Wins, wows, wtfs of the creative arts emmy awards

The 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards were an absolute whirlwind. From start
to finish, the night was a celebration of everything that makes the film
industry so exciting: incredible filmmaking, jaw dropping performances, and
those moments that just leave you gasping. Unlike the Primetime Emmys, this
award show focusses on celebrating backstage work. From casting directors to
costume designers, there is a wealth of talent behind the scenes that goes into
transforming ideas into a reality.

Whether you’re just a casual viewer or a die-hard fan, the Creative Arts
Emmys has something that grabbed everyone’s attention. There was a lot to
talk about but the biggest buzz was definitely around the limited Netflix series
‘Adolescence’, a show that dared to do something truly unique. The
performances matched the ambitious single-shot filing style, delivering a
powerful experience that resonated deeply with viewers and critics alike.
The winners: ‘The Studio’
Apple TV’s ‘The Studio’ swept the awards, walking away with nine Emmys,
including awards in cinematography, editing, and more. This meta comedy
offers a heartfelt love letter to the art of filmmaking, and was praised for its
deep affection for the craft behind the camera. Audiences were enchanted by
the shows behind the scenes vibe, so it is only fitting that the real crew were
recognised with so many awards.
The winners: ‘The Penguin’
‘The Penguin’ on HBO was another huge winner, taking home eight Emmys in
categories like prosthetics, makeup, costume design, visual effects, and sound.
The show brought blockbuster quality right into people’s living rooms and
viewers couldn’t stop talking about the exceptional detail that went into every
frame. Colin Farrell’s role as the Penguin is brilliant and transformative,
grounding the epic visuals with an incredible performance.
The winners: ‘Severance’
Apple TV continued their success streak with ‘Severance’, winning six awards
honouring its eerie production design. This goes to show the importance of the
behind-the-scenes work, as this was essential to creating the uncomfortable
atmosphere of the cult TV show.
The winners: ‘Adolescence’ and ‘Bridgerton’
Netflix had successes with their original shows, ‘Adolescence’ and ‘Bridgerton’.
‘Adolescence’ was honoured for its casting, offering hope to young aspiring
actors: Owen Cooper, who played the role of Jamie, was a previously unknown
actor selected purely for his talent, not his connections. Julie Andrews also
won her third Emmy for her voice over work on ‘Bridgerton’. For many
viewers this was a moment of pure joy, reminding us how the Emmys honour
not just new talent, but also the legends who keep inspiring us all.
The Wows: Reality TV
Scripted dramas are not the only things worth celebrating: reality television
also has its shining moments this year, with favourites like ‘Queer Eye’ and
‘Love on the Spectrum’ continuing to win hearts. These shows reminded
everyone that nonfiction storytelling can be just as powerful as scripted
drama.
The wows: Documentaries
HBO’s ‘Pee Wee as Himself’ won Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction
Special, a deeply moving tribute that included intimate interviews with Paul
Reubens before his passing, ending with a touching final audio message.
Viewers were left in awe, touched by the honesty and heart of the
documentary. Barack Obama also won his third Emmy for narration of ‘Our
Oceans’, leading to jokes that only Obama’s calming voice could make the
narration sound that good.
The WTFs: The Governors Award
The prestigious Governors Award goes to a winner who has made a significant
contribution to the TV industry. This year’s winner was US-based Corporation
for Public Broadcasting, a non-profit organization behind years of quality
public media content. In a world where the film and TV industry is being
threatened by funding cuts and AI, it is more important than ever to celebrate
organisations who continue to support independent voices.
The WTFs: Music
Cristobal Tapia de Veer won his fourth Emmy for composing the main title
theme for ‘The White Lotus’, despite some creative differences with Mike
White, the show’s creator. This win shows how important music is for setting
the mood of a show – ‘The White Lotus’ balances comedy and suspense, with
music playing a key part in building this tension.
The WTFs: Smaller wins
Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge’ took home the award for Outstanding Television Movie,
an unexpected result. It beat contenders like ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the
Boy’, proving that smaller projects stand a chance against major franchises
when they bring something fresh and compelling to the screen.
Why Adolescence’s Casting Stands Out
What makes ‘Adolescence’ so unique isn’t just its ambitious single-shot filming
style, but the incredible cast that brings the story to life. The series dives deep
into the chaotic mind of a troubled teenager, creating a tense atmosphere that
feels both raw and politically relevant. Owen Cooper’s performance is at the
heart of that, with a powerful and authentic performance that leaves viewers
breathless. His casting straight from his local drama school sets a new bar for
what young actors can do when given the right material and support – it is
difficult to believe that ‘Adolescence’ was Cooper’s first time on a professional
set. A particularly standout moment for us came in episode two, where IPM
talent Adam Khan delivered a breakout performance in his role as Tau, adding
another layer of emotional depth and elevating the school scenes. It is
refreshing to see a show which has opened doors for young actors be so
awarded on a global stage.
Final Thoughts
Looking back on the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys, it is clear that TV isn’t just
catching up to film anymore: it is creating its own space, raising the bar in new
ways. Fans were buzzing across social media and everywhere you looked, the
hype was real. If you love new and bold visual stories that push boundaries
and make you feel deeply, 2025 was definitely a year for the books. We are looking forward to the Prime time Emmys!

Author

Lily Pierce & Isabel Da Silva