Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

The Pitt
Max

Emmys Commentary (Updated: June 5, 2025): With nomination voting for the Emmys Awards opening next week, the number of eligible series in the three marquee categories — drama, comedy and limited — is on track to remain relatively stable, following a turbulent rebound year in 2024 after Hollywood’s dual labor strikes.

According to Variety’s early projections, we are currently tracking a total of 234 scripted series are expected to be submitted across the main genres, which would be a slight increase from the 229 titles in 2024. That number, however, is still a significant drop from the pre-strike era, when the volume of content flooded Emmy ballots. Last year’s figures reflected a 33% year-over-year decline, with many productions delayed or shuttered due to industry-wide shutdowns.

In 2025, drama series are projected to lead the charge with 133 entries, up from 107 last year. Among the highest-profile contenders are Apple TV+’s returning critical favorite “Severance,” HBO Max’s buzzy medical drama “The Pitt,” the third installment of “The White Lotus,” and Disney+’s acclaimed “Andor,” which could improve on its inaugural showing.

Comedy submissions are expected to reach 67 titles — down from 73 in 2024 — with Apple’s “The Studio” leading the field. The insider Hollywood satire has momentum on its side as it attempts to match or surpass the record set by Apple’s “Ted Lasso,” which scored 20 nominations in its debut year, the most for a freshman series. “The Studio” has been widely embraced and is looking to be the frontrunner that could unseat HBO Max’s “Hacks” and FX’s “The Bear.”

The limited or anthology series field is narrowing the most dramatically, with just 33 entries projected, compared to 49 last year. That category is expected to be anchored by Netflix’s British drama “Adolescence,” which has emerged as an undisputed frontrunner.

While the overall number of series is holding steady, insiders suggest that acting categories — already among the most competitive fields in Emmy voting — may shrink even further due to consolidation of casts and fewer ensemble-driven projects. The result could be tighter races in lead, supporting and guest performance categories, where a reduced volume of eligible names will intensify the spotlight on standout turns.

Other tidbits worth mentioning include: Prime Video’s documentary “I Am Celine Dion” from director Irene Taylor will compete in the exceptional merit category, which looks to have about five films in the running. However, this is a juried category, so it won’t be revealed on nomination ballots who is officially in the running.

Top 5 nomination leaders (series):

Top 5 nomination leaders (studios):

Note: Overall predictions are updated every Thursday. However, new artisan categories or midweek corrections may be added at any time and could impact leaderboard rankings.

*** = PREDICTED WINNER
(All predicted nominees listed below are in alphabetical order)

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