Emmy Predictions 2025: ‘The Bear’ and ‘Hacks’ Lead Fierce Battle for Best Comedy Series
Stiff Competition in Comedy Categories
The Gold Derby team has reloaded their Emmy predictions for the comedy categories in 2025, and it’s shaping up to be a fierce battle. Senior editors Marcus James Dickson, Denton Davidson, and Mia Macaraeg agree that Hacks remains the series to beat for Best Comedy. However, the Apple TV+ newcomer The Studio is making a strong case, poised to set a new record with four nominations in the main comedy acting races.
The Studio has racked up an impressive 10 nominations, including five guest star nods for actors playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Brian Tyree Henry’s nomination for his memorable cameo appearance bodes well for The Studio potentially scoring an upset, given the TV academy’s penchant for rewarding A-list stars.
Female Powerhouses Dominate Acting Races
Our experts believe that Hacks will score repeat wins for lead actress Jean Smart and supporting actress Hannah Einbinder. Guest star Laurie Metcalf is also a strong contender for her memorable turn on the HBO Max hit. However, there’s a chance that vote-splitting could open the door for other standout performances, such as Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Kathleen Turner (The Studio), and Janelle James (Abbott Elementary).
Tight Race for Best Comedy Series
Beyond the acting races, the contest for Best Comedy Series is especially competitive this year. The Bear leads with 13 nominations, followed by The Hacks and Only Murders in the Building with seven apiece. Abbott Elementary and What We Do in the Shadows each scored six nods, while Somebody Somewhere rounds out the category with three.
Notably absent from the lineup are two long-running shows that have dominated the category for the past decade. With those perennial favorites out of the running, the path is clear for a fresh and deserving winner to emerge.
Countdown to the Emmys
As the TV industry awaits the final voting deadline on September 14th, Gold Derby will continue to provide expert analysis and predictions. Readers can stay up to date on the latest developments by subscribing to our newsletter, joining the discussion in our forums, and submitting their own predictions.
The 2025 Emmy race for Best Comedy Series is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with no clear frontrunner and plenty of buzzy new contenders. With so many deserving nominees, it will be fascinating to see how the votes shake out on television’s biggest night.
