: AdolescenceBlack Mirror, “Common People”Dying for Sex, “Good Value Diet Soda”The Penguin, “A Great or Little Thing”Say Nothing, “The People in the Dirt”

Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham will be walking away with multiple trophies for Adolescence come Emmy’s night, and writing will be one of them. The limited series has only four episodes, each written by Thorne and Graham. But it’s episode three that seals the deal for the writing duo. Jamie and Briony’s sit-down is the tensest 52 minutes of television this year. It was nice to see the writers in the Television Academy take notice of the work Joshua Zetumer did in adapting Say Nothing from Patrick Radden Keefe’s book, but this is that show’s only Emmy nomination. And The Penguin has muscle elsewhere, just not here. -—JR

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE

PREDICTED WINNER: AdolescenceDying for Sex, “It’s Not That Serious”The Penguin, “Cent’anni”The Penguin, “A Great or Little Thing”Sirens, “Exile”Zero Day

Sirens was an unexpected surprise nomination in this category, but that team and the Zero Day team should consider their nominations to be the win. The double nomination for The Penguin proves how much the TV Academy likes that show, and there’s a real possibility that one of those episodes could win. But Adolescence is going to run away with so many of the awards in the limited series categories, and because the directing of the one-take series is extremely impressive, we’re confident it also wins this one. —R.F.

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM

The Amazing RaceRuPaul’s Drag RaceSurvivorTop ChefPREDICTED WINNER: The Traitors

Peacock’s hit whodunnit prevailed in this same category last year, and host Alan Cumming picked up honors for hosting, breaking an eight-year streak by RuPaul Charles of fellow nominated series RuPaul’s Drag Race. As The Traitors continues its pop cultural ascent—just last month, NBC ordered a network version of the series featuring an all-civilian cast—all signs point to a repeat win. Just so long as the voters don’t decide to turn on the show via a treacherous, roundtable-style elimination. —SW

OUTSTANDING REALITY HOST

RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag RaceMark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky, Shark TankPREDICTED WINNER: Alan Cumming, The TraitorsKristen Kish, Top ChefJeff Probst, Survivor

Grab your cape and kilt, because Alan Cumming is most likely taking this category. Although RuPaul Charles used to reign supreme here, Cumming should win his second consecutive Emmy for outstanding reality host for emceeing Peacock’s buzzy hit reality show. As if the outfits and quips weren’t enough, The Traitors is coming off its biggest season yet. Look to four-time Emmy winner and Survivor host Jeff Probst for a potential upset, as that long-running show made a return to form in its most recent season. But we suspect the Emmys will prove faithful to Cumming. —CM

OUTSTANDING TALK SERIES

The Daily ShowJimmy Kimmel Live!PREDICTED WINNER: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Donald Trump famously never won an Emmy, but Stephen Colbert can thank the president for helping him win another statuette. The story of this category was written as soon as CBS canceled Colbert’s show this summer, ostensibly for budgetary reasons—though TV insiders (and politicians like Elizabeth Warren) suspect the then-pending merger between Paramount and Skydance could have been a contributing factor as well. Colbert will enter the Emmys as both an elder statesman and something of a martyr; winning this award also guarantees he’ll have an opportunity to deliver a stirring speech onstage. And you know this man can deliver a speech. —HB

OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES – JOHN

PREDICTED WINNER: Last Week Tonight With John OliverSaturday Night Live

They always give this award to John Oliver, and they always will. SNL mounted a full-court press for its 50th anniversary, complete with legacy cast reunions and promotional blitz, but only Bowen Yang snagged an individual nomination—a telling sign of voter enthusiasm. The sketch institution might find better luck in the Variety Special (Live) category, where it has two nominations—one for the Homecoming Concert and the other for the Anniversary Special. Although even in that category it has competition from Beyoncé Bowl. —JR

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