This year’s Emmy nominations have been announced, and leading the charge are the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Severance and the highly anticipated The Penguin, alongside the breakout drama Adolescence which has made a remarkable impression.

Severance, a chilling workplace thriller set in a dystopian corporate environment, has amassed an impressive total of 27 nominations for its second season, making it the frontrunner in the drama categories. The series, which has captivated audiences with its unique premise and compelling storytelling, will compete for the prestigious title of Best Drama Series. Its competitors include notable titles such as Andor, The Diplomat, The Last of Us, Slow Horses, The White Lotus, and the new series Paradise, along with the breakout medical drama The Pitt, which has also garnered attention with 13 nominations.

In the acting categories, Adam Scott, known for his role in Severance, leads the nominees for Best Drama Actor, facing tough competition from Sterling K. Brown in Paradise, Gary Oldman for Slow Horses, Pedro Pascal from The Last of Us, and Noah Wyle of The Pitt. Furthermore, Scott’s co-star Britt Lower is among the nominees for Best Drama Actress, contending against Keri Russell in The Diplomat, Bella Ramsey from The Last of Us, Sharon Horgan in Bad Sisters, and the legendary Kathy Bates in Matlock, who at 77 has made history as the oldest nominee in this category.

Meanwhile, The White Lotus, an HBO sensation, also made a significant mark this year, securing 23 nominations and showcasing performances from esteemed actors such as Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Walton Goggins, and Jason Isaacs.

In the comedy realm, The Studio, another Apple TV+ entry, has broken records previously held by the beloved Ted Lasso, earning itself 23 nominations and competing for Best Comedy Series against heavyweights like Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking, and What We Do in the Shadows. Star Seth Rogen leads the nominees for Best Comedy Actor, with competition from Adam Brody for Nobody Wants This, Jeremy Allen White in The Bear, Jason Segel for Shrinking, and Martin Short from Only Murders in the Building. The nominees for Best Comedy Actress include Jean Smart for Hacks, Ayo Edebiri for The Bear, Quinta Brunson in Abbott Elementary, Kristen Bell for Nobody Wants This, and Uzo Aduba for the recently cancelled The Residence.

Turning to the limited series category, The Penguin shines brightly with 24 nominations, positioning itself as a strong contender against fellow nominees such as Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and the Netflix phenomenon Adolescence, which has quickly risen to prominence and garnered 13 nominations. This gripping series explores the aftermath of a tragic school shooting and has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Netflix’s second most-watched English-language series ever. Notable performances in Adolescence have been recognized with nominations for actors Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters, and breakout star Owen Cooper, who, at just 15 years old, has made history as the youngest actor nominated in the Limited Series Supporting Actor category.

Owen Cooper will compete against heavyweights such as Colin Farrell from The Penguin, Jake Gyllenhaal in Presumed Innocent, Brian Tyree Henry for Dope Thief, and Cooper Koch from Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. In the Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie category, several prominent names are nominated, including Cate Blanchett for Disclaimer, Meghann Fahy for Sirens, Rashida Jones for Black Mirror, Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex, and Cristin Milioti for The Penguin.

Noteworthy mentions in this year’s nominations include a nod to Beyoncé for her Netflix halftime show Beyoncé Bowl, as well as acclaimed directors Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard for their roles in The Studio and Shrinking, respectively. Harrison Ford also received his first-ever Emmy nomination for his performance in Shrinking.

However, the nominations were not without controversy, as several notable snubs were observed, including the absence of Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Voice in their respective categories. Other surprising omissions included Renee Zellweger for her role in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, which, despite being classified as a TV movie due to its streaming release in the U.S., failed to earn her a nomination. Similarly, Keira Knightley was overlooked for her performance in the Netflix thriller Black Doves, while The Four Seasons received only a single nod for Colman Domingo, and Your Friends and Neighbours was recognized only for its main title theme music.

Cris Abrego, the chair of the television academy, noted that this year saw a record number of members participating in the voting process, leading to a diverse array of nominees. Last year, the Emmy awards celebrated winners such as Shōgun, Hacks, The Bear, and Baby Reindeer.

The highly anticipated Emmy awards ceremony is set to take place on September 14, with comedian Nate Bargatze taking on the role of host.