2025 Emmy Contenders Revealed And The Internet Already Has Its Winners
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on May 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM EDT
With the 2025 Emmy Awards quickly approaching, fans aren’t just watching the nominees. They’re betting on them.
A new study from Vegas Insider, which was shared with The Blast, has revealed the top contenders in each major category, using a unique blend of fan-driven data and betting odds to forecast who might take home gold.
The analysis crunched six key metrics, Wikipedia searches, IMDb ratings, Reddit threads, YouTube presence, Google Trends, and TikTok buzz, to determine who’s dominating the digital conversation and emerging as front-runners in the race for the 2025 Emmy Awards.
'Squid Game' Star And Kathy Bates Lead Drama Acting Races In 2025 Emmy Awards Forecast
In the Lead Actor in a Drama category, "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae is the clear favorite with a 17.99% implied probability of winning and +456 American odds. He’s trailed closely by Adam Scott ("Severance," +466), while Sterling K. Brown ("Paradise") and Gary Oldman ("Slow Horses") are also scoring big with fans.
On the actress side, Kathy Bates’ return in "Matlock" is making waves. She tops the Drama Lead Actress predictions with an 18.05% win chance.
Britt Lower ("Severance") and Elisabeth Moss ("The Handmaid’s Tale") remain strong contenders, with "The Last of Us" breakout Bella Ramsey not far behind despite facing intense online backlash.
Critics and fans alike have lauded Ramsey’s performance, but some viewers have targeted the young star for not resembling Ellie from the original video game, a wave of cyberbullying so severe it reportedly led her to delete her social media accounts. The situation has sparked growing concern about the damaging effects of online hate campaigns on young actors and highlighted the broader issue of toxicity and gatekeeping within the gaming community.
Comedy King And Queen? 'The Bear' Duo Tops 2025 Emmy Odds In Lead Acting Categories
"The Bear" continues its awards streak, with Jeremy Allen White leading the Comedy Lead Actor field at 22.17% (+351). He’s followed by Seth Rogen ("The Studio") and Jason Segel ("Shrinking"), both of whom are riding high on fan adoration.
In the Lead Actress in a Comedy category, Ayo Edebiri ("The Bear") shines with a chart-topping 22.27% implied probability and +349 odds, edging out Quinta Brunson ("Abbott Elementary") and Jean Smart ("Hacks").
Colin Farrell And Cristin Milioti Soar In Emmy Race Thanks To 'The Penguin'
Over in the Limited/Anthology space, "The Penguin" is drawing massive attention.
Colin Farrell leads the actor category (+371), while Cristin Milioti sits atop the Lead Actress list (+357), thanks to her role in the same "Batman" universe spinoff.
Michelle Williams ("Dying for Sex") and Amanda Seyfried ("Long Bright River") are also in the mix, along with Cate Blanchett for "Disclaimer" and Ruth Negga for "Presumed Innocence."
'The Last Of Us' And 'The Bear' Lead The Pack In 2025 Emmy Showdown, But The Race Is Tight
In the race for Outstanding Drama Series, HBO’s "The Last of Us" leads the charge with 14.18% odds (+605), narrowly ahead of "Severance," "Andor," and "Squid Game," which still boast strong support.
For comedies, "The Bear" once again claws to the top, followed by "The Studio," "Hacks," "Abbott Elementary," and "Shrinking."
Apple TV's "Shrinking," Hulu's "Only Murders In The Building," and Netflix's "Nobody Wants This" are also contenders.
Netflix’s 'Adolescence' Surges Ahead In Emmy Race, But It’s 'Monsters' Making Real-Life Waves
And in the Limited/Anthology Series category, Netflix’s "Adolescence" is the surprise front-runner (+358), with "The Penguin" (20.5%) and "Black Mirror" (19.9%) close behind.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” ignited so much public conversation that it led a judge to resentence the brothers to 50 years to life, making them newly eligible for parole, cementing the series as both a cultural lightning rod and an awards contender.
When Will The 2025 Emmys Air?
Set to air on September 14, 2025, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards will be hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze and broadcast live on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.
“By harnessing fan conversations across social media and search trends, we’ve painted a clear picture of who’s capturing viewers’ imaginations this awards season,” Ben Mendelowitz, a spokesperson for Vegas Insider, said in an email sent to The Blast. “While these odds reflect current momentum, the Emmys always hold surprises, and we expect a fiercely competitive race.”
With a mix of industry darlings and internet obsessions, this year’s Emmys are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet. One thing’s for sure. Fans will be watching and tweeting every second.
