How Many Emmys Should ‘Adolescence’ Actually Win?

Pop quiz: Which TV series received the second-most Emmy nominations in 2025? “The Studio”? “The White Lotus”? “Adolescence”? No, no, and no. The closest to “Severance” and its leading 27 nominations is “The Penguin” with 24 total nods. “The Studio” netted 23 nominations, the same as “The White Lotus,” while “Adolescence” trails three more shows (“The Last of Us,” “Andor,” and “Hacks”), netting the same number of total nominations as “The Bear” and “The Pitt,” with 13 each.

So why is there so much buzz around “Adolescence”?

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The short answer: Netflix. Co-creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s British crime drama has become the second most-watched series ever made for the streaming giant, and while those self-reported ratings shouldn’t be taken without a hefty grain of salt, there’s no denying the four-part program’s immense popularity. Buoyed by breakout performances, real-time episodes, and examining every parent’s worst fears, “Adolescence” is a legitimate sensation — and one that awards voters are eager to embrace.

Fewer episodes and a more practical production contributed to fewer total nominations than its fellow limited series leader — it’s hard to get multiple directors nominated when your show only used one, just as it’s tricky to earn recognition for hairstyling or makeup when your lead character isn’t spending half-a-day in the stylists’ chair. But make no mistake: “Adolescence” is the limited series frontrunner. Gold Derby experts unanimously predict it to win Outstanding Limited Series, Supporting Actor, Directing, and Writing, among other categories where it’s favored.

So, like we did with our other category leaders, attention must turn away from what’s trending and toward what’s right. How many Emmys should “Adolescence” actually win? The critical darling is competing in 11 categories (12, if you count Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series, where its “Making Of” doc is nominated — and no, we’re not counting that one). In a year where its competitors aren’t exactly on par with “Angels in America” or “Watchmen” — the best of the best limited series — should it win 11 trophies?

Each category is unique. Each group of nominees has their own plusses and minuses. Hopefully, TV Academy members use the breakdown below as a handy resource, while fans reference it before gauging their pride and/or disappointment when the winners are announced on September 14.

Maybe you’ll disagree with a few picks. Maybe you’ll be surprised by a few others. (I know I was.) But we’ll all be better informed come Emmys night — and hopefully voters long before that. So let’s get to it.

Style note: For categories where each nominated program consists of multiple individual artists, not all names are listed. It’s just a space issue. Full credits can be found on the Emmys’ website.

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