It’s mildly surprising, but the 2025 Emmy Award season appears slightly less competitive in regards to the series categories than previous years. That’s partially because of the decline of Peak TV, some excellent series that continue to be ignored by the industry, and, well, some expected contenders that have not lived up to the quality of earlier seasons (hey, it happens). That being said, at publication, the Drama Series field is perhaps the spiciest of the top three categories.
READ MORE: “The White Lotus” season 3 finale: Once again, money wins
The two shows that are seemingly guaranteed to earn nominations are “Severance,” Apple TV+’s biggest hit since “Ted Lasso,” and Mike White’s “The White Lotus,” which has delivered record viewership for HBO in its third season. In theory, the next four nominees should make it, but are not guaranteed. “The Last of Us” has returned for a heartbreaking second season with a storyline faithful to the video game, Tony Gilroy’s “Andor” season two is the most critically acclaimed series of the year so far, “The Pitt” has been a populist hit for MAX, and Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” has been a safe guild and Emmy staple for the past 18 months or so.
The last two slots are more intriguing. In theory, Netflix’s “Squid Game” should return to the fold after massive viewership, but the hype has been somewhat tempered compared to the first go-around. Another Netflix series, “The Diplomat,” was a big fall hit, but will have to count on SAG voters to get through after its six-episode second season was overlooked by PGA and WGA voters. Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” won this category in 2017 for its inaugural season, but hasn’t been nominated since season four in 2021. That being said, its sixth and final turn has the best reviews since season two in 2018. Will that matter? Maybe. Another Hulu success, “Paradise,” has a legitimate shot, but may not have been a big enough hit for the Disney division to overcome the Netflix/HBO/Apple TV+ Emmy machines. Lastly, “Yellowjackets” is a Showtime and Paramount+ staple that could sneak in. It was previously nominated in 2022 and 2023.
In theory, despite a very polarizing season, “House of the Dragon” could also earn its second nomination based on the viewership and the continuing popularity of “Game of Thrones,” but it won’t be easy. Peacock is hoping another unexpected success, “The Day of the Jackal,” can use its surprising SAG Awards nominations as a springboard to give the streamer its first Drama Series nominee. [Posted April 23]

LOCKS
“Severance”
“The White Lotus”
LIKELY
“The Last of Us”
“Andor”
“The Pitt”
“Slow Horses”
ALMOST THERE
“Squid Game”
“The Diplomat”
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
“Paradise”
“Yellowjackets”
LONGSHOTS
“House of the Dragon”
“The Day of the Jackal”
“Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”
“Industry”
“Landman”
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