HBO Max scored a record 142 nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards, the most ever for the platform. Leading the charge is the DC series The Penguin, which earned 24 nominations, tying with The White Lotus for the most from HBO.
Penguin Recognized Across Major Categories
DC’s The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell, received nominations for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Lead Actor (Farrell), Lead Actress (Cristin Milioti), and Supporting Actress (Deirdre O’Connell). Directors Helen Shaver and Jennifer Getzinger, and writer Lauren LeFranc also landed individual nominations. The strong showing confirms DC’s presence on prestige TV and puts the spinoff of The Batman in prime Emmy contention (see the full list of nominations down below).
HBO Max Dominates Across Genres
Other standout nominations for HBO Max include:
- The White Lotus – 24 noms, including Drama Series and multiple acting categories.
- The Last of Us – 17 noms, including Lead Actor (Pedro Pascal) and Lead Actress (Bella Ramsey).
- Hacks – 15 noms, including Comedy Series and Lead Actress (Jean Smart).
- The Pitt – 13 noms, including Drama Series and Lead Actor (Noah Wyle).
- House of the Dragon – 6 noms, mostly in technical categories.
- Last Week Tonight – 6 noms, including Variety Series.
Additional Nods for Max Originals
Max Originals like Dune: Prophecy, Conan O’Brien Must Go, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story picked up nominations, showcasing the platform’s range across scripted, nonfiction, and documentary content.
Statement from HBO’s CEO
“These Emmy nominations highlight the exceptional craftsmanship and storytelling that define HBO Max,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman & CEO, HBO & HBO Max Content. “From The Pitt and Noah Wyle’s standout recognition to Somebody Somewhere‘s first nomination for its final season, it’s incredible to see such a wide range of programming and creative talent celebrated across our slate.”
What About The Penguin Season 2?
As for a second season of DC’s The Penguin, nothing is confirmed yet. Bloys told Variety that while showrunner Lauren LeFranc and director Matt Reeves have discussed ideas, the priority right now is getting Reeves’ The Batman Part II off the ground.
“There could be another chapter,” Bloys said. “I just don’t know at this point.” He added that LeFranc is actively thinking about ways a second season could align with the film.
Colin Farrell appears interested in returning, though Bloys noted that Farrell’s commitment is key, given the time and effort involved in playing the role. As of now, there’s no timeline on an official announcement.
The Batman Part II has an October 1, 2027 release date.
HBO Max’s 142 Emmy nominations this year include:
- 24 nominations for HBO Original “The White Lotus” including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Mike White), Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Mike White), 3 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Jason Isaacs, Sam Rockwell, Walton Goggins), 4 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Aimee Lou Wood), and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Scott Glenn)
- 24 nominations for HBO Original “The Penguin” including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, 2 for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Helen Shaver, Jennifer Getzinger), Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Lauren LeFranc), Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (Colin Farrell), Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie (Cristin Milioti), and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Deirdre O’Connell)
- 17 nominations for HBO Original “The Last of Us” including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Pedro Pascal), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Bella Ramsey), 2 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Jeffrey Wright, Joe Pantoliano), and 2 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Catherine O’Hara, Kaitlyn Dever)
- 15 nominations for Max Original “Hacks” including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Lucia Aniello), Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Jean Smart), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Hannah Einbinder), and 2 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Julianne Nicholson, Robby Hoffman)
- 13 nominations for Max Original “The Pitt” including Outstanding Drama Series, 2 for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Amanda Marsalis, John Wells), 2 for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Joe Sachs, R. Scott Gemmill), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Noah Wyle), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Katherine LaNasa), and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Shawn Hatosy)
- 6 nominations for HBO Original “House of the Dragon” including Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes and Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie
- 6 nominations for HBO Original “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” including Outstanding Scripted Variety Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series (Paul Pennolino), and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- 6 nominations for HBO Original “The Righteous Gemstones” including Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (Half-Hour)
- 5 nominations for HBO Original “Pee-wee As Himself” including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
- 4 nominations for HBO Original “Dune: Prophecy” including Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or Movie
- 4 nominations for HBO Original “The Rehearsal” including Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Nathan Fielder) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- 4 nominations for HBO Original “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” including Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program (Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui) and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program (Peter Ettedgui, Ian Bonhôte, Otto Burnham)
- 4 nominations for HBO Original “100 Foot Wave” including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction series
- 2 nominations for HBO Original “Chimp Crazy” including Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction program
- 2 nominations for Max Original “Conan O’Brien Must Go” including Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction series or special and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction program
- 2 nominations for HBO Original “Somebody Somewhere” including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen, Bridget Everett) and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeff Hiller)
- 1 nomination for HBO Original “Mountainhead” for Outstanding Television Movie
- 1 nomination for HBO Original “Fantasmas” for Outstanding Hairstyling For A Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
- 1 nomination for HBO Original “Ren Faire” for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program
- 1 nomination for HBO Original “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary (Music Box)” for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction program
