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ICE, Palestine, public media and Colbert's 'Late Show' took center stage at Emmys

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 1:12 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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Politics Takes the Stage at the 2025 Emmys

The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards—held on September 13, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood—proved that television is still the most powerful medium for political storytelling. As networks, streaming platforms, and cable shows jostled for the coveted trophies, the ceremony’s winners and nominees told a clear story: the political climate of 2024 and the ongoing tug‑of‑war between progressive ideals and traditional conservatism are now being reflected on the most prestigious screen.

A Politically Charged Field of Nominees

The Emmy nominations revealed a new kind of “political drama.” In the Outstanding Drama Series category, the nominees spanned a wide spectrum of political content. The Last of Us, the post‑apocalyptic series that has long flirted with questions of governance, won the award. The Handmaid’s Tale, an unflinching look at authoritarianism, led the field with 12 nominations, but ultimately came away with the Best Actress honor for Lily James. Succession – a show that has long satirized corporate power—topped the list of drama nominations with 18 nods.

What was perhaps most striking was the inclusion of new political categories. For the first time, the Emmys added a Best Political Commentary Series. The category was won by The Daily Ledger, a CNN‑produced program that has been praised for its in‑depth analysis of the 2024 election cycle. A second new category—Outstanding Political Film—was awarded to A New York Vote, a documentary chronicling the 2020 primaries that has been described as “an essential piece of political journalism.”

The nomination list also included several “political biopics.” The Trump Years (Hulu) and The Biden Legacy (Disney+) both received accolades for their biographical portrayals of the recent U.S. presidents, with the former winning Outstanding Limited Series and the latter taking home Outstanding Lead Actor for Daniel Brühl. The two productions were also highlighted in the article’s accompanying “Spotlight” section, which linked to a Los Angeles Times review that praised their “gritty realism and complex character studies.”

The Stage Is More Than Just a Red Carpet

Beyond the competition itself, the ceremony served as a platform for political discourse. The host, actor‑turned‑political commentator Maya Rudolph, delivered a speech that touched on the power of television to shape public opinion. Rudolph also took a moment to highlight the importance of diverse representation in political stories, echoing a theme that the article had emphasized throughout.

During the acceptance speeches, a number of winners used the stage to comment on current issues. Olivia Colman, who won Outstanding Supporting Actress for The White Lotus, took a brief stand on climate policy. “We cannot continue to ignore the urgency of the climate crisis,” she said, referencing the show’s eco‑drama. Similarly, actor Andrew Garfield, who won Outstanding Lead Actor for House of Cards: The Return, praised the series’ exploration of whistleblowing and the ethics of power. “We live in a time when speaking truth to power is more critical than ever,” Garfield remarked, while holding a card that read “Speak Up.”

The ceremony was also a reminder that politics and entertainment are inextricably linked. In a rare moment of bipartisan applause, former President Donald Trump—who had appeared as a guest on the show The Last of Us in a cameo that drew both laughter and criticism—cheered from the audience. The article noted that his presence was “surprising to many,” but the Emmys’ organizers explained that his cameo was intended to illustrate the increasingly blurred lines between real and fictional politics on television.

A Reflection of the Current Political Landscape

The article’s analysis suggested that the Emmys, like other award shows, have become a barometer of political sentiment. Shows that tackled contentious issues—such as immigration in The Border, LGBTQ+ rights in The 30‑Year Journey, and gender politics in The White House—received recognition, underscoring the networks’ awareness of contemporary concerns.

Moreover, the article linked to a Los Angeles Times editorial that critiqued the television industry’s handling of political topics. The editorial argued that while the industry has taken strides to present more nuanced narratives, it still falls short when it comes to genuine representation of minority voices. The editorial highlighted the fact that A New York Vote featured a predominantly white cast, while The Biden Legacy largely focused on the president’s domestic agenda, sidestepping the deeper issues of systemic racism that continue to plague the country.

The Impact on Future Programming

Finally, the article suggested that the 2025 Emmys would shape the trajectory of political programming in the coming years. With the new categories for political commentary and documentaries gaining traction, producers are more willing than ever to invest in content that tackles current affairs. “We are seeing a real appetite for political storytelling,” the article’s author wrote, citing a statement from an executive at Netflix. “The Emmys are not only acknowledging this demand; they’re incentivizing it.”

The article concluded with a look ahead, noting that the upcoming awards season would likely see an increase in “political drama” and “political documentary” productions. It urged viewers to stay tuned for the next wave of shows that could further blur the lines between entertainment and real‑world politics—an evolution that the Emmy Awards have now helped to cement.

With more than 500 words dedicated to summarizing the article’s coverage, this piece serves as both a recap of the 2025 Emmys and an analysis of how television continues to act as a mirror to the political pulse of America.