The cast of Severance delivered standout performances, earning nine acting nominations. Adam Scott, who plays the dual roles of Mark Scout’s “innie” and “outie” selves, secured a nod for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while Britt Lower earned recognition for Outstanding Lead Actress. Supporting actors Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette also received nominations, alongside guest stars Gwendoline Christie, Merritt Wever, and Jane Alexander. The ensemble’s ability to portray fractured identities within the show’s eerie corporate world has been a key driver of its acclaim, with Variety noting the series’ ability to captivate through its “surreal satire of corporate life.”
Craft and Creativity in the Spotlight
Beyond acting, Severance excelled in craft categories, earning nods for directing, writing, cinematography, music supervision, sound editing, sound mixing, stunts, and visual effects. Ben Stiller and Jessica Lee Gagné were recognized for directing the season finale, while Dan Erickson’s writing also garnered praise. The show’s unique visual style and unsettling sound design, which amplify its dystopian workplace setting, have been lauded for pushing creative boundaries. However, the series missed out on nominations for costumes, hairstyling, and makeup, areas where its retro-futuristic aesthetic could have shone, according to Gold Derby.
The Studio Steals the Comedy Crown
Apple TV+ also made waves in the comedy categories with The Studio, a freshman series that tied a record with 23 nominations, matching The Bear’s 2024 haul for the most ever for a comedy series. Seth Rogen, who co-created and stars in the Hollywood satire, earned nods for Outstanding Lead Actor, Writing, and Directing. The show also dominated the guest actor category, with nominations for Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, and Martin Scorsese, alongside Zoë Kravitz for guest actress. The Associated Press highlighted The Studio’s ability to outshine more established comedies like Hacks and The Bear, signaling Apple’s strength across genres.
A Competitive Field Awaits
Severance faces stiff competition in the Outstanding Drama Series category, going up against heavyweights like The White Lotus, The Last of Us, Slow Horses, Andor, The Diplomat, Paradise, and The Pitt. The latter, a medical procedural led by Noah Wyle, earned 13 nominations, while The White Lotus matched The Studio with 23 nods. Despite the crowded field, Severance’s cultural impact—fueled by social media buzz and fan theories—gives it an edge, as noted by NBC News. The show’s exploration of work-life separation and corporate control has struck a chord in today’s fragmented media landscape.
Apple TV+’s Broader Triumph
Apple TV+’s 81 nominations mark a record for the streamer, which also saw success with Slow Horses (5 nominations), Shrinking (7), Presumed Innocent (4), and Bad Sisters (2), among others. The platform became the only network with multiple titles nominated in both Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories, a feat celebrated by Apple’s head of Worldwide Video, Zack Van Amburg. Bloomberg emphasized that this haul provides a significant publicity boost for Apple TV+, a relatively new player compared to giants like Netflix and HBO. The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by Nate Bargatze, will air on CBS on September 14, 2025, revealing whether Severance can convert its nominations into wins.