Emmy Awards 2025: Sydney Sweeney, Jenna Ortega, and Stephen Colbert Lead All-Star Lineup of Presenters

The countdown is on for television’s biggest night, and the Television Academy has just unveiled an impressive roster of stars set to take the stage as presenters at the 77th Emmy Awards. The ceremony, which will be held on September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, promises an evening filled with both glamour and high anticipation. Hosting this year’s event is comedian Nate Bargatze, but all eyes will also be on the A-list celebrities who will help hand out the industry’s most prestigious honors.

Among the names generating buzz are Sydney Sweeney, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jenna Ortega, and Mariska Hargitay, each of whom will bring their own star power to the night. These five are joined by a long list of Hollywood and television heavyweights spanning different genres and generations. With this diverse lineup, the Emmys are gearing up for a show that not only celebrates the best in television but also showcases the wide spectrum of talent driving today’s entertainment landscape.

For Sydney Sweeney, this marks another high-profile moment in what has already been a landmark year. Fresh from the premiere of her boxing drama Christy at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sweeney has been riding a wave of critical acclaim. In the film, she portrays real-life boxing champion Christy Martin, whose underdog story captivated audiences and critics alike. Sweeney has called Martin “the most harrowing and inspiring woman that I’ve ever met in my entire life,” praising her resilience both inside and outside the ring. Her presence at the Emmys underscores her transition from television favorite to bona fide film star, cementing her as one of the breakout talents of her generation.

Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert arrives at the Emmys under very different circumstances. Earlier this year, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, citing financial pressures in an increasingly challenging television market. While the official line was that the decision was economic, speculation continues to swirl about what other factors might be at play. Still, Colbert remains a beloved figure in late-night television, and his role as a presenter at the Emmys is a reminder of his enduring influence on the cultural conversation. His sharp wit and satirical style have long made him a fixture at award shows, and his presence is sure to bring a dose of humor to the proceedings.

For Jenna Ortega, the Emmys will serve as yet another moment in the spotlight following the release of the much-anticipated sequel to her Netflix hit Wednesday. The gothic teen drama, which helped catapult Ortega into stardom, continues to dominate streaming charts, and the latest season has drawn even more attention thanks to a cameo by none other than Lady Gaga. The addition of Gaga has added fresh energy to the series, ensuring that Ortega remains at the forefront of television’s most talked-about projects. Her participation in the Emmys further confirms her status as one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars.

The list of presenters doesn’t stop there. Among the big names confirmed are Elizabeth Banks, Angela Bassett, Jason Bateman, Kathy Bates, Kristen Bell, Alexis Bledel, Sterling K. Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Alan Cumming, Colman Domingo, Tony Goldwyn, Kathryn Hahn, Jude Law, James Marsden, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, to name only a few. The sheer variety of actors—spanning drama, comedy, reality, and beyond—reflects the Emmys’ role as a unifying celebration of television in all its forms.

The ceremony comes just one week after the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which already set the tone for what to expect. HBO Max’s The Penguin and Apple TV+’s The Studio dominated the first night of the Creative Arts ceremony, while NBC’s SNL50: The Anniversary Special made headlines on the second night by walking away with seven trophies. As of now, The Studio leads all shows with nine wins, followed closely by The Penguin with eight, SNL50 with seven, Severance with six, and fan favorites like Andor, Arcane, Love, Death + Robots, and The Traitors each scoring four. These early results suggest that the Primetime Emmys will be hotly contested, with major streamers and networks vying for dominance.

This year’s Emmys arrive at a time when television itself is in the midst of transformation. The competition among streaming services remains fierce, traditional networks are battling shrinking audiences, and the lines between film and television continue to blur as A-list stars cross seamlessly between mediums. The presenters announced for the 77th Emmys reflect this shift: some are icons of traditional network television, others are symbols of streaming’s new golden age, and many are straddling both worlds.

What makes the Emmy Awards unique is not just the recognition of outstanding performances and productions but also the cultural resonance of the event itself. From heartfelt acceptance speeches to memorable stage moments, the Emmys often provide snapshots of where television—and entertainment more broadly—stands at a given moment in time. With so many high-profile presenters lined up, viewers can expect not just an awards ceremony, but also a showcase of the talent shaping today’s pop culture landscape.

As the night approaches, anticipation is building not only for who will win but also for the unpredictable moments that make live award shows must-watch television. With Sydney Sweeney representing the next wave of film talent, Stephen Colbert preparing for the sunset of his late-night era, and Jenna Ortega symbolizing the streaming generation, the Emmys will reflect the many different directions in which television is evolving. Add in beloved veterans like Tina Fey, Mariska Hargitay, and Angela Bassett, and the ceremony is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent years.

The 77th Emmy Awards air live on Sunday, September 14, from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. With its mix of star presenters, exciting nominees, and unpredictable outcomes, television’s biggest night is set to deliver both celebration and spectacle.