Los Angeles: Television’s biggest night delivered surprises and firsts, as The Pitt claimed the Emmy Award for best drama series and The Studio was named best comedy, in a ceremony filled with emotional speeches, political messages, and farewells.
HBO’s (WBD.O) medical drama The Pitt pulled off the night’s biggest upset, beating Apple TV+’s (AAPL.O) Severance, which had led with the most nominations.
Star Noah Wyle, long associated with ER, finally captured his first Emmy after five previous nominations. “Wow. What a dream this has been,” Wyle said, dedicating his award to healthcare workers. “To anyone going on shift or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job.”
Two first-time Emmy winners. One incredible episode.
Congratulations to Adolescence’s Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty. | 📸: getty pic.twitter.com/10F6g8nItU
— Netflix (@netflix) September 15, 2025
Seth Rogen, co-creator and star of Apple TV+’s The Studio, also earned his first Emmy, winning best comedy actor. The show, a satirical take on Hollywood, swept the comedy categories with trophies for acting, directing, and writing.
“I’m legitimately embarrassed by how happy this makes me,” Rogen joked as he accepted the award with producing partner Evan Goldberg.
In a bittersweet moment, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won best talk series for the first time in its decade-long run. The win came just months after CBS announced it would cancel the show for financial reasons.
Colbert thanked his employer warmly that, “I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege of being part of the late-night tradition, which I hope continues for a long time.” Later, presenting an award, he quipped to the audience: “While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?”
Netflix took home the award for best limited series with Adolescence, a dark drama about a teen accused of murder. Its young star, 15-year-old Owen Cooper, became the youngest-ever winner of best supporting actor in a limited series.
Adolescence wins 8 Emmy awards including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Starring Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters, and Christine Tremarco. Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. Directed by Philip Barantini. pic.twitter.com/ps5kBiyq1m
— Netflix (@netflix) September 15, 2025
“I was nothing three years ago,” Cooper said, crediting drama classes with transforming his life. “If you listen and you focus and step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything.”
Jeff Hiller was a surprise winner of best supporting comedy actor for HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. Thanking network executives, he quipped about his unconventional role that, “Thanks for putting sweaty, middle-aged people on the same network as the sexy teens of Euphoria.”
The Hacks duo of Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder continued the show’s strong Emmy run. Smart earned her fourth Emmy for her role, while Einbinder secured her first after three prior nominations. Ending her speech, Einbinder drew loud applause with the night’s rare political note: “Free Palestine.”
HBO and Netflix tied for the lead with 30 awards each, while Apple TV+ secured 22. Winners were chosen by the 26,000-member Television Academy.
First-time host Nate Bargatze kept the night lively, offering $100,000 charity incentives for short speeches, with deductions for those who ran long. By the end, he announced the tally had left him in deficit, but confirmed he and CBS would still donate $350,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
