HBO Max Celebrates Emmy Triumph with "The Pitt" as Drama Series Winner

In a stunning conclusion to the Emmy Awards ceremony, HBO Max claimed the Outstanding Drama Series award for medical drama "The Pitt," prevailing over Apple TV+'s heavily nominated "Severance." This victory marks the second consecutive year HBO Max has secured a major win in the final category of the night, following last year's Comedy Series win for "Hacks."

"The Pitt" dominated with five Emmy wins including Noah Wyle for Lead Actor, Katherine LaNasa for Supporting Actress, Shawn Hatosy for Guest Actor, and recognition for its casting team. The series, created by "ER" veterans John Wells, R. Scott Gemmill, and star Noah Wyle, has distinguished itself with an unconventional production approach for streaming television.

Unlike typical streaming dramas, "The Pitt" follows a broadcast-style model featuring 15-episode seasons—double the standard streaming length—with annual releases and moderate production budgets. The second season is scheduled to premiere in January 2026, maintaining the show's yearly cycle.

HBO's leadership confirmed they're developing additional series using this same production model, with announcements forthcoming.

The network celebrated other victories including Jeff Hiller's surprising win for "Somebody Somewhere" and Hannah Einbinder finally claiming an Emmy for "Hacks" after four seasons alongside the consistently recognized Jean Smart.

Not all HBO contenders found success, however. Despite predictions, Colin Farrell didn't win for "The Penguin," though his co-star Cristin Milioti did secure victory in her category. "The White Lotus" faced disappointment in supporting performance categories despite receiving six nominations.

The network tied with Netflix for most Emmy wins this year, each claiming 30 awards and reinforcing HBO's continued prominence in prestige television despite recent industry doubts and streaming competition.

During a Deadline interview, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav unexpectedly jumped in to applaud Casey Bloys, calling him “the man” and declaring HBO stronger than ever.

Bloys, who has been with HBO for 21 years, used the moment to push back on recurring rumors that the network is fading, asking that talk of HBO’s demise finally be laid to rest.

He celebrated the breadth of the channel’s work — dramas, comedies, specials, documentaries — and praised the teams responsible for the night’s successes.

This year’s Emmy haul for HBO included a drama series win for The Pitt, a victory for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in the scripted variety category, and documentary awards for 100 Foot Wave and Pee-wee As Himself.

Bloys noted that HBO’s strength is consistency across genres and departments rather than one show dominating everything, a subtle contrast with services that have been driven by single-title sweeps.

On The White Lotus, Bloys confirmed the fourth season is headed to France, though specific locations have yet to be finalized.

Creator Mike White was absent from the ceremony; Bloys said he believes White is in France working on the new season.

Regarding chatter that Nicolas Cage may lead the fifth season of True Detective — set in New York’s Jamaica Bay and reportedly about a detective — Bloys wouldn’t confirm casting, only noting he’s a fan of Cage.

House of the Dragon is tentatively eyeing an early summer 2026 return, which would likely fall just after the 2026 Emmy eligibility cutoff.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, once expected in 2025, is now slated for a January premiere.

Industry’s fourth season is targeting January 2026, and Bloys expressed hope that the financial drama and its cast will gain wider recognition.

Euphoria’s third season is being aimed for a spring release and should be eligible for the 2026 Emmy cycle.

HBO Max has given the green light to the Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe; Bloys offered a tentative 2026 window for its arrival and said he’s very excited about the project.

The high-profile Harry Potter series, meanwhile, is not expected until 2027.

Casey Bloys addressed a string of questions about the futures of several HBO series, trying to clear up confusion that erupted after Hannah Einbinder’s red-carpet remark that Hacks season 5 would be the comedy’s last.

Bloys reiterated that the ultimate decision rests with creators Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs — the trio who originally mapped out a five-season arc — and that HBO Max hasn’t yet received a final answer from them. “They’re thinking about it, and they’re going to let us know,” he said, emphasizing the network is leaving the endgame to the showrunners.

On Euphoria, long-rumored to conclude with its delayed third season, Bloys took a similarly measured stance: the producers will determine the show’s lifespan. He noted logistical realities around the series’ high-profile cast — Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and Colman Domingo — and acknowledged that coordinating schedules with multiple major movie stars makes continuation more complicated. Still, he said he’s excited for season 3.

Big Little Lies appears to be moving forward after its long delay: Francesca Sloane, co-creator of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, has been tapped to write the first script for a planned third season. The show’s core team includes Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman as leads and executive producers, alongside Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern and Shailene Woodley.

Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal — which earned four Emmy nominations for its second season, including writing and directing nods — has not been renewed publicly for a third season. Bloys said Fielder “takes a lot of time to think” and seems to be turning ideas over; when Fielder is ready, HBO will be, too. For context, nearly three years elapsed between seasons 1 and 2.

Looking toward the 2026 Emmy cycle, HBO Max has already put two potential contenders into play: season 3 of The Gilded Age and the limited series Task, created by Mare of Easttown’s Brad Ingelsby and starring Mark Ruffalo. Bloys suggested the 2025 Emmys have reshaped momentum heading into next year and sounded optimistic about the slate.

“We go into next year with a drama frontrunner,” he said, noting that “The Pitt” returns in January and expressing hope that Task will break through for awards. He also listed other upcoming projects that could impact the race: a new Bill Lawrence–Steve Carell series, a limited show called DTF from Steve Conrad starring Jason Bateman and David Harbour, Hacks’ return, the forthcoming season of Euphoria, and strong documentary work from Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.

Overall, Bloys struck a cautious but upbeat tone — many creative decisions are still in the hands of writers and showrunners, scheduling remains a practical hurdle for star-driven series, and HBO’s pipeline looks robust heading into the next awards cycle.

What are the Harry Potter Movies about and Where to Watch

The Harry Potter Movies chronicle the epic adventures of Harry Potter, a boy who discovers he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he confronts dark magic and his nemesis, Lord Voldemort, over seven films. For viewers wondering where to watch harry potter, the franchise is widely accessible; the films can be streamed on major platforms such as HBO Max, Peacock, or rented digitally via services like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

If you're looking to access region-restricted content such as Harry Potter movies, you may want to consider the SafeShell VPN for its exceptional streaming capabilities. The SafeShell VPN offers high-speed servers specifically optimized for Netflix streaming, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite content without buffering or interruptions. With its exclusive App Mode feature, you can unlock content from multiple regions simultaneously, expanding your entertainment options beyond geographical limitations. Additionally, SafeShell VPN allows connection on up to five devices at once, making it convenient for households with multiple viewers.

SafeShell VPN stands out with its lightning-fast speeds that eliminate throttling concerns, providing a seamless streaming experience in high definition. Your privacy remains protected through the proprietary "ShellGuard" protocol that ensures top-level security during all your browsing sessions. For those hesitant to commit immediately, SafeShell VPN offers a flexible free trial plan that lets you experience all these premium features before making a decision. With compatibility across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and various TV platforms, SafeShell VPN delivers convenience alongside superior performance for all your Netflix viewing needs.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Harry Potter with SafeShell VPN

Here’s how to stream Harry Potter movies globally using SafeShell VPN:

• Begin by installing SafeShell VPN on your device (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android) after subscribing through their official website.
• Launch the SafeShell VPN application and securely log into your account using your credentials.
• Opt for the streaming-optimized mode within SafeShell VPN settings to ensure smooth playback quality.
• Select a VPN server location matching your desired Harry Potter film region (e.g., UK for earlier releases or Japan for exclusive extras).
• Establish the connection through SafeShell VPN and verify your IP address has changed successfully.
• Open Netflix or your preferred streaming platform, navigate to the Harry Potter series, and enjoy region-unlocked magical adventures without buffering interruptions.