Whether you plan on watching the Emmys or not, there’s no question that there are some seriously great shows nominated for TV’s biggest awards in 2025.
There’s also no question, however, that it’s nearly impossible to watch all of them, even if you’re a television superfan.
So whether you’re wondering which shows to root for or just what to watch next, check out the Watch With Us team’s list of must-watch, Emmy-nominated shows. Our list includes hit shows now streaming on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more.
‘The Last of Us’ (2023-Present)
Who knew a show based on a video game about mushroom zombies could make us feel so many emotions? The Last of Us follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler who lost his daughter in the outbreak of a world-ending fungal disease, when he’s tasked with escorting Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the country for an important mission. In the second season, their journey took some extremely shocking twists — proving that in an apocalyptic landscape crawling with mindless monsters, the scariest thing out there is still human beings. Phenomenal performances, production design and action make this an unmissable show.
The Last of Us is nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Pedro Pascal) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Bella Ramsey).
Watch The Last of Us on HBO Max.
‘Severance’ (2022-Present)
Adam Scott stars in this darkly comedic thriller series about the employees at a biotech company, Lumon, who have undergone “Severance” — a medical procedure that ensures they retain no memories of the outside world while at work and have no recollection of their job once they leave. This procedure results in two distinct personalities for each employee: the “innie,” who exists solely within Lumon, and the “outie,” who lives their personal life outside of work. But as the severed employees soon learn, there’s a cost to such a separation, especially when one side of your personality begins discovering conspiracies. Severance is a searing satire of corporate life that deconstructs identity and workplace culture.
August 2025 is a little slow for new HBO Max dramas, with most of its big prestige releases being saved for the fall — like IT: Welcome to Derry or A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. But one big drama release is coming — Peacemaker is returning for season 2. If you’re still craving drama, the platform […]
Severance received a whopping 27 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Adam Scott) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Britt Lower), Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (“Chikhai Bardo” by Jessica Lee Gagné and “Cold Harbor” by Ben Stiller) and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Cold Harbor” by Dan Erickson).
‘Arcane’ (2021-2024)
The online role-playing game League of Legends doesn’t have much in the way of plot — just cool-looking characters. But thanks to Arcane, the series adaptation of League of Legends, animation fans knew that a video game adaptation could make you cry before The Last of Us came to HBO. Arcane follows two sisters, Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder (Ella Purnell), who wind up on opposite sides of a civil war between the wealthy city of Piltover and its underground neighbor, Zaun. Technology, magic and personal vendettas collide in this heartbreaking story of betrayal and love that shocked viewers with its stunning animation. If you like intricate worldbuilding and complex plots, don’t miss Arcane.
Animation is a unique blend of visual art, technology and storytelling, but it’s too often brushed aside as “just for kids.” Of course, that’s not true, with more animated movies like The Boy and the Heron and Flow appealing to adults as well as children, if not more so. While many (though not all!) of […]
Since animated shows are mostly honored at the Creative Arts Emmys, we already know that Arcane won Outstanding Animated Program. The series was also nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing for an Animated Program.
‘Mid-Century Modern’ (2025-Present)
This underappreciated sitcom from the creators of Will & Grace didn’t get as much love as we would have liked, but it did snag a few nominations, so we’re taking the opportunity to give it a shoutout. Mid-Century Modern follows a group of gay men who, after the death of their close friend, decide to live together as a found family in their house in Palm Springs. Featuring comedy superstars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin (in her final role before her death), this show brings a winning combination of laughs and heart with a modern twist, set against a classic sitcom backdrop.
Mid-Century Modern was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (“Here’s to You, Mrs. Schneiderman,” James Burrows). It also received 3 Creative Arts Emmy nominations: Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series, Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour) and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Multi-Camera Comedy Series.
Watch Mid-Century Modern on Hulu.
‘Dying for Sex’ (2025)
This limited series is one of the best blends of comedy and tragedy we’ve ever seen. It stars Michelle Williams as Molly, a woman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and decides to use her remaining years to live out her previously unfulfilled sexual fantasies with the help of her best friend Nikki (Jenny Slate). As Molly explores her sexuality and learns to embrace her death, she and Nikki lean on each other — with the knowledge that they will forever be the most important relationship in each other’s lives.
More than a show about cancer or sex, this limited series is about the love between two best friends who would do anything for each other — and how loving someone that much can be painful, but it’s always worth it. The performances by Slate and Williams are luminous, heartfelt and completely lovable.
If you’re like us, you were hooked on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives over the past year. But if you’re missing the ladies of MomTok and their scandalous stories, we recommend checking out another show about Mormon wives — albeit a group who are very different from the MomTok crew. And no, we don’t […]
Dying for Sex is nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series (Michelle Williams), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (Rob Delaney), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series (Jenny Slate), Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (“It’s Not That Serious,” Shannon Murphy) and Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (“Good Value Diet Soda,” Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether).
