Pop quiz: Which TV collection obtained the second-most Emmy nominations in 2025? “The Studio”? “The White Lotus”? “Adolescence”? No, no, and no. The closest to “Severance” and its main 27 nominations is “The Penguin” with 24 whole nods. “The Studio” netted 23 nominations, the identical as “The White Lotus,” whereas “Adolescence” trails three extra exhibits (“The Final of Us,” “Andor,” and “Hacks”), netting the identical variety of whole nominations as “The Bear” and “The Pitt,” with 13 every.
So why is there a lot buzz round “Adolescence”?
The quick reply: Netflix. Co-creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s British crime drama has change into the second most-watched collection ever made for the streaming large, and whereas these self-reported scores shouldn’t be taken with out a hefty grain of salt, there’s no denying the four-part program’s immense reputation. Buoyed by breakout performances, real-time episodes, and analyzing each mother or father’s worst fears, “Adolescence” is a official sensation — and one which awards voters are desperate to embrace.
Fewer episodes and a extra sensible manufacturing contributed to fewer whole nominations than its fellow restricted collection chief — it’s arduous to get a number of administrators nominated when your present solely used one, simply because it’s difficult to earn recognition for hairstyling or make-up when your lead character isn’t spending half-a-day within the stylists’ chair. However make no mistake: “Adolescence” is the restricted collection frontrunner. Gold Derby specialists unanimously predict it to win Excellent Restricted Collection, Supporting Actor, Directing, and Writing, amongst different classes the place it’s favored.
So, like we did with our different class leaders, consideration should flip away from what’s trending and towards what’s proper. What number of Emmys ought to “Adolescence” truly win? The essential darling is competing in 11 classes (12, should you rely Excellent Brief Kind Nonfiction or Actuality Collection, the place its “Making Of” doc is nominated — and no, we’re not counting that one). In a yr the place its opponents aren’t precisely on par with “Angels in America” or “Watchmen” — the very best of the very best restricted collection — ought to it win 11 trophies?
Every class is exclusive. Every group of nominees has their very own plusses and minuses. Hopefully, TV Academy members use the breakdown beneath as a helpful useful resource, whereas followers reference it earlier than gauging their pleasure and/or disappointment when the winners are introduced on September 14.
Possibly you’ll disagree with just a few picks. Possibly you’ll be stunned by just a few others. (I do know I used to be.) However we’ll all be higher knowledgeable come Emmys night time — and hopefully voters lengthy earlier than that. So let’s get to it.
Type word: For classes the place every nominated program consists of a number of particular person artists, not all names are listed. It’s only a area concern. Full credit could be discovered on the Emmys’ web site.