2025 Emmys: Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Bringing the Limited or Anthology Series or Movie division to a close, we take a look at the Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress categories.

What You’ll Find in This Article

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: The Nominees

Bryan Tyree Henry’s Performance in Dope Thief

Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell Square Off

The Verdict: Cooper Koch vs. Stephen Graham

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: The Nominees

Rashida Jones vs. Cate Blanchett

The Case for Meghann Fahy

The Verdict: Cristin Milioti Goes Head-to-Head With Michelle Williams

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Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: The Nominees

The Lead Actor category happens to feature a couple of movie stars who usually get themselves Oscar nominations. What they did on the small screen can hardly be considered slumming, so let’s dive into it and take a look at who’s who and what’s what.

The nominees are:

Colin Farrell for The Penguin

Stephen Graham for Adolescence

Jake Gyllenhaal for Presumed Innocent

Cooper Koch for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Brian Tyree Henry for Dope Thief

Bryan Tyree Henry’s Performance in Dope Thief

Brian Tyree Henry is quickly becoming one of those actors who have to be seen every time he shows up in something (seriously, he never makes a misstep).

Even in a lesser work like, say, the Marvel movie Eternals, you have to acknowledge that he is at the top of his craft. Is he one of the best actors of his generation, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts winning these awards by the barrel? This year is not when this is going to start, but it’s important to note these things.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell Square Off

The movie stars come next. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a fabulous performance in Presumed Innocent, the David E. Kelley reimagining of the Harrison Ford movie from the early ’90s (based on a book written in the ’80s).

It’s hard to follow in the footsteps of a legend, but Gyllenhaal made the role his own. Colin Farrell’s transformation into the Penguin, meanwhile, was unrecognizable in The Batman three years ago and is still jarring. The unbridled evil dripping off that performance was strong enough to require a shower after viewing.

In other years, I think Farrell would be the frontrunner. It’s a shame that two actors are lined up in front of him.

The Verdict: Cooper Koch vs. Stephen Graham

Cooper Koch’s breakout performance as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story took everyone by surprise. Turning a convicted murderer into a multifaceted and, arguably, sympathetic figure is hard enough, but consider that it’s the first major role of his career, much less the first lead role, and it becomes even more impressive. It’s an astonishing piece of work that establishes him as a young actor to watch.

In any other year, I think he would be something of a shoo-in for this thing. Unfortunately, this year he’s up against Stephen Graham, the star and co-creator of Adolescence. Graham has made a successful career out of cops, criminals, thugs, lowlifes and others of the type.

Eddie Miller is similar to these guys, but he’s a working-class gent, a devoted family man who owns his own business and only wants the best for his two children.

Graham appears in just two of the series’ four episodes, specifically the first and last ones. Still, in those episodes, he shows us a father’s desperation as he so badly wants to believe his son is not capable of the horrible thing he’s accused of doing, struggles to keep his family together, and ultimately has to face the reality of the situation.

The show’s final scene, as Eddie kisses his son’s teddy bear and realizes that he is guilty of every parent’s nightmare — failing his child — is utterly devastating, and perhaps the finest moment of an already impressive career.

With apologies to the young Mr. Koch, who now has a burgeoning career of his own and will surely be back here sooner rather than later, this is Stephen Graham’s award to lose.

Who Should Win: Stephen Graham

Who Will Win: Stephen Graham

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: The Nominees

We now get to the one category in this division that doesn’t have anyone from Adolescence in it, which means that we’re going to have a very different conversation.

The nominees are:

Cate Blanchett for Disclaimer

Cristin Milioti for The Penguin

Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex

Meghann Fahy for Sirens

Rashida Jones for Black Mirror

Rashida Jones vs. Cate Blanchett

I have to admit to never being a huge Black Mirror fan, just because that particular kind of dystopian storytelling doesn’t tend to be my thing. Call me a delicate flower if you must, but there it is.

I’ve seen episodes here and there, and when these nominations were announced, I watched the episode for which Rashida Jones was nominated, so I know enough to talk about it.

Jones is a skilled actress and a talented writer (who had written an episode in a previous season of the show), and her performance in this particular episode is pretty powerful. That said, I think this is one of those nominations that is its own reward.

Cate Blanchett is one of the best actresses on the planet, and I think that’s why she earned this nomination. This is the second time she’s earned an Emmy nod for a performance (she also earned one for producing Mrs. America), and I think the odds are in her favor that she will someday win one; I just don’t think it’s this year.

The show, directed by the brilliant Alfonso Cuarón, never really found an audience, and while it’s good, I don’t think enough people care about it to give it a win here.

The Case for Meghann Fahy

The most interesting nominee in this category is actually Meghann Fahy, who was nominated previously for season 2 of The White Lotus. This is an actress whose star is on the rise, and I think it’s only a matter of time before she hits the stratosphere.

Sirens was a fun show that sort of fell apart at the end, but Fahy ably holds the whole thing together. This nomination feels like a signal to the industry that people are paying attention to her, and we’re going to be seeing a lot more of her in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Ultimately, though, I think this race is between Cristin Milioti and Michelle Williams.

The Verdict: Cristin Milioti Goes Head-to-Head With Michelle Williams

If you’ve been paying attention, you know how talented Milioti is, and that it was only a matter of time before she landed a role like Sofia Falcone. Sofia is a dark, devious, nearly perfect villain, and Milioti not only holds her own with costar Colin Farrell, she owns every scene she’s in.

Williams, meanwhile, has been giving us spectacular work for a couple of decades now, with Oscar and Emmy nominations galore, and a win six years ago for playing Gwen Verdon in Fosse/Verdon opposite Sam Rockwell.

Williams is absolutely devastating as Molly, the woman dying of cancer who decides to go out on her own terms. It’s one of those multifaceted roles that expertly mixes tragedy and comedy, with laughs one moment and tears the next.

It’s remarkable, and completely different from what Milioti does, though what she does is remarkable, too.

I think this is a toss-up. If it were up to me, I might root for a tie, but since that’s not going to happen, I’m going to say that Milioti’s villainous turn is going to get a couple more votes than Williams’ tragicomic one. Does she deserve it more? Maybe by the tiniest, thinnest hair. Maybe.

Who Should Win: Cristin Milioti (by a tiny, thin hair)

Who Will Win: Cristin Milioti

Final Takeaways

The latest Emmy nominees in limited series show that great performances come from a mix of seasoned pros and breakout newcomers. Whether transforming into chilling villains or deeply flawed family men, these actors prove that commitment and nuance matter. If you’re an up-and-coming actor aiming to make your mark, here are some takeaways from this year’s standout contenders:

Don’t shy away from morally ambiguous or difficult roles. They can showcase your range and depth.

Even with limited screen time, a powerful, memorable moment can define your career.

Take risks with character transformations; the more unrecognizable you are, the more you stand out.

Build your craft steadily. Consistency keeps you on industry radars.

Collaborate and create. Involvement beyond acting can sharpen your perspective and opportunities.