Adolescence, The Pitt, and The Studio Win Big at the Second Annual Gotham Television Awards

Last night, The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced the winners of the second annual Gotham Television Awards. The ceremony was held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and livestreamed on Variety's YouTube channel.

The big winner of the night was Adolescence, the most discussed series of the year, winning three of the four awards it was nominated for. The four-episode miniseries covers the aftermath of a 13-year-old boy who murders one of his classmates. The Netflix Original debuted in March and won Breakthrough Limited Series, Lead Performance in a Limited Series (Stephen Graham), and tied for Supporting Performance in a Limited Series (Owen Cooper). Its only loss was a fourth nomination for co-star Erin Doherty in the Outstanding Supporting Performance category.

Adolescence's sweep showcases the continued strength of limited series tackling complex subject matter. Its combination of prestige talent and raw storytelling resonated with voters, even managing a rare tie in a major acting category.

Jenny Slate tied with Cooper for Supporting Performance in a Limited Series for her performance in Jenny Slate tied with Cooper for Supporting Performance in a Limited Series for her performance in Dying for Sex, which was nominated for three awards. Despite Michelle Williams’ high-profile turn and the show’s buzz, Dying for Sex ultimately lost out in both Lead Performance and Limited Series categories.

Breakthrough Comedy Series went to The Studio, while The Pitt won Breakthrough Drama Series.

In the comedy categories, Fantasmas‘ Julio Torres won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series, and Deli Boys' Poorna Jagannathan took Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series.

On the drama side, Matlock’s Kathy Bates earned Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series, while Black Doves’ Ben Whishaw received Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series.

Both The Pitt and Matlock were nominated for three awards each—including Breakthrough Drama Series and both acting categories—cementing their status as heavy hitters this season. Neither Whishaw nor Bates was present at the ceremony to accept their awards.

In other categories, Pee-wee as Himself won Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming, while Rebel Ridge’s Aaron Pierre received Outstanding Performance in an Original Film.

Social Studies won Breakthrough Nonfiction Series, continuing FX/Hulu’s dominance in documentary-style programming.

Between Adolescence, Dying for Sex, and The Pitt, this year’s awards favored emotionally intense stories with topical or socially relevant themes. TV series have routinely had quiet awards presences outside of the Emmys, but the second annual Gotham Television Awards proves that mid-budget prestige TV is on the rise yet again.

The Gotham Film & Media Institute also presented several tributes Monday night:

  • Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, along with Hwang Dong-hyuk, received Creator Tributes

  • Elisabeth Moss and the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale accepted the inaugural Ensemble Tribute

  • Brian Tyree Henry received the Performer Tribute

  • Sheryl Lee Ralph accepted the Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute

  • David E. Kelley received the Visionary Tribute

  • Parker Posey was honored with the inaugural Legend Tribute

Tributes this year leaned heavily into legacy and versatility—Parker Posey’s Legend honor feels overdue. At the same time, Brian Tyree Henry’s Performer Tribute is a nod to his rare balance of indie credibility and blockbuster draw.

With Adolescence, The Pitt, and The Studio leading their categories, the 2025 Gotham TV Awards spotlighted an industry in transition—one that’s embracing unconventional formats, niche platforms, and unflinching drama.

See the complete list of winners below.

Breakthrough Comedy Series

#1 Happy Family USA

Pam Brady, Ramy Youssef, creators; Pam Brady, Andy Campagna, Mona Chalabi, Ravi Nandan, Josh Rabinowitz, Alli Reich, Hallie Sekoff, Ramy Youssef, executive producers (Amazon Prime Video)

English Teacher

Brian Jordan Alvarez, creator; Brian Jordan Alvarez, Dave King, Jonathan Krisel, Paul Simms, executive producers (FX / Hulu)

Fantasmas 

Julio Torres, creator; Alex Bach, Olivia Gerke, Dave McCary, Daniel Powell, Emma Stone, Julio Torres, executive producers (HBO | Max)

Overcompensating

Benito Skinner, creator; Josh Bachove, Matt Dines, Sam French, Alison Goodwin, Jonah Hill, Scott King, Daniel Gray Longino, Alli Reich, Benito Skinner, Charli XCX, executive producers (Amazon Prime Video)

The Studio (WINNER)

Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Frida Perez, Seth Rogen, creators; Josh Fagan, Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Alex McAtee, Frida Perez, Seth Rogen, James Weaver, executive producers (Apple TV+)

Breakthrough Drama Series

Black Doves

Joe Barton, creator; Joe Barton, Jane Featherstone, Chris Fry, Keira Knightley, executive producers (Netflix)

Forever

Mara Brock Akil, creator; Mara Brock Akil, Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald,  Erika Harrison, Anthony Hemingway, Regina King, Reina King, Shana C. Waterman, Sara White, executive producers (Netflix) 

Matlock

Jennie Snyder Urman, creator; Kathy Bates, Kat Coiro, Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, Frank Siracusa, Jennie Snyder Urman, John Weber, John Will, executive producers (CBS)

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Josep Amorós, Gonzalo García Barcha, Carolina Caicedo, Andrés Calderón, Rodrigo García, Alex García López, Juliana Flórez Luna, Laura Mora, José Rivera, Diego Ramírez Schrempp, executive producers (Netflix) 

The Pitt (WINNER)

R. Scott Gemmill, creator; Simran Baidwan, R. Scott Gemmill, Michael Hissrich, Erin Jontow, John Wells, Noah Wyle, executive producers (HBO | Max)

Breakthrough Limited Series

Adolescence (WINNER)

Stephen Graham, Jack Thorne, creators; Philip Barantini, Emily Feller, Dede Gardner, Stephen Graham, Mark Herbert, Jeremy Kleiner, Brad Pitt, Jack Thorne, Hannah Walters, Nina Wolarsky, executive producers (Netflix)

Dying for Sex

Kim Rosenstock, Elizabeth Meriwether, creators; Nikki Boyer, Kathy Ciric, Elizabeth Meriwether, Shannon Murphy, Katherine Pope, Kim Rosenstock, Michelle Williams, executive producers (FX / Hulu)

Get Millie Back

Marlon James, creator; Marlon James, Leopoldo Gout, Simon Maxwell, Jami O’Brien, executive producers (HBO | Max)

Penelope 

Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn, creators; Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Shuli Harel, executive producers; (Netflix)

Say Nothing 

Joshua Zetumer, creator; Nina Jacobson, Patrick Radden Keefe, Michael Lennox, Monica Levinson, Edward L. McDonnell, Brad Simpson, Joshua Zetumer, executive producers; (FX/Hulu)

Breakthrough Nonfiction Series

Conbody Vs Everybody

Debra Granik, creator; Joslyn Barnes, Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini, Diane Weyermann, executive producers; (Self-distributed)

Hollywood Black

Justin Simien, creator; Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jill Burkhart, Shayla Harris, Jon Kamen, Amy Goodman Kass, Kyle Laursen, Stacey Reiss, Jeffrey Schwarz, Justin Simien, Dave Sirulnick, Forest Whitaker, Michael Wright, executive producers (MGM+)

Omnivore

Cary Joji Fukunaga, Matt Goulding, René Redzepi, creators; Michael Antinoro, Matt Goulding, Ben Liebmann, Collin Orcutt, René Redzepi, Chris Rice, Max Wagner, Mateo Willis, executive producers (Apple TV+)

Ren Faire 

Nancy Abraham, Dani Bernfeld, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Lisa Heller, David Gauvey Herbert, Lance Oppenheim, Sara Rodriguez, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie,  executive producers (HBO | Max)

Social Studies (WINNER)

Lauren Greenfield, creator; Frank Evers, Lauren Greenfield, executive producers (FX/Hulu)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series 

Ted Danson, A Man on the Inside (Netflix)

Anna Lambe, North of North (Netflix)

Saagar Shaikh, Deli Boys (Hulu)

Benito Skinner, Overcompensating (Amazon Prime Video)

Julio Torres, Fantasmas (HBO | Max) (WINNER)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series

Kathy Bates, Matlock (CBS) (WINNER)

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise (Hulu)

Aldis Hodge, Cross (Amazon Prime Video) 

Lovie Simone, Forever (Netflix)

Noah Wyle, The Pitt (HBO | Max)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series

Stephen Graham, Adolescence (Netflix) (WINNER)

Brian Tyree Henry, Dope Thief (Apple TV+)

Cristin Milioti, The Penguin (HBO | Max)

Megan Stott, Penelope (Netflix)

Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex (FX / Hulu)

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series 

Poorna Jagannathan, Deli Boys (Hulu) (WINNER)

Linda Lavin, Mid-Century Modern (Hulu)

Sean Patton, English Teacher (FX / Hulu)

Timothy Simons, Nobody Wants This (Netflix)

Chase Sui Wonders, The Studio (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt (HBO | Max)

James Marsden, Paradise (Hulu)

Skye P. Marshall, Matlock (CBS)

Ben Whishaw, Black Doves (Netflix) (WINNER)

Olivia Williams, Dune: Prophecy (HBO | Max)

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series

Owen Cooper, Adolescence (Netflix) (WINNER – TIE)

Erin Doherty, Adolescence (Netflix)

Taraji P. Henson, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock)

Diego Luna, La Maquina (Hulu)

Jenny Slate, Dying for Sex (FX / Hulu) (WINNER – TIE)

Outstanding Original Film, Broadcast or Streaming 

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Michael Morris, director; Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jo Wallett, producers (Peacock)

Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music

Oz Rodriguez, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, directors; Oz Rodriguez, producer (NBC)

Pee-wee as Himself (WINNER)

Matt Wolf, director; Emma Tillinger Koskoff, producer (HBO | Max)

Rebel Ridge

Jeremy Saulnier, director; Neil Kopp, Jeremy Saulnier, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani, producers (Netflix)

Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director; Eric Macdonald, Derik Murray, Joseph Patel, Stephen Sawchuk, producers (Hulu)

Outstanding Performance in an Original Film

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat (Searchlight Pictures/Hulu)

Dylan O’Brien, Caddo Lake (HBO | Max)

Aaron Pierre, Rebel Ridge (Netflix) (WINNER)

Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Out of My Mind (Disney+)

Renée Zellweger, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Peacock)

To learn more about the Gotham Awards, click here. So, what do you all think of the winners? Did your favorite television shows win? Let me know in the comments below or on our Bluesky account.

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My name is Austin Belzer. I’m a cynic, a perfectionist, high-strung (I’m told), and an overly anxious human being. I love to write. Whether it’s on GameSkinny, The BladedTech Show, Proven Gamer, The Vertical Slice, Movie Health Community, or SiftPop, I have always felt the need to write or create

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