You know how we know Peak TV is over? After five years of incredibly intense campaigns to even come close to earning a Limited or Anthology nomination, let alone win, the race for 2025 is, shockingly, tempered. Yes, the love for quality, prestige Limited Series is waning. Granted, there are two major locks for a nod, Netflix’s critical and streaming sensation “Adolescence” and Max’s smash “The Penguin.” Beyond those two titles, the field is very much up for grabs.
READ MORE: Erin Doherty on “Adolescence”: “It Was Everything I Hoped It Would Be” [Interview]
Who might fill the remaining three slots? FX’s “Dying for Sex,” with stellar performances from Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, has excellent reviews, but have enough members watched it? The Ryan Murphy-produced “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” drew massive viewing numbers on Netflix and has spurred the state of California to consider an early release for the convicted murderers. If “Dahmer” could make the cut, “Monsters’ should, no? Alfonso Cuaron’s “Disclaimer” features great work from Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, among others, but wasn’t the year-end guild player you would have expected before its Venice Film Festival premiere. Another Apple TV+ player, “Presumed Innocent,” was a buzzworthy summer surprise, but that “summer” 2024 release (the final episode dropped the end of July) might be its undoing. FX also has a player in “Say Nothing,” which earned fantastic notices, but has gone massively under-the-radar among industry viewers (so far).
READ MORE: Drama Series Emmys 2025 Predictions and Contenders
And then there are four, yes, four other Netflix contenders waiting in the wings. Could a new season of “Black Mirror” make it based on pedigree and the Netflix bump? Sure. Could other Netflix players, such as “Zero Day” and “Apple Cider Vinegar,” also crash the party? Maybe. Even the late May dropping “Sirens” with Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Kevin Bacon could sneak in. That being said, are any of these contenders beating “Adolescence” for the Emmy? Yeah, that’s not happening. Biggest lock of the night and we’re five months out. [Posted April 24]
LOCKS
“Adolescence”
“The Penguin”
LIKELY
“Dying For Sex”
READ MORE: Comedy Series Emmys 2025 Predictions & Contenders
ALMOST THERE
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”
“Disclaimer”
“Say Nothing”
“Presumed Innocent”
“Black Mirror”
“Zero Day”
“Dope Thief”
“Sirens”
“Apple Cider Vinegar”
“Good American Family”
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