Emmy Nominations: Who Deserves to Win Among These Star-Studded Contenders?

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2025 Emmy nominations have been announced, and I’m finding it challenging to decide which Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series nominee deserves the win after watching all their performances on the schedule. Pedro Pascal, Sterling K. Brown, Noah Wyle, Gary Oldman, and Adam Scott delivered exceptional performances in fantastic series. Choosing a single winner seems impossible right now, but I hope to make a decision by the end of this piece.

Pedro Pascal For The Last Of Us

Pedro Pascal might well be known as the “internet’s paterfamilias,” and one key factor behind this is his portrayal of Joel in The Last of Us. Though there will be another season for The Last of Us, due to Joel’s reduced role in Season 2 (you know what you know), this could potentially mark Pascal’s last chance to secure an Emmy for this specific performance. To put it frankly, I believe he richly deserves this accolade for his work in Season 1 of The Last of Us, given the magnitude of his role there. However, since every scene involving him in Season 2 carries immense emotional significance, it’s not as if he doesn’t merit consideration now.

Over the past few years, it’s been simply fantastic for Pascal and his supporters. This month sees the release of “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” while “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is scheduled for 2026. If Pascal were to win an Emmy for one of the best video game adaptations yet, it would be a fitting climax. A recognition he truly deserves. However, he’s not the only one in this category.

Adam Scott For Severance

As a dedicated movie critic, I must say that Apple TV+ has truly outdone itself in the past few years, and one of their standout productions is none other than “Severance.” This exceptional series has garnered an impressive 27 Emmy nominations in 2025, making it the leading show in the race.

The stellar cast, led by Adam Scott as Mark S., is nothing short of phenomenal. Alongside Scott, we have Britt Lower, John Turturro, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette, all of whom have also received Emmy nominations. “Severance” is a must-watch for any fan of thought-provoking, engaging television.

In my opinion, despite how remarkable “Severance” is and how talented Scott is, he seems to be the underdog in this category, which just goes to show how competitive it is. I wouldn’t be shocked by any outcome when the Emmy awards are announced on September 14th. However, if I were a gambler, I wouldn’t put my money on Scott. He’ll likely be nominated again once Season 3 of “Severance” airs.

Noah Wyle For The Pitt

As a dedicated film enthusiast, diving into HBO Max’s gripping medical drama, “The Pitt,” initially proved challenging for me. At first glance, it seemed too raw and intense, causing me to pause the show more than once. However, this wasn’t due to any perceived flaws in the series; quite the contrary, it was its remarkable realism that made it so hard to turn away. The uncanny authenticity of the show left me feeling unsettled, as if I were living the dramatic events unfold before my eyes.

In simpler terms, the lead actor in this show, Noah Wyle, has earned five Emmy nominations from his time on a previous medical drama called ER. However, it’s worth noting that he delivered an exceptional performance in The Pitt, a level that perhaps surpasses his work on ER. Although he didn’t win for ER and might not win here due to tough competition, his performance in The Pitt is captivating, sincere, and above all, authentic.

Sterling K. Brown For Paradise

Dan Fogelman, the creator behind the hit show “This Is Us,” has brought us another captivating series called Hulu’s “Paradise“. You might remember “This Is Us”; Sterling K. Brown was nominated for five Emmys and won one in 2017 following Season 1, all in the same category. For “Paradise“, Fogelman collaborated with Brown once more, and it’s no wonder that this collaboration resulted in yet another outstanding television season and a host of Emmy nominations.

In a subtle yet impactful manner, Brown delves into the intricacies of character Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins, making him three-dimensional rather than flat under any other direction but Brown and Fogelman’s. At first glance, the series appears to be a science fiction mystery, but with Brown at the helm, it transcends beyond its genre. This nomination would mark Brown’s fourth Emmy win (having previously won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and Best Narrator for Lincoln: Divided We Stand)), so it’s no wonder to see him on stage, once again receiving recognition for his exceptional acting skills.

Gary Oldman For Slow Horses

Ultimately, let me share my top pick: “Slow Horses”, a show available on Apple TV+, has consistently been one of the best streaming series for four seasons (with season five imminent). The talented Gary Oldman, portraying the gruff, odorous, chain-smoking, past-his-prime spy Jackson Lamb in this thriller, has delivered exceptional performances throughout these seasons.

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, this marks only the second Emmy nomination for Oldman’s work on “Slow Horses,” and it feels almost unfair given his past accolades. An Oscar laureate, Oldman has yet to secure an Emmy award, but regardless of who ultimately wins, I find myself secretly cheering him on. His portrayal in the series is so captivating that I feel as if I can sense his character right through the screen—and trust me, that’s a good thing!

Who Will Win Is Anyone’s Guess

This year’s Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series has an unusual sense of unpredictability. Unlike past years where five deserving nominees were a given, this time around, the winner seems elusive. While I personally favor Oldman, I must admit that the outcome is difficult to forecast. In truth, any outcome would not be shocking in this category.

For nearly two days now, I’ve been pondering over this, but I’m still at a loss as to who will take the prize. Each of these five actors delivered outstanding performances in their well-loved series. Although I previously thought Adam Scott might be the underdog, as I delve deeper into the impressive run of Severance and its numerous nominations, my initial assumption seems less likely. In fact, I find myself constantly shifting my bet among all five contenders. I can hardly wait until September rolls around and CBS reveals the winner.

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2025-07-16 23:08