Apple TV+ has shattered its own records, earning an astonishing 81 Emmy Award nominations for the 77th annual ceremony. This monumental achievement showcases the streaming service’s rapidly growing prowess in premium content. The critically acclaimed psychological thriller Severance leads the charge as the most-nominated series. This impressive haul solidifies Apple’s position as a major force in the competitive entertainment landscape.
The Television Academy recognized 14 distinct Apple Original titles, a testament to the breadth and quality of the platform’s diverse programming. Beyond the sheer volume of nominations, Apple TV+ distinguished itself in several key areas. It became the only network to secure multiple top program nominations in both the Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Drama Series categories. Furthermore, Apple Originals garnered the most acting nominations of any network or studio this year, totaling an impressive 31 performance nods.
A New Benchmark for Streaming Excellence
Culver City, California buzzed with excitement as Apple TV+ celebrated its historic showing. The record 81 nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards represent a significant leap forward for the relatively young streaming service. This remarkable recognition underscores Apple’s strategic commitment to delivering compelling, high-quality storytelling that resonates with audiences and critics alike.
Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video, expressed profound appreciation. “Everyone at Apple is celebrating the talent, creativity, and hard work of all of our Emmy nominees this morning,” he stated. He highlighted Severance and The Studio for “exceeding our wildest expectations.” Jamie Erlicht, also Apple’s Head of Worldwide Video, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “This record-breaking year is a milestone for Apple.” He pointed to the “continued impact our outstanding series nominees… are having on global culture,” recognizing “bold storytelling, exceptional performances, and remarkable craftsmanship.”
Severance and The Studio: Leading the Emmy Charge
At the forefront of Apple’s Emmy success is the global phenomenon Severance. Its hit second season alone garnered a staggering 27 nominations. This includes the coveted Outstanding Drama Series nod. The dystopian thriller also earned nine performance category nominations, underscoring its powerhouse ensemble cast. Adam Scott is recognized for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Britt Lower also received a nod for Outstanding Lead Actress. The series saw multiple directing nominations for Ben Stiller and Jessica Lee Gagné. Dan Erickson was nominated for Outstanding Writing. Supporting and guest performances by Patricia Arquette, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Jane Alexander, Gwendoline Christie, and Merritt Wever also earned critical acclaim.
Making history, the breakout comedy The Studio swept with 23 nominations. It became the most-nominated freshman comedy series ever. This impressive tally includes Outstanding Comedy Series. Seth Rogen earned nominations for Lead Actor, Directing, and Writing for his work on the show. The Studio also dominated the acting categories, securing the most overall acting nominations of any series this year. This included nods for Ike Barinholtz and Kathryn Hahn for Supporting Actor/Actress. Even legendary directors Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard received their first-ever acting nominations for guest appearances. Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Anthony Mackie, and Zoë Kravitz also joined the list of celebrated guest stars.
Key Series Shine Across Genres
Beyond the top two, other Apple TV+ originals garnered significant recognition. Shrinking, in its sophomore season, secured its first-ever nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series (7 nominations total). Screen legend Harrison Ford received his first Emmy Award nomination for his celebrated performance in the series. Jason Segel also earned a Lead Actor nomination. Supporting nods went to Michael Urie and Jessica Williams.
The critically acclaimed espionage drama Slow Horses continued its Emmy run with five nominations. Following last year’s win for Outstanding Writing, the series earned nods for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor for Sir Gary Oldman. Will Smith was recognized for Outstanding Writing, and Adam Randall for Directing.
Apple Original Films also achieved a notable first with The Gorge. This film secured Apple’s first-ever nomination for Outstanding Television Movie. This expanding category of recognition demonstrates Apple’s growing influence across various content formats.
A Deep Dive into Performance and Craft Categories
Apple TV+ stars led all networks in acting nominations, securing 31 performance nods in total. The Studio accounted for 10 of these top acting nominations. Severance stars and guest stars earned nine. Shrinking and Presumed Innocent each had four performance nominations. Brian Tyree Henry was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor for Dope Thief. Sharon Horgan received her second nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress for Bad Sisters.
The nominations extended far beyond acting, acknowledging the meticulous craft behind Apple’s productions. Categories such as Outstanding Production Design, Music Composition, Cinematography, Picture Editing, and Sound Design saw multiple Apple titles recognized. This comprehensive acknowledgment from the Television Academy highlights the platform’s commitment to excellence in every aspect of filmmaking and television production. Even Apple’s commercials, “Heartstrings” for AirPods Pro and “Flock” for Apple Privacy, received nominations for Outstanding Commercial.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook
This record-breaking year signifies Apple TV+’s successful ascent in the highly competitive streaming landscape. Since its launch in November 2019, Apple TV+ has rapidly established itself as a home for prestige content. The platform’s strategy of focusing on quality over sheer volume continues to pay dividends. This approach has allowed it to attract top-tier talent and deliver unique, compelling narratives. These Emmy nominations serve as a powerful validation of that vision.
The 77th Emmy Award winners will be announced at the Creative Arts ceremonies on September 6 and 7, 2025. The main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will follow on September 14, 2025. This anticipation builds upon Apple’s already impressive awards legacy. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have amassed 580 wins and 2,761 award nominations globally. This includes the multi-Emmy-winning comedy Ted Lasso and the historic Oscar Best Picture winner CODA. All the nominated shows are currently streaming exclusively on Apple TV+, inviting viewers to explore the critically acclaimed content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Apple TV+ break with its 77th Emmy Award nominations?
Apple TV+ set a new record by receiving an unprecedented 81 Emmy Award nominations for the 77th annual ceremony. This massive total spans 14 of its original titles. Notably, it also garnered the most acting nominations (31 total) of any network or studio this year. Additionally, The Studio made history as the most-nominated freshman comedy series ever, securing 23 nominations.
Which Apple TV+ series received the most Emmy nominations this year?
The psychological drama Severance leads the pack as the most-nominated series, earning an impressive 27 Emmy nominations for its second season. These nominations include major categories such as Outstanding Drama Series, along with nine individual performance nods for its acclaimed cast, including Adam Scott and Britt Lower. The Studio also had a significant impact with 23 nominations.
When will the winners of the 77th Emmy Awards be announced, and where can I watch the nominated shows?
The winners of the 77th Emmy Awards will be unveiled during two Creative Arts ceremonies on September 6 and 7, 2025. The main Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled for September 14, 2025. All the nominated Apple Original series, films, and documentaries, including Severance, The Studio, Shrinking, and Slow Horses, are currently available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.
