HBO Max’s Emmy-nominated freshman drama “The Pitt” was this year’s big winner at the 41st Annual Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards, landing four prizes overall — including program of the year, outstanding achievement in drama, outstanding new program and individual achievement in drama (for star Noah Wyle).
“It is an honor to be nominated, especially in that company, and it is incredibly gratifying to win,” Wyle said in his pre-taped acceptance speech to TCA members. “I’ve known a lot of you for a long time. You’ve written some lovely things about me through the years and about my shows, especially this one.”
Because there was no Television Critics Assn. press tour this summer, the TCA Awards went virtual — and the 2025 winners were revealed Wednesday morning via a press release and over social media, as some honorees sent in thank-you videos to the org. Besides recognizing the year’s best programming in comedy, drama, movies/miniseries/specials, variety/talk/sketch, reality, news/information, family and children’s fare, the TCA also gave a career achievement award to “Matlock” star Kathy Bates, and chose “Sesame Street” for this year’s heritage award.
Besides “Matlock,” Bates was recognized for an impressive resume of TV work including “Two and a Half Men” and “American Horror Story: Coven” (both of which earned her Emmys), as well as roles in programs like “The Office,” “Six Feet Under,” “King of the Hill,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Harry’s Law” and “Feud: Bette and Joan.”
“Your recognition means the world to me, and I’m grateful to all of the TCA members for this incredible honor,” Bates said in a statement. “Your support and dedication to the television industry are invaluable, and I am truly humbled by your acknowledgment.”
As for “Sesame Street,” the show was given the TCA’s heritage award “in recognition of the groundbreaking program’s enduring cultural impact and strong commitment to helping generations of children learn their ABCs, 123s, and so much more. ‘Sesame Street’ made television history as the first kid-focused series to employ educational goals and develop its programming around an actual curriculum.
Among other categories, Apple TV+’s “The Studio” won in comedy, while Netflix’s “Adolescence” picked up the prize among movies, miniseries and specials. In reality, Peacock’s “The Traitors” won for the second year in a row.
“The Traitors” host/exec producer Alan Cumming said it “really means a lot, especially coming from the critics, because when you start something new and different and you’re trying to change a genre, in a way, it’s really heartening that the critics get that and notice and receive it in the way that it was intended and support it.”
Also landing its second consecutive TCA Award was Disney+’s “Doctor Who,” for family programming, while “Sesame Street” was also once again named best in children’s fare — having also won the youth category in 2001, 2011 and 2018.
The TCA Awards gives out gender-neutral prizes in acting; besides Wyle for drama, “Somebody Somewhere” star Bridget Everett won in comedy.
“I am beyond grateful to be honored for this show, which has meant so much to me,” Everett said. “And I’m especially grateful to have the opportunity to thank you, the critics, who saw what we were trying to do from the very beginning.”
The TCA Awards are chosen by the org’s 235 members, out of programming from the 2024-2025 TV season. The prize for program of the year — which pits all genres and types of series against each other — has aligned with the eventual Emmy winner for drama, comedy or limited series seven times in the past decade. The exceptions were Fox’s “Empire” in 2015, FX’s “The Americans” in 2018 and ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” in 2022. During that span, the award also anticipated several so-called “shocking” winners, including Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” in 2017, the first streaming program to win at the Emmys, and Amazon’s “Fleabag,” which swept the 2019 ceremony.
“Each of these TCA Award winners not only entertained us, but also immersed us in the lives of characters, both fictional and real-life. We’re thrilled to honor them,” said TCA president Andy Dehnart. “TCA exists to support our members’ work and celebrate TV’s role in our culture, and with these awards and accompanying videos, we’re doing both.”
Here’s the list of 2025 TCA Award winners:
Program of the Year — “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy — “The Studio” (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Achievement in Drama — “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials — “Adolescence” (Netflix)
Outstanding New Program — “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Individual Achievement in Drama — Noah Wyle, “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Individual Achievement in Comedy — Bridget Everett, “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO)
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information — “Pee-wee as Himself” (HBO)
Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk or Sketch — “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” (NBC)
Outstanding Achievement in Reality — “The Traitors” (Peacock) (2024 Winner)
Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming — “Doctor Who” (Disney+) (2024 Winner)
Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming — “Sesame Street” — (HBO)
Career Achievement Award – Kathy Bates
Heritage Award – “Sesame Street”
(Clayton Davis contributed to this report.)
