With the Television Academy officially revealing this year’s Emmy nominees, attention turns not only to who’s in the running — but what episodes the actors are submitting. Though the Emmys have increasingly become dominated by buzz and momentum, official episode submissions can play a critical role. But as full-season sweeps have become more common, it’s worth asking: Does the individual episode still carry as much weight?
In the lead drama actress category, frontrunner Kathy Bates — who made history as the oldest nominee ever — opted for the penultimate 17th episode of “Matlock’s” inaugural season from CBS. “I Was That, Too” reveals the truth about Matty (Bates) to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) and provides an absolute masterclass in acting from Bates, blowing the story wide open.
Her closest competitor, Britt Lower, submitted the acclaimed “Attila” episode from Apple TV+’s dystopian “Severance” — where “Innie” Helly R. learns that her “Outie” Helena slept with Mark S. and decides to form her own memories. It’s a showcase for Lower’s dual performance as the mysterious dual versions of her character.
The hurdle for Bates is precedent. In the past 20 years, only two lead drama actress Emmys have been won as the sole nominee for their shows — Tatiana Maslany for “Orphan Black” in 2016 and Patricia Arquette for “Medium” in 2005. It’s a steep climb for Bates’ procedural drama.
Elsewhere, Bella Ramsey chose “Convergence,” the season two finale from HBO’s “The Last of Us” — the harrowing finale episode that showcases depth and intensity for the 20-year-old performer. A very wise choice.
Three-time “Hacks” winner Jean Smart submitted “I Love LA” — the fourth episode showing the first taping of “Late Night with Deborah Vance” and how it doesn’t go according to plan. It’s hard to bet against Smart at this point, looking to continue her historic run.
ABC
Previous winner Quinta Brunson went with “Strike” from ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” that highlights Janine’s growth during a pivotal teacher protest. Notably, this episode isn’t among the required six episodes submitted for the comedy series trophy, nor is it her own writing episode. Moreover, her Emmy-nominated supporting actresses — Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph — also submitted different episodes entirely. Is this a thoughtful strategy to get TV Academy members to watch more episodes of the 22-episode season? Perhaps.
Ayo Edebiri’s “Legacy” from “The Bear” presents a tightly wound character unraveling as her character Sydney, considers a position at a different restaurant.
When a show like “The Bear” dominates multiple categories — as it did last year — it raises the question: Are voters casting ballots based on their full impression of the series, rather than comparing submissions side-by-side?
Streaming has fundamentally changed television consumption. Bingeable formats and serialized storytelling make it harder for voters to isolate an individual episode. Instead, performances are judged within the context of a season-long arc, making specific episode submissions feel almost arbitrary.
Still, for performers in highly competitive categories, the right episode can crystallize a character’s transformation, emotional arc, or comic brilliance in a way that lingers in voters’ minds.
So, does it still matter?
The short answer: yes — but maybe not as much as it used to. While episode selection remains an important strategic tool, momentum and overall series reception appear to be the strongest indicators of Emmy success.
Interestingly, the lead actress limited series category doesn’t require performers to submit a specific episode. Instead, voters evaluate the performance across the entire series. However, that’s not the case for supporting categories, which begs the question — why?
Your guess is as good as mine. The TV Academy is always chock full of weird, unexplainable rules.
The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, will broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. The ceremony will also stream live and on-demand through select Paramount+ packages.
See all of Variety’s Award Predictions
Awards Circuit Predictions: Emmys
Current Variety Emmy Predictions (as of Aug. 13, 2025)
Drama Series:
“Severance” (Apple TV+)
Comedy Series:
“The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Limited Series:
“Adolescence” (Netflix)
TV Movie:
“Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)
Lead Drama Actor:
Noah Wyle, “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Lead Comedy Actor:
Seth Rogen, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Lead Actor Limited:
Stephen Graham, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
Lead Drama Actress:
Kathy Bates, “Matlock” (CBS)
Lead Comedy Actress:
Jean Smart, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
Lead Actress Limited:
Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex” (FX)
Supporting Drama Actor:
Tramell Tillman, “Severance” (Apple TV+)
Supporting Comedy Actor:
Harrison Ford, “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)
Supporting Actor Limited:
Owen Cooper, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
Supporting Drama Actress:
Carrie Coon, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
Supporting Comedy Actress:
Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Supporting Actress Limited:
Erin Doherty, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
Guest Drama Actor:
Shawn Hatosy, “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Guest Drama Actress:
Kaitlyn Dever, “The Last of Us” (HBO Max)
Guest Comedy Actor:
Bryan Cranston, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Guest Comedy Actress:
Julianne Nicholson, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
Competition Program:
“The Traitors” (Peacock)
Structured Reality:
“Shark Tank” (ABC)
Unstructured Reality:
“Love on the Spectrum” (Netflix)
Talk Series:
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS)
Scripted Variety:
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO Max)
Variety Special Live:
“Beyoncé Bowl” (Netflix)
Variety Special Pre-Recorded:
“Adam Sandler: Love You” (Netflix)
Documentary Series:
“Social Studies” (FX)
Documentary Special:
“Pee-wee as Himself” (HBO Max)
Hosted Nonfiction:
“My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman” (Netflix)
Exceptional Merit:
“I Am Celine Dion” (Prime Video)
Directing Drama:
Ben Stiller, “Severance” (Apple TV+)
Directing Comedy:
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Directing Limited:
Philip Barantini, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
Directing Documentary:
Matt Wolf, “Pee-wee as Himself” (HBO Max)
Directing Variety Special:
Liz Patrick, “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” (NBC)
Directing Variety Series:
Paul Pennolino, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO Max)
Directing Reality:
Cian O’Clery, “Love on the Spectrum” (Netflix)
Writing Drama:
“Severance” (Apple TV+) — “Cold Harbor” by Dan Erickson
Writing Comedy:
“The Rehearsal” (HBO Max) – “Pilot’s Code” by Nathan Fielder
Writing Limited:
“Adolescence” (Netflix) – Series by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham
Writing Variety Series:
“The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
Writing Variety Special:
“Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” (Netflix)
Writing Nonfiction:
“Martha” (Netflix) by RJ Cutler
Game Show:
“Jeopardy” (ABC)
Game Show Host:
Jimmy Kimmel, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (ABC)
Reality Host:
Alan Cumming, “The Traitors” (Peacock)
Animated Program:
“Arcane” (Netflix)
