Lights, Camera, Emmys: How The Pitt, Adolescence, and The Penguin Defined 2025’s Big Night
By: Ali Pourbehzadi
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, was a night that celebrated television’s past, present, and future with a mix of fresh victories, emotional farewells, and a touch of humor. Hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze in his first major awards show role, the ceremony aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, pulling in 7.42 million viewers—an 8% jump from last year and the highest audience since 2021, when CBS last hosted the event. This viewership boost reflected a renewed interest in awards shows, even as the TV industry navigates streaming wars and production challenges.The night belonged to new series and bold performances. Apple TV+’s sharp workplace comedy The Studio, starring Seth Rogen as a harried studio executive, made history by winning 13 Emmys overall, including those from the Creative Arts ceremonies, setting a record for the most wins by a comedy series in a single year. HBO’s intense medical drama The Pitt claimed the coveted outstanding drama series award, while Netflix’s gripping limited series Adolescence dominated the limited/anthology categories with eight wins, cementing its status as a critical powerhouse. HBO’s The Penguin, a dark Batman spin-off led by Colin Farrell’s chilling portrayal of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, also shone, picking up nine total awards, though most came from the Creative Arts categories.Adolescence, Netflix’s four-part crime drama about a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate, premiered on March 13, 2025, and struck a chord with its raw exploration of guilt, family turmoil, and the toxic influence of online “alpha male” culture on youth. Its Emmy sweep included wins for lead actor Stephen Graham, who also took home awards for writing and producing, as well as supporting actor Owen Cooper, who at 15 became the youngest male Emmy winner ever. Supporting actress Erin Doherty also won, rounding out the series’ dominant showing. The Penguin, which premiered in September 2024, brought Gotham’s underbelly to life with its gritty storytelling. While it didn’t win outstanding limited series, Cristin Milioti’s haunting performance as Sofia Falcone earned her the lead actress award, the show’s only primetime victory.The team from “Adolescence,” winners of the award for outstanding limited or anthology series, pose in the press room during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
Nominees and Winners
In the drama categories, The Pitt beat out heavyweights like Severance, The Last of Us, Andor, The Diplomat, Paradise, Slow Horses, and The White Lotus for outstanding drama series. Noah Wyle, at 54, won his first Emmy for lead actor as a doctor in The Pitt, a career milestone that resonated with the audience. Katherine LaNasa took lead actress for the same show. Severance wasn’t shut out, though—Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win supporting actor in a drama, and Britt Lower claimed supporting actress, both for their roles in the dystopian thriller. Comedy saw The Studio triumph over Abbott Elementary, Hacks, The Rehearsal, Somebody Somewhere, and What We Do in the Shadows. Seth Rogen won lead actor, joking in his speech about feeling “embarrassed” by his own excitement. Jean Smart continued her reign, winning lead actress for Hacks—her seventh career Emmy and fourth for the role. Supporting comedy awards went to Jeff Hiller for Somebody Somewhere, whose heartfelt speech charmed the crowd, and Hannah Einbinder for Hacks, who used her first win after four nominations to call for a free Palestine, one of the night’s few political moments.Seth Rogen accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award during the 77th Primetime Emmy AwardsThe limited series race was stacked, with Adolescence outpacing Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and The Penguin. Beyond acting, Adolescence won for directing (Philip Barantini) and writing (Graham and Jack Thorne). The Penguin secured technical wins like cinematography and production design in the Creative Arts Emmys, reflecting its visual prowess. Elsewhere, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won outstanding talk series, a bittersweet victory as CBS had canceled the show months earlier. Colbert’s speech about loving something more when it’s at risk of being lost hit hard.Cristin Milioti accepts the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for “The Penguin” onstage during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
Highlights
The ceremony itself was a blend of nostalgia and forward-looking energy. Bargatze opened with a sketch alongside SNL stars Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson, reimagining his viral George Washington bit as a riff on TV pioneer Philo T. Farnsworth grappling with modern streaming chaos. The show leaned into TV history with reunions from Gilmore Girls (Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop), Law & Order (Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni), Grey’s Anatomy, and Everybody Loves Raymond, delighting fans. A unique twist encouraged winners to keep speeches under 45 seconds to boost a $350,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, leading to a flurry of quick, heartfelt thanks. Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for their philanthropy, adding a warm note to the evening. Standout moments included Hiller’s unexpected win over comedy heavyweights, Einbinder’s bold speech, and the emotional weight of The Late Show’s victory. The Emmys also stayed relatively apolitical compared to past years, focusing on celebration over controversy. Netflix and HBO tied for the most network wins, but Apple TV+’s The Studio and Severance signaled the streamer’s growing clout.The 2025 Emmys were more than an awards show—they were a snapshot of television’s resilience and reinvention. As The Studio set records, Adolescence and The Penguin showcased the depth of limited series, and veterans like Jean Smart shared the stage with newcomers like Owen Cooper, the night underscored TV’s ability to captivate and connect. With 7.42 million viewers tuning in, the ceremony reminded us why we love television: it tells our stories, challenges our perspectives, and brings us together. As the industry looks ahead, the 2025 Emmys will stand as a milestone, celebrating where TV has been and where it’s boldly going.
5 Responses
ChatGPT said:
“Loved reading this, it’s so refreshing to see real talent and creativity being celebrated at the Amy Awards. Feels like a reminder of why great storytelling still matters.”
Loved reading this, covered the awards very well, it’s so refreshing to see real talent and creativity being celebrated at the Amy Awards. Feels like a reminder of why great storytelling still matters.
The night belonged to new series and bold performances. Apple TV+’s sharp workplace comedy The Studio, starring Seth Rogen as a harried studio executive, made history by winning 13 Emmys overall, including those from the Creative Arts ceremonies, setting a record for the most wins by a comedy series in a single year. HBO’s intense medical drama The Pitt claimed the coveted outstanding drama series award, while Netflix’s gripping limited series Adolescence dominated the limited/anthology categories with eight wins, cementing its status as a critical powerhouse. HBO’s The Penguin, a dark Batman spin-off led by Colin Farrell’s chilling portrayal of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, also shone, picking up nine total awards, though most came from the Creative Arts categories.
Adolescence, Netflix’s four-part crime drama about a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate, premiered on March 13, 2025, and struck a chord with its raw exploration of guilt, family turmoil, and the toxic influence of online “alpha male” culture on youth. Its Emmy sweep included wins for lead actor Stephen Graham, who also took home awards for writing and producing, as well as supporting actor Owen Cooper, who at 15 became the youngest male Emmy winner ever. Supporting actress Erin Doherty also won, rounding out the series’ dominant showing. The Penguin, which premiered in September 2024, brought Gotham’s underbelly to life with its gritty storytelling. While it didn’t win outstanding limited series, Cristin Milioti’s haunting performance as Sofia Falcone earned her the lead actress award, the show’s only primetime victory.
The team from “Adolescence,” winners of the award for outstanding limited or anthology series, pose in the press room during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 2025 Emmys were more than an awards show—they were a snapshot of television’s resilience and reinvention. As The Studio set records, Adolescence and The Penguin showcased the depth of limited series, and veterans like Jean Smart shared the stage with newcomers like Owen Cooper, the night underscored TV’s ability to captivate and connect. With 7.42 million viewers tuning in, the ceremony reminded us why we love television: it tells our stories, challenges our perspectives, and brings us together. As the industry looks ahead, the 2025 Emmys will stand as a milestone, celebrating where TV has been and where it’s boldly going. 
ChatGPT said:
“Loved reading this, it’s so refreshing to see real talent and creativity being celebrated at the Amy Awards. Feels like a reminder of why great storytelling still matters.”
Loved reading this, covered the awards very well, it’s so refreshing to see real talent and creativity being celebrated at the Amy Awards. Feels like a reminder of why great storytelling still matters.
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