In a year defined by bold storytelling and diverse voices, Latino artists took a deserved share of the spotlight at the 2025 Gotham TV Awards, held Monday night at Cipriani Wall Street in downtown Manhattan.
The 2025 Gotham TV Awards, held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, celebrated a year of innovative storytelling and exceptional performances in television. The ceremony honored both emerging talents and industry veterans, highlighting the evolving landscape of TV.
Top Honors and Standout Winners
Netflix's Adolescence emerged as a significant winner, securing the Breakthrough Limited Series award. The series, which delves into the complexities of a 13-year-old boy charged with murder, also earned acting accolades for Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper. Cooper shared the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series award with Jenny Slate of Dying for Sex.
Other notable winners included The Pitt for Breakthrough Drama Series and The Studio for Breakthrough Comedy Series. Julio Torres received Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series for Fantasmas, while Kathy Bates was honored for her role in Matlock. Ben Whishaw's performance in Black Doves earned him the Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama Series award.
Torres, the Salvadoran-born creator and star of Fantasmas, won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series, marking a critical breakthrough for his HBO series and his singular voice in surrealist television. Torres's win was a highlight in an evening that embraced unconventional narratives and experimental aesthetics.
Also earning praise was the performance of Ana Villafañe, the Cuban-American actress who plays a young, justice-hungry ADA in Matlock. While Kathy Bates took home the award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama, Villafañe was namechecked by presenters for being a driving force in the show's reboot success.
The awards served as more than just a celebration of prestige TV. They marked an industry shift toward Latino representation in major roles—not just in front of the camera, but in the writers' rooms, on the production teams, and among the honorees being recognized for shaping the television landscape.
Tributes to Industry Icons
The ceremony paid homage to several industry figures. Sheryl Lee Ralph received the Sidney Poitier Icon Tribute, reflecting on her career and the guidance she received from Poitier himself. Elisabeth Moss and the cast of The Handmaid's Tale were honored with the Ensemble Tribute, marking the conclusion of the series. David E. Kelley was recognized with the Visionary Tribute for his contributions to television storytelling.
Parker Posey was honored with the inaugural legend tribute, with her "The White Lotus" cast members Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb by her side.
Hwang Dong-hyuk's Creator Tribute
A highlight of the evening was the Creator Tribute awarded to Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind Netflix's Squid Game. In his acceptance speech, Hwang reflected on the journey of the series, from initial rejections to global acclaim. He emphasized the importance of responsibility that comes with success, stating, "This trophy is not fancy or shiny compared to other trophies, such as the Emmys or Oscars... I think they're trying to tell people not to be blinded by the glamour of your successful achievements, but to carry the weight of the responsibilities that come with this ... ."
Anticipation for Squid Game Season 3
The event also served as a platform to build anticipation for the upcoming third and final season of Squid Game, set to premiere on Netflix on June 27, 2025. Fans eagerly await the continuation of the series that has captivated audiences worldwide.
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