Held at the iconic Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards honoured the best on television that aired between June 2024 and May 2025. The evening, which witnessed some big names in attendance, had quite a few highlights.

STUDIO SWEEP

Apple TV+’s The Studio won 13 Emmys, breaking the all-time record for most wins for a comedy series, in addition to shattering the freshman comedy series record, recording the most wins by a comedy in its first season. That included being named Best Comedy Series, while Seth Rogen won Best Actor, Writer and Director for a comedy series.

“I am legitimately embarrassed by how happy this makes me,” a visibly excited and emotional Rogen said on stage about the much-loved series set in a fictional Hollywood studio. Rogen ties the record for most Emmys won by a single individual in one night, joining Moira Demos (2016), Amy Sherman-Palladino (2018), and Dan Levy (2020).

EXHILARATION vs EXPERIENCE

Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper, the breakout star of Netflix’s hard-hitting hit series Adolescence, made history by becoming the youngest-ever male winner in the acting category at the Emmys. Even as the crowd clapped loud, a confident Cooper, dressed in black, said: “Standing up here is just so surreal. Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple years back, I didn’t expect to even be in the United States, let alone here. But I think tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life. I was nothing about three years ago. I am here now,” said the young man who turned in a spine-tingling performance as a teenaged killer on the show. The overall youngest winner still remains Roxana Zal, who won the award for Something About Amelia at the age of 14.

Adolescence dominated the Limited Series categories with six victories, including Best Limited Series. Besides Cooper, the six wins for the series included Best Actor for co-creator Stephen Graham. The Best Supporting Actress Emmy went to Erin Doherty, who played a therapist opposite Cooper in a riveting episode that like all four Adolescence episodes was filmed in a single shot.

If freshness was rewarded, so was experience. The stunningly talented Jean Smart won Best Actress in a comedy for Hacks for the fourth time at 73, extending her own record for the oldest female recipient ever to win in the category.

PITT HIT!

Another big winner of the night was The Pitt, which won Best Drama Series while star Noah Wyle won Best Actor in a drama and Katherine LaNasa took home Best Supporting Actress.

The first season of the HBO Max drama unfolded over 15 gripping episodes that tracked a gruelling 15-hour shift in an emergency room to present a realistic portrayal of the challenges healthcare workers face. It brought star and executive producer Wyle back into scrubs 15 years after the end of ER, NBC’s long-running medical drama in which he starred as Dr. John Carter. It was his first Emmy win, despite being nominated several times for ER.

Going into the night with a whopping 13 nominations, The Pitt won five trophies, racing past strong contenders like Severance and The White Lotus to win the top prize. “I want to dedicate this all the healthcare workers, frontline, first responders,” show creator R. Scott Gemmill said while accepting the award.

GLORIOUS FIRST

Severance star Tramell Tillman won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first Black man ever to win the award. Tillman brought his mother to the ceremony, who was clearly overwhelmed as the cameras panned on her when her son thanked her in his moving acceptance speech. “You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work. Show up. And most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,” he began, quoting his mom. “My first acting coach was tough, y’all. But all great mothers are.” He turned to face her and continued: “Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me. And this is for you.”

COLBERT CALL

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert won Outstanding Talk Series, two months after CBS’s surprise announcement that they were canceling the show. Stephen Colbert‘s win was greeted with a standing ovation.

In fact, Colbert received a standing ovation even before he won. This was when he presented the first award of the night. “While I have your attention, is anyone hiring?” he joked. “Cause I’ve got 200 very well-qualified candidates with me here tonight who will be available in June. I also brought my own resume with me tonight.”

Winning an Emmy a few hours later, Colbert was more staid in his speech, saying: “I want to thank CBS for giving us the privilege of being part of the late-night tradition, which I hope continues long after we are no longer doing this show.” He concluded his remarks with a comment that suggested he is looking to his post-CBS future. “If the elevator tries to bring you down, go cray and punch a higher floor!” More power!

PRAY FOR PALESTINE

Close on the heels of almost 5,000 signatories from Hollywood — and beyond — vowing not to work with individuals or industries that support Israel as it continues to perpetuate a genocide against Palestine that has already killed hundreds of thousands, including children, there was many a heavyweight attendee — both on stage and on the red carpet — that came out unflinchingly in support of Palestine.

Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, who took home the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy trophy, ended her speech by calling out the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and saying “Free Palestine!”

Oscar winner Javier Bardem sported a keffiyeh in Palestinian flag colours on the red carpet and voiced his vociferous support for a “commercial and diplomatic blockade and sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide.”

American comedian actress Meg Stalter, who stars in Hacks, skipped a gown for a jeans-and T-shirt combo, with all eyes on her DIY tote that screamed out “Cease fire!” It is the most important to stick up for people and for peace.... We have to use our platforms. What is the point of being at these big events if you’re not going to use your privilege?” Stalter pointed out.

Many other prominent names — chief among them being
Bryan Cranston, Ruth Negga and Aimee Lou-Wood — wore pins in support of Palestine.

Priyanka Roy