Emmys 2025 Recap: Drama Prize Goes to ‘The Pitt,’ Comedy Honors to ‘The Studio’

77th Emmy Awards: ‘The Pitt’ Takes Top Drama, ‘The Studio’ Dominates Comedy

Triumph for “The Pitt”

At the 77th Emmy Awards on Sunday night, HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt pulled off a major surprise, taking home the award for Best Drama. The low-budget series managed to beat Apple TV+’s Severance, which entered the evening as the presumed frontrunner thanks to its larger budget, A-list cast, and numerous nominations.

Noah Wyle, whose career had quieted in recent years, celebrated his first Emmy win for Best Actor in a Drama, playing a hardened emergency doctor. His last nomination came over two decades ago for his role in ER. “What an incredible dream this has been,” Wyle said on stage. Katherine LaNasa, who plays a supporting role in The Pitt, also secured her first Emmy, overcoming competition that included four actresses from The White Lotus.

A Breakout Night for “The Studio”

Apple TV+ still had plenty to celebrate, thanks to its Hollywood satire The Studio. The series won Best Comedy and gave Seth Rogen, both star and producer, a dominant night at the awards. Rogen left the stage with four trophies — for acting, directing, writing, and producing. “It’s getting embarrassing,” he joked while accepting Best Comedy.

The show, which had already swept nine technical and guest acting categories at the Creative Arts Emmys, broke the record for most comedy wins in a single year, surpassing The Bear.

“Adolescence” Rules the Limited Series Field

Netflix’s surprise hit Adolescence came out on top in the limited series categories, winning six awards on Sunday night. The show, developed by Netflix’s U.K. division, earned recognition for Best Limited Series, Best Actor (Stephen Graham), Best Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty), Best Writing, and Best Directing.

Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) was the only performer able to break Adolescence’s sweep, winning Best Actress in a Limited Series.

Stephen Colbert’s Standing Ovations

One of the most emotional moments of the night came when The Late Show With Stephen Colbert — canceled by CBS earlier this year — won Best Talk Series for the first time. Colbert received thunderous applause when presenting the first award of the night, with chants of “Stephen! Stephen!” filling the theater. Taking the stage again for his Emmy win, Colbert joked, “While I’ve got your attention, is anyone hiring?”

Although CBS claimed the cancellation was strictly financial, many in the industry speculated about political motives.

Wins for “Severance” and “Hacks”

Despite losing Best Drama, Severance still earned two acting trophies: Britt Lower won Best Actress in a Drama, while Tramell Tillman was honored as Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.

Meanwhile, HBO Max’s Hacks added to its legacy. Jean Smart won her fourth Emmy for the series and her seventh overall, while co-star Hannah Einbinder finally claimed her first award after multiple nominations.

Honoring Television’s Past

The ceremony also included several tributes to beloved series like Law & Order, Grey’s Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, and The Golden Girls. In a heartfelt moment, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, a rare honor given only once every few years.

Why “The Pitt” Stood Out

Set during a single 15-hour shift in a Pittsburgh trauma center, The Pitt blends real-time storytelling with intense medical drama. Critics initially feared the format might be a gimmick, but its urgency and focus won over both audiences and industry insiders.

The show portrays doctors as deeply human yet heroic, striking a chord with real healthcare workers. With 13 nominations going into the night — including two wins at the Creative Arts Emmys — The Pitt proved it could thrive against heavyweights like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, The Diplomat, Andor, and Slow Horses.

During the acceptance speech, cast and crew dedicated the win to frontline workers, urging viewers to “respect them, protect them, and trust them.”