The 77th Emmy Awards: Shocking Predictions And 7 Major Contenders Set To Dominate The 2025 Nominations

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The race for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards has never been more competitive, with an unprecedented lineup of critically acclaimed series debuting inside the eligibility window. As of late December 2025, the buzz is deafening for a handful of returning heavyweights and fresh-faced limited series that are guaranteed to reshape the nominations landscape. The eligibility period for the 2025 Emmys—covering programs that aired between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025—has yielded a crop of television so strong that the final list of nominees is sure to spark intense debate among awards columnists and fans alike. This year’s field is defined by the long-awaited return of prestige dramas and the stunning third seasons of comedy darlings, all vying for the industry’s highest honor.

The nominations, which will be announced in mid-2026, are expected to be dominated by Apple TV+ and HBO, with several shows poised to rack up double-digit nominations. The sheer volume of groundbreaking storytelling, particularly in the Drama and Limited Series categories, means several past winners will be facing their toughest competition yet. We've compiled the definitive guide to the major contenders and the specific categories where the most shocking upsets and historic wins are likely to occur.

Bella Ramsey: Biography, Filmography, and 2025 Emmy Contender Profile

One of the most talked-about performers of the 2025 Emmy cycle is undoubtedly Bella Ramsey, whose return to the screen in a highly anticipated second season has solidified their status as a generational talent. Their journey from a breakout role to a leading Emmy contender is a testament to their powerful, nuanced acting.

  • Full Name: Isabella May Ramsey
  • Born: September 25, 2003, in Nottingham, England
  • Pronouns: They/Them
  • Breakthrough Role: Lyanna Mormont in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2016–2019). Their performance as the fierce, young noblewoman earned them critical praise and a massive global following.
  • Major Filmography:
    • The Worst Witch (2017–2020) - Mildred Hubble
    • His Dark Materials (2020) - Angelica
    • Catherine Called Birdy (2022) - Lady Catherine (Birdy)
    • The Last of Us (2023–2025) - Ellie Williams
    • Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023) - Molly (Voice Role)
  • Emmy History: Ramsey made history in 2023 by becoming the first non-binary actor to be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for their work in the first season of The Last of Us.
  • 2025 Contention: Their performance in The Last of Us Season 2, which premiered on April 13, 2025, is widely predicted to earn them a second consecutive nomination in the Lead Actress category. Critics have praised their deepening portrayal of Ellie Williams’s trauma and complex emotional journey.

The Definitive List: 7 Major Shows Poised to Dominate the 2025 Emmy Nominations

The 77th Emmy Awards are shaping up to be a battle between established giants and sophomore seasons with massive critical momentum. These seven series are generating the most significant buzz and are predicted to secure nominations across the major categories, including Outstanding Series, Directing, Writing, and all acting fields.

1. Outstanding Drama Series: A Clash of Titans

This category is the most packed, featuring three of the most anticipated returns in recent television history. The competition is fierce, meaning a few former nominees are likely to be squeezed out.

  • The Last of Us (Season 2, HBO): Fully eligible with a finale airing in May 2025, the second season is a guaranteed juggernaut. The show is a lock for Outstanding Drama Series, with strong acting contenders in Bella Ramsey (Lead Actress) and Pedro Pascal (Lead Actor). The expanded narrative and deeper emotional stakes are expected to appeal massively to Television Academy voters.
  • Severance (Season 2, Apple TV+): After a three-year wait, the return of the sci-fi thriller was met with universal praise. Its unique, mind-bending premise and stellar ensemble cast, including Adam Scott and Britt Lower, make it a top-tier contender for Outstanding Drama Series. Predictions suggest it could lead the overall nomination count for a drama.
  • House of the Dragon (Season 2, HBO): The Game of Thrones prequel’s second season is an expected nominee. While its critical reception may not reach the heights of the top two, its massive scale, production values, and the performances of its ensemble cast ensure it will be a major presence in technical and supporting acting categories.
  • The Penguin (Limited Series/Drama, HBO Max): While technically a spin-off, this series’ dark, cinematic quality and Colin Farrell’s transformative lead performance are generating significant buzz. It could either compete in Limited Series (if structured as such) or potentially crash the Drama race, making it a key entity to watch.

2. Outstanding Comedy Series: The Battle of the Kitchen and the Stage

The Comedy Series race is a close battle between two previous winners, both returning with highly-anticipated new seasons.

  • The Bear (Season 3, FX on Hulu): With a June 2024 premiere date, this season is fully eligible and a frontrunner. While some initial critical reception has been debated on its classification (is it a comedy or a drama?), its status as an actors' favorite and a previous series winner makes it nearly unstoppable. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are all expected to secure acting nominations again.
  • Hacks (Season 3, HBO Max): The critically adored series starring Jean Smart returned with a strong third season. Its consistent quality and the industry’s love for Smart and co-star Hannah Einbinder make it a virtual lock for Outstanding Comedy Series and multiple acting nods.
  • Only Murders in the Building (Season 4, Hulu): The star power of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, coupled with the show's charming mystery format, ensures its continued presence in the nominations. It remains a major contender, especially in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category for its two veteran stars.

Key Acting Contenders and Potential Upsets: The Supporting Races

The supporting acting categories are notoriously difficult to predict, often leading to the biggest surprises on nomination morning. The depth of talent in the 2025 field is staggering, providing numerous opportunities for breakout stars and veteran actors to finally receive their due.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

This category is arguably the most competitive. While Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal anchor the lead roles for The Last of Us, the supporting cast is expected to draw major attention. Potential nominees include the returning cast of Severance, particularly Britt Lower, whose dual-role performance in Season 2 was a masterclass in subtlety and tension. The new additions to the House of the Dragon cast will also be strong contenders, as will any standout guest performances in the major drama series.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

The men of The Bear—Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Lionel Boyce—will face tough competition from veterans like Martin Short and Steve Martin (who may be submitted as leads or supports, depending on the strategy). The strength of the ensemble in Hacks also ensures a strong showing, with key supporting players likely to secure nominations. The overall topical authority of these three shows is so high that they will dominate the comedy acting fields.

The Limited Series Dark Horses

While the Drama and Comedy races are dominated by returning series, the Limited Series category often provides the freshest blood. While the search results mention *Black Mirror* Season 7 and *Monsters* as contenders, the true dark horses are often prestige projects that air late in the eligibility window. The key entity to watch here is any new, critically lauded miniseries from a major streamer (Netflix, HBO, or Hulu) that features an A-list ensemble cast. These often sweep the acting categories due to the contained nature of the performance.

The 2025 Emmy nominations will serve as a definitive barometer for the state of modern television. With powerhouse seasons from Severance, The Last of Us, and The Bear all converging in the same cycle, the final list of nominees will be a thrilling, and potentially controversial, reflection of the industry’s best work over the past year. Fans and awards trackers are eagerly awaiting the nomination announcement to see which of these highly-touted series will ultimately be crowned the Television Academy’s favorites.

The 77th Emmy Awards: Shocking Predictions and 7 Major Contenders Set to Dominate the 2025 Nominations
emmy nominations 2025
emmy nominations 2025

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