The Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025. While many shows have already taken home Creative Arts Emmys, when it comes to the main event, where awards will be handed out for acting, writing, and directing, the competition is especially fierce. There are fantastic shows like <em>The Pitt</em>, Severance, The Studio, and The White Lotus that are almost guaranteed to receive the accolades they deserve, but a few others will likely be left out in the cold.
This isn’t to say these shows aren’t incredible, but chances are slim they’ll come out with any major awards simply because the stakes are higher than ever. At least it’s an honor just to be nominated.
1
‘Paradise’ (2025 – Present)
The political thriller Paradise, which has already been renewed for a second season, features an incredibly talented cast and a compelling story. Sterling K. Brown shines as Xavier Collins, the lead agent for the president’s Secret Service security detail. It’s revealed that he’s one of only a small selection of people saved to reside in an elaborate underground bunker created by billionaire Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson) following a catastrophic event. As Xavier uncovers secrets and lies, however, the plot takes viewers on a twisted ride to find the truth — one of the most exciting reasons to watch Paradise.
Paradise has four Emmy nominations: Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Brown, Outstanding Supporting Actor for James Marsden, and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Nicholson. All three delivered performances worthy of a win, but they face massive competition from shows like Severance, The Pitt, and The White Lotus in those respective categories.
2
‘Slow Horses’ (2022 – Present)
Gary Oldman heads up this British spy thriller based on the set of novels written by Mick Herron. He leads an MI5 unit of disgraced or failed agents who aren’t anywhere near the top of their field. But when their days of pushing papers in the office come to a pause after getting caught up in a dangerous investigation that threatens all of Britain, they finally have a chance to prove themselves worthy.
Slow Horses received five main category Emmy nominations in 2024, and Will Smith won for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Of the Creative Arts categories, the show received four more nominations last year but didn’t win any. This year, the Apple TV+ original has four more nominations, including one for Smith again. But even in that category, The Pitt or Severance is more likely to win.
3
‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021 – Present)
Only Murders in the Building is still going strong, releasing its fifth season in time for the big awards ceremony. But the show has often been sidelined in the comedy category, mostly because of The Bear’s odd categorization. The show centers around a trio of amateur crime-solvers and true crime podcast hosts played by the endearing Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez. In each season, they solve a different case while meeting tons of eccentric characters played by A-list guest stars.
Only Murders in the Building has earned dozens of Emmy nominations throughout its run in all the major categories. It won a few in previous years, including Nathan Lane for Outstanding Guest Actor, along with production design, sound mixing, and music composition. This year, there are only two major nominations: one for Outstanding Comedy Series, which will almost surely go to The Studio, and Lead Actor for Short, which is also more than likely going to Seth Rogen for The Studio.
4
‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ (2024)
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