The 2025 Emmy Awards, held on September 14, delivered a night of surprises, upsets, and history-making moments that left audiences and nominees alike both stunned and delighted. While the ceremony began with a sense of predictability, it quickly veered off script, as underdogs claimed the spotlight and long-anticipated wins slipped through the fingers of seasoned favorites. With AppleTV+’s twisty drama Severance leading the pack with 27 nominations, expectations were sky-high for certain stars—yet the evening proved that, at the Emmys, nothing is ever guaranteed.
One of the earliest and most talked-about upsets came in the best actress in a drama category. According to CBS, industry watchers had pegged Kathy Bates as a sure bet to win, but it was Britt Lower of Severance who took home the statuette for her performance as Helly/Helena. Lower herself seemed genuinely taken aback by the win, her surprise mirroring that of the audience. This award, coming just moments after her castmate Tramell Tillman’s victory for best supporting actor in a drama, signaled that Severance was poised for a banner night. The consecutive wins for the AppleTV+ series underscored its dominance and the industry’s recognition of its complex storytelling and standout performances.
But the surprises hardly stopped there. In a twist that had social media abuzz, Hannah Einbinder snagged the best supporting actress trophy for her role in Hacks. As reported by CBS, many had expected the award to go to Catherine O’Hara, already a beloved figure with previous acting and writing wins for Schitt’s Creek and Second City Television. Einbinder, who had been zero for three in this category before the ceremony, delivered a humor-filled acceptance speech, joking that she had anticipated extending her losing streak to zero for four. Her speech—one of the longest of the night up to that point—set a playful tone and reminded viewers that the Emmys are as much about unpredictability as they are about excellence.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the night, though, came courtesy of the best supporting actor in a comedy category. Harrison Ford, the legendary actor known for his iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, was widely considered the favorite for his performance in Shrinking. According to Gold Derby, Ford was in second place on the odds leaderboard, just behind Ike Barinholtz of The Studio. Jeff Hiller, by contrast, was a long shot, ranked fifth with a mere 0.5% chance of winning. Yet when the envelope was opened, it was Hiller’s name that was called for his role in the HBO series Somebody Somewhere.
Hiller’s win was met with genuine astonishment, both from the audience and from Hiller himself. In his acceptance speech, as reported by Gold Derby, Hiller quipped, “I just want to say thank you to HBO for putting a show about sweaty, middle-aged people as the sexy teens of Euphoria,” drawing laughter and applause. He went on to credit the show’s creators for making a series “about connecting and love in this time when compassion is seen as a weakness.” Saving his most heartfelt thanks for his co-star, Hiller added, “You changed my life and you told so many people to believe in themselves and they do,” in a direct message to Somebody Somewhere star Bridget Everett. The sincerity and humility of Hiller’s speech resonated deeply, especially given the odds he had overcome to secure the win.
For Harrison Ford, the night was bittersweet. At age 83, Ford was a first-time Emmy nominee, and many in the industry and among his fans had hoped to see him finally clinch a major acting award. Ford’s storied career includes a Best Actor nomination at the 58th Academy Awards for Witness in 1986, multiple Golden Globe nods—including for The Mosquito Coast, The Fugitive, and Sabrina—and the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2002 Golden Globes. Yet, as Gold Derby noted, Ford’s luck at major awards ceremonies has often run cold. In a wry nod to his history, Ford once joked in an acceptance speech, “My luck is holding — I’m nominated in a category where the competition is dead,” a line that drew chuckles but also highlighted the elusive nature of such honors in his career. The Emmy for Shrinking would have marked a crowning achievement, but for now, Ford’s streak continues.
Elsewhere in the ceremony, some early favorites did manage to convert their nominations into wins. As CBS reported, Seth Rogen took home the award for best actor in a comedy for his performance in The Office, and Jean Smart won best actress in a comedy for her role in Hacks. Both actors delivered their speeches within the 45-second acceptance window encouraged by host Nate Bargatze, who joked that he’d reduce his donation to the Boys and Girls Club of America for every speech that ran long. The combination of expected wins and unexpected upsets kept viewers guessing and added a lively energy to the proceedings.
Behind the scenes, the night’s results sparked conversation about the unpredictability of awards shows and the value of recognizing a diverse array of talent. Hiller’s triumph, in particular, was a reminder that sometimes the industry’s biggest stages can shine a light on performances and stories that might otherwise be overlooked. As he made his way down the red carpet earlier in the evening, Hiller admitted to Gold Derby that he was “in awe” just to be at the ceremony and was especially excited to meet Melissa Peterman from Reba. His humility and gratitude, coupled with his surprise win, offered a refreshing counterpoint to the high-stakes drama of awards season predictions.
For the cast and creators of Severance, the night’s dual victories for Britt Lower and Tramell Tillman were a testament to the series’ impact and the depth of its ensemble. The AppleTV+ drama’s 27 nominations had set the stage for a potentially historic sweep, and while not every expectation was fulfilled, the show’s achievements were undeniable. The Emmys’ willingness to reward both established icons and relative newcomers alike made for a ceremony that was as emotionally resonant as it was entertaining.
In the end, the 2025 Emmys will be remembered for upending conventional wisdom and celebrating the unexpected. Whether it was a beloved veteran missing out on a long-awaited win, or a long shot seizing their moment in the spotlight, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder that in television—much like in life—anything can happen when the lights go up and the envelopes are opened.
