Best Drama Writing Emmy predictions: ‘The Pitt’ takes a risk by submitting 3 episodes
Ballots for the 2025 Emmys have officially been released and voting is currently underway in all categories. For Best Drama Series Writing, there are 132 submissions, which means there will be six finalists for the category when nominations are announced July 15.
When it comes to writing, there are two strategic approaches when it comes to seeking a slot: submit one showcase episode or flood the zone. This year, as is often the case, practically all of the frontrunners are opting for the former tactic. This includes the incumbent winner Will Smith for Slow Horses, who is the only nominee from last year eligible again. He could win his second consecutive Emmy for the Season 4 finale, a shattering, suspenseful episode surrounding River Cartwright (Jack Lowden).
But what may stop Slow Horses in its tracks would be Severance, with "Cold Harbor," the Season 2 finale scripted by creator Dan Erickson. It's just as devastating, with a race against time and multiple story turns, capped by a final twist that has left fans wanting more.
READ: ‘Holy sh-t, this is like “Star Wars”‘: The ultimate oral history of ‘Severance’ Season 2
The second episode of The Last of Us, written by showrunner Craig Mazin, features a brutal battle that ends in a tragic, heartbreaking death and changes the trajectory of the entire series. And there are standout, lengthy monologues in submissions from both The White Lotus — Sam Rockwell’s 10-minute treatise on sex, incest, and suicidal attempts — and Andor, which features Genevieve O'Reilly's Mon Mothma delivering an all-too-relevant speech on the manipulation of power and truth -- a theme similar to teleplay that earned the Star Wars series a writing nomination in its first season.
READ: Sam Rockwell on Frank’s ‘White Lotus’ backstory, Woody Harrelson’s influence
The Pitt, however, zagged while the competition zigged, presenting three choices on the ballot. There's first hour by creator R. Scott Gemmill (pilots historically do well in the writing category), the fourth episode penned by star Noah Wyle, and the eighth episode by medical consultant Joe Sachs, featuring a drowning child patient and an honor walk. The reason most shows shy away from multiple submissions is the threat of vote-splitting, especially when it comes to a debut show that hasn't yet established itself at the Emmys. Nontheless, we expect The Pitt pilot to make the cut.
The other notable series to push multiple scripts was The Handmaid’s Tale. For its final season, the Emmy-winning series submitted the last three episodes for consideration.
Most of the rest of the top contenders put forward either their pilots/premieres or their finales. This include The Day of the Jackal, Black Doves, Paradise, and Squid Game for the former, and The Diplomat for the latter.
Two other possibilities for those six slots are Bad Sisters, a previous nominee for last season, for its penultimate episode, and Industry, for its fourth installment, featuring some of the most intense dialogue and high stakes.
Here is how we see the 2025 Best Drama Writing category breaking down.
FRONTRUNNERS
Severance (Dan Erickson, “Cold Harbor”)
Slow Horses (Will Smith, “Hello Goodbye”)
The White Lotus (Mike White, “Full-Moon Party”)
The Last of Us (Craig Mazin, “Through the Valley”)
The Pitt (R. Scott Gemmill, “7:00 A.M.”)
Andor (Dan Gilroy, “Welcome to the Rebellion”)
POTENTIAL SPOILERS
The Pitt (Joe Sachs, “2:00 P.M.”)
The Diplomat (Debora Cahn, “Dreadnought”)
The Day of The Jackal (Ronan Bennett, “Episode 1”)
The Pitt (Noah Wyle, “10:00 A.M.”)
Bad Sisters (Sharon Horgan and Perrie Balthazar, “How To Pick a Prick”)
LONGSHOTS
Industry (Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, “White Mischief”)
Black Doves (Joe Barton, “To Love Then”)
Squid Game (Hwang Dong-Hyuk, “Bread and Lottery”)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Bruce Miller, “The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Paradise (Dan Fogelman, “Wildcat Is Down”)
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