HBO’s medical drama “The Pitt” pulled off a minor upset at the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday evening, besting “Severance” to claim the best drama series prize, while Apple TV+’s “The Studio” had a record-setting night as it won for best comedy series.
Netflix’s “Adolescence,” meanwhile, swept nearly all of the prizes in the limited series categories.
Apple TV+’s “Severance” went into Emmy season as the top overall nominee, collecting 27 total nominations, including its nod for outstanding drama series. It was considered a strong favorite to win the drama series prize, but “The Pitt” walked away with the honor, along with a prize for outstanding lead actor for Noah Wyle.
“What a dream this has been, oh my goodness,” Wyle said as he accepted the acting honor on stage at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. It was Wyle’s first career Emmy Award. As he wrapped up his acceptance speech, he gave a shout-out to medical professionals.
“To anybody who’s going on shift tonight or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you,” he said.
“The Pitt” also earned a prize for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for Katherine LaNasa.
“Severance” did earn prizes Sunday for Britt Lower, who won for outstanding lead actress in a drama series — her first win on her first nomination — and for Tramell Tillman, was was named best supporting actor in a drama series.
Dan Gilroy won his first career Emmy for drama series writing for Disney+’s “Andor.” He thanked the legions of “Star Wars” fans for supporting the program.
“I want to thank the fans who did more than watch the show,” he said. “They listened, they cared and they made a story about ordinary people fighting extraordinary odds possible.”
Adam Randall scored the prize for drama series directing for Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses.”
On the comedy front, Seth Rogen’s freshman series “The Studio” about a fictional Hollywood studio head won four awards Sunday. Combined with the nine it had already won in last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies, it gave the show a total of 13 wins, the most ever for a comedy series in a single year. The previous record of 11 was set last year by FX’s “The Bear.”
“I’m legitimately embarrassed by how happy this makes me,” Rogen said as he accepted the outstanding comedy series honor.
Rogen also won Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a comedy, along with a directing prize shared with Evan Goldberg and as part of the show’s writing team.
“I’ve never won anything in my life,” Rogen said when he picked up the acting honor. “When I was a kid I bought a used bowling trophy in an estate sale. … This is really just so lovely, and i feel like i should — I don’t know what to say, this is so nice. I appreciate you all.”
Jean Smart won the prize for outstanding actress in a drama series for her work in “Hacks,” repeating her win from last year. It was her seventh career Emmy, and her fourth for her role on the HBO comedy. Smart’s co-star, Hannah Einbinder, was named best supporting actress in a comedy series, marking her first Emmy win on her fourth nomination.
Einbinder joked that she had been committed to the idea of continuing to lose, but said, “This is cool too. This is also punk rock.” She also thanked the show’s creators, who she said “changed my life in every conceivable way.”
Jeff Hiller won the Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series for “Somebody Somewhere,” also on his first career nomination.
“Adolescence” dominated the limited or anthology series categories. In addition to winning the prize for outstanding limited series, “Adolescence” also earned prizes for lead actor Stephen Graham, who also won a limited series writing prize along with Jack Thorne.
“For me to be here today in front of my peers … is the most humbling thing I can ever imagine in my life and shows that anything is possible,” Graham said.
The show’s 15-year-old Owen Cooper won the award for supporting actor in a limited series.
“This is so surreal,” he said as he collected the prize. “… Tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and step outside your comfort zone you can achieve anything in life.”
Erin Doherty was named best supporting actress in a limited series for her work on the show, and Philip Barantini was named best director for a limited series.
The only limited series honor that didn’t go to “Adolescence” was for lead actress, which went to Cristin Milioti for HBO’s “The Penguin.”
“I loved making this show,” she said. “… Getting to inhabit this woman was a bright spot for me. … Playing her felt like flying.”
Peacock’s “The Traitors” won its second consecutive Emmy for reality competition program.
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” was named outstanding scripted variety series and also won the prize for writing for a variety series.
One of the more interesting twists on Emmy night came in the outstanding talk series category. The prize went to CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which will be officially canceled next May. The network called the decision purely financial, but many saw it as a capitulation to President Donald Trump — who is often the target of Colbert’s jokes — to resolve a federal lawsuit and secure federal approval of the merger of CBS parent company Paramount Global with Skydance Media.
The Emmy win allowed Colbert to take the stage to accept the Emmy — during a ceremony televised on CBS. He received a standing ovation from the audience.
“Thank you for this honor,” Colbert said. “I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege to be part of the late night tradition, which I hope continues long after we’re no longer doing this show.”
He later added, “I have never loved my country more desperately. God bless America. Stay strong. Be brave. And if the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy and punch a higher floor.”
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special” won the Emmy for outstanding live variety special, prompting show creator Lorne Michaels to note that he first won in the category 50 years ago, in 1975.
“I was younger and I had a lot of dreams about what would happen in my life,” Michaels said, joking that not one of those dreams was that “we’d be doing the same show for the next 50 years.”
“This (anniversary) show was two years in the planning, and they said we don’t care what it costs, as long as its good,” Michael said. “Maybe the didn’t say that, maybe that’s just the way I heard it.”
During the ceremony, husband-wife actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were presented with the Television Academy’s 2025 Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in recognition of their commitment to philanthropy, activism and “unwavering commitment to global good.”
The award is considered one of the highest honor bestowed by the Academy’s board of Governors.
Danson, best known for his roles in “Cheers” and “The Good Place,” is a longtime environmental activist and co-founder of the American Oceans Campaign. He has also long supported organizations such as the ASPCA, Climate U.S. PAC, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Malaria No More and Young Storytellers.
Steenburgen, who won a supporting-actress Oscar in 1981 for “Melvin and Howard” and also appeared in films including “Philadelphia,” “Parenthood” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” has lent her support to organizations including Artists for a Free South Africa, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Heifer International and No Kid Hungry.
Together, the couple co-founded the nonprofit Angels at Risk, which assists children, teens and their families at risk of drug and alcohol abuse. They are also vocal advocates for the LGBTQ community.
Comedian Nate Bargatze hosted the Emmy ceremony.