“Severance” separated itself from the field with 27 Emmy nominations Tuesday, making it the most nominated show of the 2025 Emmy's Season. No other dramas came close to the dystopian workplace series “Severance,” which achieved a convergence of acclaim and audience buzz for its second season that brought an expected Emmy bounty.
“It’s been the best kind of morning,” Apple TV+ head of programming Matt Cherniss told The Associated Press.
Lead acting nominations came for “Severance” stars Adam Scott and Britt Lower for what amounted to dual roles as their characters’ “innie” work selves and “outie” home selves. Tramell Tillman got a supporting nod for playing their tone-shifting, pineapple-wielding supervisor. Patricia Arquette was nominated for supporting actress for playing an ousted outcast from the sinister family business at the center of the show. And Ben Stiller got a nomination for directing the Season 2 finale.
“Severance” has become a signature show for Apple TV+. The streamer has gotten plenty of Emmy nominations for dramas including “The Morning Show” and “Slow Horses,” and “Ted Lasso” thrived the comedy side.
But Apple has lacked the kind of breakaway prestige drama that HBO seems to produce perennially. “Severance” became its most-nominated show ever and could easily become its biggest winner when the Emmys are handed out in September, reaching the upper echelons previously enjoyed by “Succession” and “Shogun,” which left room for others by taking this year off.
Cherniss said Apple TV+, which has been knocked as the streamer with big stars and big budgets for shows that go unnoticed, was rewarded for taking big swings.
“‘Severance’ is such an ambitious show,” he said, adding that “all of the shows that have been nominated took big risks.”
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