Apple TV+ has shattered records at the 77th Emmy Awards with an unprecedented 81 nominations across 14 of its original titles, marking a milestone for the streaming platform. Leading the charge is the critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller Severance, which emerged as the most-nominated series this year, securing 27 nominations. Meanwhile, the freshman comedy series The Studio made history by earning 23 nominations, the highest ever for a rookie comedy.
The announcement, made on July 16, 2025, has sent ripples through the television industry, highlighting Apple TV+ as a formidable contender alongside established giants like Netflix and HBO. Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video, expressed immense pride in the achievement, stating, "Everyone at Apple is celebrating the talent, creativity, and hard work of all of our Emmy nominees this morning. Severance and The Studio have exceeded our wildest expectations in earning the most nominations for both drama and comedy series, alongside the phenomenal Shrinking and Slow Horses. These shows have connected deeply with audiences around the world, and we’re incredibly appreciative to the Television Academy for recognizing the breadth of storytelling that has been an honor for us to champion. We send our warmest congratulations to all of today’s nominees."
Severance’s 27 nominations span a wide array of categories, underscoring its creative and performative strengths. The show is nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, with Adam Scott and Britt Lower recognized for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, respectively. The ensemble cast, including Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette, also earned nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories. Guest stars Gwendoline Christie, Merritt Wever, and Jane Alexander have been acknowledged for their compelling performances, adding further prestige to the series.
Behind the scenes, Severance has secured nods for directing, with Ben Stiller and Jessica Lee Gagné recognized for their work on the season finale, and Dan Erickson honored for Outstanding Writing. The series also impressed in technical categories such as cinematography, music supervision, sound editing and mixing, stunts, and visual effects. However, it notably missed out on nominations for costumes, hairstyling, and makeup, despite its distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic that has captivated fans and critics alike.
While the show’s nominations have been widely celebrated, not all fans were satisfied. Dichen Lachman, who plays wellness counsellor Ms. Casey, was conspicuously absent from the nominations, sparking a wave of disappointment and outrage on social media. Fans took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their disbelief, with comments such as "27 nominations for Severance? That is INCREDIBLE but NONE for Dichen Lachman?" and "Dichen Lachman deserves SO MUCH MORE." The star herself has remained silent on the matter as anticipation builds for the Emmy ceremony scheduled for September 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
The Studio, Apple TV+’s breakout comedy, tied the record for the most nominations ever received by a freshman comedy series with 23 nods. The series is up for Outstanding Comedy Series, with Seth Rogen earning nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor, Writing, and Directing. Supporting actors Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, and Catherine O’Hara also received nods, alongside guest stars Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, Martin Scorsese, and Zoë Kravitz. Notably, the show secured five of the six nominations in the Outstanding Guest Actor category, a testament to its star-studded appeal and sharp writing.
Apple TV+ also made waves with other acclaimed series. Shrinking garnered seven nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and acting nods for Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Michael Urie, and Jessica Williams. The espionage drama Slow Horses earned five nominations, with Gary Oldman recognized for Outstanding Lead Actor, alongside accolades for writing, directing, and casting. This diversity of nominations across genres highlights Apple TV+’s expanding influence in the television landscape.
Beyond series, Apple’s slate of Emmy-nominated projects includes limited series and films such as Presumed Innocent, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Bill Camp among the nominees; Disclaimer starring Cate Blanchett; and Bad Sisters featuring Sharon Horgan. Documentaries and specials like Deaf President Now! and Bono: Stories of Surrender also received recognition, along with two nominations for Apple’s advertising campaigns “Heartstrings” (AirPods Pro) and “Flock” (Apple Privacy).
The competition this year is fierce. Severance faces off against heavyweights such as The White Lotus, which matched The Studio with 23 nominations, The Last of Us, Andor, The Diplomat, Paradise, and The Pitt, a medical procedural led by Noah Wyle with 13 nominations. Despite the crowded field, Severance’s cultural resonance—fueled by intense social media buzz and intricate fan theories—positions it as a strong contender in the Outstanding Drama Series category. Its exploration of themes like work-life separation and corporate control has struck a chord in today’s fragmented media landscape, making it more than just a show but a reflection of modern anxieties.
Apple TV+’s record-breaking 81 nominations not only underscore its growing prominence but also mark it as the only network with multiple titles nominated in both the Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories. With 31 acting nominations, the platform surpassed all others in recognizing performance excellence.
The 77th Emmy Awards ceremony, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, will air on CBS on September 14, 2025. As the television world awaits the results, Apple TV+ stands poised to convert its record nominations into significant wins, further cementing its status as a powerhouse in original content creation.
