Today marks the beginning of Emmy winner voting for the Television Academy. Voting runs until August 27th. As always, there are so many shows to consider, both new and returning, but some members of NBP wanted to share which shows and performances we’re hoping voters will consider for their winner ballots this year. You can see our full list of predictions here.
The FYC mentions below are made by Matt Neglia, Ema Sasic, Giovanni Lago, Nadia Dalimonte, Alyssa Christian, Daniel Howat and Joselyn Safadi.
Outstanding Drama Series – “The Pitt”
Perhaps no other show in 2025 had as much of an organic rise in popularity as “The Pitt” did on HBO Max. It masterfully reinvented the medical drama through an immersive real-time format (each of its 15 episodes captures a single hour of a grueling 15-hour emergency-room shift), elevating the narrative into a cinematic, high-intensity experience that viewers could not wait to tune in for weekly but also caught the attention of newcomers who had enough time over its 15 weeks to catch up with the show. You know, how television used to work. Creatively reuniting “ER” alum Noah Wyle with veteran collaborators R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells, the series delivers emotional authenticity and surgical precision in its jargon, day-to-day process, and doesn’t pull back from portraying the struggles modern-day healthcare workers are facing from underfunding, staff shortages, and the emotional toll of a post-pandemic world. All of this is told with remarkable realism and a genuine sense of an overarching story, never coming across as a “medical issue of the week” as many other dramas from its ilk were previously told. Acclaimed for its writing, direction, performances, and immersion by both critics and real-world medical professionals, the show has earned all of the praise it has received so far and deserves to cap off its first shift with a Drama Series win.
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series – “Adolescence”
“Adolescence” truly represented the very best of what the format of television could achieve: it was an ambitious story that was both thematically resonant for the current times we’re living in and emotionally shattering for how to deal with troubled youth, specifically young males, in the complexity of our modern times. Through its unflinching and impeccably crafted single-take episodes, the series captured the horrors of a murder investigation, interrogation of said evil, and the soul-crushing aftermath of the victims left behind. Elevated by masterful direction, nuanced writing, and powerful performances from everyone involved, “Adolescence” became not only the water-cooler show of the year but also broke through the zeitgeist, becoming the first streaming show to place at the top of the Barb Audiences weekly television ratings and spawned more conversation on how to combat the epidemic of the manosphere leading to hope by bringing awareness to this truly disturbing cultural development.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Seth Rogen for “The Studio”
With a whopping four nominations himself this year, does Seth Rogen need much of a boost in a last-minute FYC? With its astounding nomination haul this year, “The Studio” is the favorite to win Outstanding Comedy Series, while Rogen and Evan Goldberg are poised to win Directing, Writing, or both. While all of those are well deserved, we shouldn’t overlook Rogen’s achievement as an actor in the show, as well. Matt Remick is a tragic figure, placed in an impossible job that pits his love for film against his desire for importance. In the hands of a lesser actor, Matt would be too power hungry, or too pitiful, or too inept. Rogen walks the razor’s edge in “The Studio,” giving the audience a character to genuinely root for, even when he’s desperate to be thanked in an acceptance speech or making Scorsese cry. His honest passion for film and desire to be a part of history warms the heart. Rogen’s never been better, or funnier, than in “The Studio.” It’s the best comedic performance of the year.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Britt Lower in “Severance”
We waited three years for the sophomore season of the critically-acclaimed Apple+ series “Severance,” and it delivered. As the show with the most nominations at this year’s Emmys, it’d be easy to predict it to do well with wins, too. However, it’s up against the similarly acclaimed and buzzy The Pitt, and it’d be great to reward the sci-fi drama in at least one major category. Britt Lower gave a strong performance in season one, but she was given a lot more to do in season two. She expertly navigates the myriad versions of as Helly R. and Helena. This is especially true when the twist is revealed in the standout episode “Wolf’s Hollow,” which makes you appreciate her performance(s) even more. There’s a noticeable difference between Lower as the eager, innocent Helly R. and her work as the cold, calculating, and downright unlikable Helena. Yet, there’s still a softness in Helena that Lower shows through subtle movements and reactions. And her chemistry with Adam Scott as Mark S. is what makes us root for Helly and Mark as a couple.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Cristin Milioti in “The Penguin”
Phenomenal and terrifying are the perfect words to describe Cristin Milioti’s performance as Sofia Gigante/Falcone in “The Penguin.” Having already won the Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for this role earlier this year, she’ll be competing for the same category in this upcoming Emmys. She delivered a ferocious performance that rivalled Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot throughout the series. However, her return to Arkham Asylum by the end of the show leaves the door open to see more of her character in potential projects. Critics and audiences are already applauding her performance with well-deserved recognition. There’s no denying that she’ll deserves to be a major competitor for this year’s Emmy awards.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Hannah Einbinder for “Hacks”
When Jean Smart (most likely) runs away with her fourth Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy Award for “Hacks,” it would only be fair for her right-hand woman, Hannah Einbinder, to have an Emmy as well finally. Einbinder has come so close each of the previous three times she’s been nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. Still, it’s finally her time to shine. The work she put in during season four of “Hacks” speaks for itself, as she had to navigate an emotional tightrope. Ava, who had blackmailed her way to the head writer position of Deborah’s late-night show, faced not only the pressure of creating a stellar series but also the challenge of navigating Deborah’s coldness, its impact on her, and her own mental health struggles. It’s a side of Ava that we haven’t seen before, and Einbinder handled the changing tides with such grace. She had a way of pulling us into her life throughout the season that, when Deborah shows Ava a bit of kindness, only to pull the rug out from under her, your heart breaks when you see the glimmer in her eyes disappear. Einbinder has deserved the Emmy Award each time she’s been nominated, but given her excellent work this season, no one is more deserving of that shiny statue than her.
Outstanding Directing/Writing for a Comedy Series – Nathan Fielder for “The Rehearsal”
After witnessing one of the most baffling seasons for an HBO series, there was no telling where Nathan Fielder was going to take us with season two of “The Rehearsal.” The series, which splits its brief runtimes, bringing out the laughs and crafting a sociological experiment that somehow avoids violating any ethical boundaries (not that it doesn’t get close), aims for the skies… literally. Fielder’s absurdly dry sense of humor is as unpredictable as ever, leading him into uncharted territory. Whether it was recreating a life-sized airport terminal, spying on pilots to learn their behaviors, hearing about wet dreams to Einstein, or embodying real-life aviation hero Sully Sullenberger while Evervance’s “Bring Me To Life” blares in the background, it’s all equally as mind-boggling. The “Pilot’s Code” episode is the standard for batshit television and is maybe the closest we’ll ever get to understanding how Fielder’s mind works. It would also make one of the most inspired wins if the Television Academy voted for it. Also, it’s the best on-screen depiction of Sullenberger’s life, sorry, Clint Eastwood.
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – Kim Rosenstock & Elizabeth Meriwether for “Dying For Sex”
Within the first few minutes of “Good Value Diet Soda,” the pilot of “Dying for Sex,” Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether set the tone for a unique cancer journey: it’s heartbreaking, funny, and kinky in equal measure. Based on a 2020 podcast about best friends Molly Kochan and Nikki Boyer, with Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate playing Molly and Nikki, respectively, the series takes a deeply intimate perspective on universal medical realities. As the co-writers, co-creators, and showrunners, Rosenstock and Meriwether bring Molly’s inner monologue to life, defining the character beyond her illness. With remarkable discipline in narrative structure, dramatic tension, and comedic energy, the writing embraces desire as liberating and healing as a circular journey. At its core, “Dying for Sex” is a tender love story between two best friends who choose each other through thick and thin.
Who/what are you hoping will win at this year’s Emmy Awards? Please let us know in the comments section below or over on our X account and check out our latest Emmy winner predictions here.
