Predicting the 2025 Emmy winners: best drama series

Published May 20, 2025 Updated July 28, 2025 9 AM PT

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“Severance” leads all comers with an impressive 27 nominations — but the series only edges out “The Pitt” in our Round 3 poll by a narrow margin. “Though ‘The Pitt’ was the surprise hit, it feels like time for ‘Severance’ to take it,” says Trey Mangum.

Several contributors frame the race as a battle between “Severance’s” philosophical concerns and technical excellence and “The Pitt’s” raw emotional power, giving the latter a leg up.

Kristen Baldwin writes, “‘Severance’s’ second season was worth the wait and very satisfying, but it might not have the same emotional resonance … as ‘The Pitt’s’ often devastating (and somehow inspiring?) first season.”

Matt Roush says, “I’m a believer in the old-fashioned tearjerking values of the riveting ‘The Pitt’ in this classic battle of heart over head.”

Glenn Whipp uses his head to tout the heart candidate, noting Emmy history: “I still hold out some hope for ‘The Pitt,’ though, as it picked up two nominations apiece in the writing and directing categories. In no way is it on life support.”

More predictions: Drama actor | Drama actress

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “The White Lotus”
4. “The Last of Us”
5. “Andor”
6. “Paradise”
7. “The Diplomat”
8. “Slow Horses”

Los Angeles Times

Lorraine Ali

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “The White Lotus”
T4. “The Last of Us”
T4. “Andor”
T4. “The Diplomat”
7. “Slow Horses”
8. “Paradise”

“Lumon is listening, and the clandestine corporation at the center of the Apple TV+ series ‘Severance’ hears that the dystopian thriller has an excellent chance of winning. Its closest competitors? Medical trauma-drama ‘The Pitt’ and comedy-posing-as-drama ‘The White Lotus.’”

Entertainment Weekly

Kristen Baldwin

1. “The Pitt”
2. “Severance”
3. “The White Lotus”
4. “The Last of Us”
5. “Andor”
6. “The Diplomat”
7. “Slow Horses”
8. “Paradise”

“Get ready for a battle between the Apple TV+ hit ‘Severance’ and similarly fawned-upon ‘The Pitt.’ I’m giving the edge to the HBO Max medical drama. ‘Severance’s’ second season was worth the wait and very satisfying, but it might not have the same emotional resonance with viewers as ‘The Pitt’s’ often devastating (and somehow inspiring?) first season.”

Los Angeles Times

Tracy Brown

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “The White Lotus”
4. “Andor”
5. “The Last of Us”
6. “Paradise”
7. “The Diplomat”
8. “Slow Horses”

“Let’s hear it for ‘Andor,’ one of my favorite shows of the year. But this race is going to come down to ‘The Pitt’ and ‘Severance,’ two shows set in very different workplaces involving very different work/life dynamics. Everyone loves a solid medical drama, but the edge goes to this year’s top nominee.”

Shadow and Act

Trey Mangum

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “Paradise”
4. “Andor”
5. “The White Lotus”
6. “The Last of Us”
7. “The Diplomat”
8. “Slow Horses”

“Many categories this year are coming down to ‘The Pitt’ and ‘Severance.’ Though ‘The Pitt’ was the surprise hit, it feels like time for ‘Severance’ to take it. Still, ‘Paradise’ deserves mention — it’s worthy of this conversation and has maintained its momentum throughout the season.”

TV Guide

Matt Roush

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “The White Lotus”
5. “Andor”
6. “Slow Horses”
7. “The Diplomat”
8. “Paradise”

“With the most nominations, ‘Severance’ would seem to have the edge, but I’m a believer in the old-fashioned tearjerking values of the riveting ‘The Pitt’ in this classic battle of heart over head. (If the ‘Cold Harbor’ reveal had been more satisfying, I’d be more in ‘Severance’s’ corner.)”

Los Angeles Times

Glenn Whipp

1. “Severance”
2. “The Pitt”
3. “The White Lotus”
4. “The Last of Us”
5. “Andor”
6. “Paradise”
7. “Slow Horses”
8. “The Diplomat”

“With a leading 27 nominations spanning a multitude of categories, it’s hard to bet against ‘Severance.’ I still hold out some hope for ‘The Pitt,’ though, as it picked up two nominations apiece in the writing and directing categories. In no way is it on life support.”