LOS ANGELES (AP) — Apple TV+ series “Severance” emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 27 Emmy nominations on Tuesday, while “The Studio” led the comedy category with a record-tying 23 nods. It was a triumphant year for Apple TV+ with both series dominating the nominations.
“Severance” stood out in the drama category, garnering praise and buzz for its second season, resulting in a significant Emmy haul. Matt Cherniss, Apple TV+ head of programming, expressed his excitement to the Associated Press, calling it the “best kind of morning.”
Lead actors Adam Scott and Britt Lower received nominations for their dual roles in “Severance,” portraying their characters’ work and home selves. Tramell Tillman also earned a supporting actor nod for his role as the supervisor. Patricia Arquette and Ben Stiller were recognized for their contributions to the series as well.
Meanwhile, “The Studio,” a Hollywood satire by Apple, made a strong debut with 23 nominations, tying a record set by “The Bear” the previous year. Co-creator Seth Rogen received multiple nominations for his work on the show, which boasts an impressive guest star lineup.
In the limited series category, HBO’s “The Penguin” and Netflix’s “Adolescence” were prominent contenders, with notable nominations for Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and 15-year-old Owen Cooper.
Other series like “The White Lotus,” “The Pitt,” and “Matlock” also received recognition in various acting categories, solidifying their places among the top nominees this year.
The race for best actor in a drama has narrowed to two contenders, both vying for their first Emmy win. Traditional broadcast networks have mostly faded from the top Emmy categories, but Kathy Bates stands out as a standout exception this year. She is heavily favored to take home the award for best actress in a drama for her role in CBS’s “Matlock.” Bates is not only the first person from a network show to be nominated in this category since 2019 but could also become the first winner from a network show since 2015. At 77, she is the oldest nominee ever in this category.
On the other hand, ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” has been a ray of hope for network television, garnering six nominations, including acting and writing nods for its creator, Quinta Brunson. Meanwhile, HBO continues to dominate the Emmy nominations, with “The Last of Us” leading the pack with 16 nods in drama categories. Bella Ramsey received a nomination for best actress in a drama for her role in the series, while Pedro Pascal was recognized for his performance as a lead actor despite appearing in only half of the season’s episodes.
HBO, along with its streaming counterpart HBO Max, has been a consistent powerhouse in Emmy nominations for decades. This year, HBO received a record-breaking 142 nominations, solidifying its position as an Emmy frontrunner. Netflix followed closely behind with 120 nominations, with standout projects like “Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story” and “Black Mirror.” Apple TV+ also made its mark with 79 nominations in various categories.
Among the notable snubs were performers like Diego Luna from “Andor,” as well as popular shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Squid Game,” which received minimal recognition. The nominations were announced by actors Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song, showcasing the diverse talent in key categories.
Apple TV+’s “Severance” emerged as a standout show for the streaming platform, receiving multiple nominations and potentially poised to become a major winner at the upcoming Emmy Awards. The show’s success reflects Apple’s commitment to producing bold and innovative content that takes risks in storytelling.
The evolving landscape of television in the streaming era has reshaped the Emmy nominations, with acclaimed shows often catering to niche audiences rather than mass viewership. Despite these changes, the Emmy Awards continue to celebrate excellence and creativity in television programming.
According to Warner Bros. Discovery, an average of 30 million people watched Noah Wyle on “ER” on NBC 30 years ago, while a similar number now tune in to see him on “The Pitt” on HBO Max. The Emmys are rotated among broadcast networks, with CBS set to host the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. Nate Bargatze is scheduled to be the host. Associated Press Writers Ryan Pearson, Liam McEwan, and Jocelyn Noveck contributed to this report. For more coverage on this year’s Emmy Awards and recent television shows, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/television
