The 2025 Emmy Awards held on September 14, 2025, delivered plenty of unexpected wins and surprising losses. While some favorites took home awards, other highly nominated shows and stars were completely shut out. From first-time winners making history to shows that didn’t win a single award, here are the biggest snubs and surprises of the night.
The Pitt Beats Severance for Outstanding Drama
One of the night’s biggest surprises was The Pitt winning Outstanding Drama Series. The medical drama, streaming on HBO Max, beat frontrunner Severance, which had received 27 nominations—the most of any show this year. Despite Severance’s high concept and critical acclaim, The Pitt’s gritty storytelling and modest budget resonated with voters. The show also won awards for Noah Wyle (Lead Actor) and Katherine LaNasa (Supporting Actress), cementing its underdog victory.
Shock Comedy Supporting Actor Win
Jeff Hiller won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Somebody Somewhere. This was a major upset, as Hiller beat predicted winners like Harrison Ford (Shrinking) and Ike Barinholtz (The Studio). Hiller, a first-time nominee, seemed stunned during his emotional acceptance speech, saying, “I feel like I’m going to cry.” His win was one of the most unexpected moments of the night.
White Lotus Shut Out Completely
Despite its past success and multiple nominations, The White Lotus was completely shut out at this year’s Emmys. The HBO series, which had won 16 awards in previous seasons, failed to secure a single win. Its cast, including Carrie Coon and Walton Goggins, lost in supporting categories to winners from The Pitt and Severance. This was especially surprising given the show’s strong buzz and critical praise.
The Bear’s Surprising Losses
The Bear, which had dominated awards in previous years, also left empty-handed. Despite 13 nominations, the FX series didn’t win any awards during the main ceremony or the Creative Arts Emmys. Stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri lost in lead and supporting categories, while the show itself was beaten by The Studio for Outstanding Comedy Series. This was a sharp contrast to its previous Emmy success.
Britt Lower’s Upset Win Over Kathy Bates
Britt Lower won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Severance, defeating veteran actress Kathy Bates (Matlock). Bates, a 14-time nominee and two-time Emmy winner, was widely expected to win. Lower’s victory was seen as a major upset, though some experts had considered it a possibility. During her speech, Lower subtly nodded to her show by writing “Let me out” on the back of her notes—a reference to her character’s storyline.
Stephen Graham’s Limited Series Win
Stephen Graham won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Adolescence, beating Colin Farrell (The Penguin). Farrell had been heavily favored to win, but Graham’s powerful performance in the Netflix crime drama impressed voters. Graham, who also co-wrote the series, used his speech to spread a positive message, saying, “Give your mates a cuddle or a kiss.” Adolescence dominated the limited series categories, winning six awards overall.
Unexpected Writing and Directing Wins
The writing and directing awards also held surprises. Dan Gilroy won Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Andor, beating contenders from Severance and The Pitt. Similarly, Adam Randall won Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Slow Horses, a win that was considered a real shocker. Gilroy acknowledged the surprise during his speech, saying, “I think a lot of people were surprised, it was unexpected.”
Also Read: Tramell Tillman Becomes First Black Man to Win Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama
Credits: Deadline
