Cristin Milioti Wins First Emmy for ‘The Penguin’

Lead Cristin Milioti captured her inaugural Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series at the 77th Primetime Emmys in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025, honoring her turn as Sofia Falcone in HBO’s The Penguin.

Nut Graf Milioti’s victory marks her first Emmy win and nomination, elevating her career after two decades on screen and spotlighting her acclaimed portrayal of a complex Gotham mob heir in one of HBO’s most-nominated limited series of the year.

Key Details

  • Award: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
  • Role: Sofia Falcone, a vengeful mafia princess competing for Gotham’s underworld throne
  • Ceremony: 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater, Los Angeles

Subhead: Acceptance Speech Highlights

  • Prepared her remarks on the back of therapy notes, quipping “so please don’t look at the back” as she began her speech.
  • Reflected on life’s challenges, calling her role “a bright spot” amid a “grisly” storyline.
  • Thanked family, friends, cast, crew and showrunner Lauren LeFranc for their support.

Subhead: Competition and Context Milioti prevailed over nominees Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer), Meghann Fahy (Sirens), Rashida Jones (Black Mirror) and Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex), in a category packed with established stars. The Penguin led all limited series with 24 nominations, underscoring HBO’s dominance at this year’s awards.

Subhead: Career Impact and Next Steps Having earned a Tony and Grammy, Milioti is now one award away from EGOT status. The win cements her dramatic range beyond her beloved roles in How I Met Your Mother and Black Mirror, and fuels speculation about a second season of The Penguin.

Bullet Points:

  • Milioti, 40, has won a Critics’ Choice Award and received Golden Globe and SAG nominations for The Penguin.

  • The Emmy ceremony was hosted by Nate Bargatze and broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

  • Colin Farrell, co-star and fellow nominee, received recognition elsewhere, while The Penguin took home eight Creative Arts Emmys prior to the main event.

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