Emmy Nominations 2026: Complete List of Nominees and Biggest Surprises
The nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards have officially been announced, celebrating the best television programming released between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. This year’s nominations showcase a mix of returning favorites and breakout newcomers, with HBO’s medical drama The Pitt emerging as the most-nominated series of the year after earning 25 nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 14, 2026, with actress Mariska Hargitay serving as host.
The nominations were unveiled by Emmy winners Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller, officially kicking off awards season in television. Alongside The Pitt, major recognition went to acclaimed series including Hacks, Widow’s Bay, Pluribus, The Diplomat, Slow Horses, and Abbott Elementary, highlighting another competitive year across drama, comedy, and limited series.
Among the biggest stories from this year’s nominations is the dominance of The Pitt, which earned nods in Outstanding Drama Series along with numerous acting, directing, and writing categories. HBO also continued its awards success through Hacks, while newcomer Widow’s Bay impressed with one of the strongest debut performances in recent Emmy history.
Outstanding Drama Series Nominees
- The Pitt
- The Diplomat
- Paradise
- Slow Horses
- The Gilded Age
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- The Last of Us
- Severance
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominees
- Hacks
- Abbott Elementary
- The Bear
- Only Murders in the Building
- Shrinking
- Widow’s Bay
- Margo’s Got Money Troubles
- Pluribus
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Nominees
- Beef
- All Her Fault
- Love Story
- The Beast in Me
- Monster: The Ed Gein Story
The acting categories are equally competitive. In drama, nominees include Gary Oldman, Sterling K. Brown, Zendaya, and Carrie Coon. Comedy acting nominees feature Jean Smart, Quinta Brunson, Martin Short, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Lisa Kudrow, while the limited series categories include Oscar Isaac, Sarah Snook, Claire Danes, and Carey Mulligan.
This year’s nominations also produced several unexpected moments. Jeremy Allen White, despite previous Emmy success for The Bear, was notably absent from the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category. Other surprises included the omission of Stranger Things from major categories and the lack of recognition for several anticipated performances. Meanwhile, Matthew Rhys earned praise by receiving nominations for performances in two different genres, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
Reality television continued to receive strong recognition, with long-running favorites such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Top Chef, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune earning nominations. Ariana Madix also secured a nomination for her work as host of Love Island USA, while Dancing with the Stars returned to Emmy contention after a lengthy absence.
Industry observers believe this year’s competition could be one of the closest in recent memory. While The Pitt enters the awards season as the clear frontrunner based on total nominations, series such as Hacks, Widow’s Bay, and Pluribus are expected to provide strong competition in several major categories. The diversity of nominated programs also reflects the growing influence of streaming platforms alongside traditional television networks.
The winners will be announced during the live ceremony on September 14, 2026, when television’s biggest stars gather to celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements. Until then, the nominees will continue campaigning as fans and critics debate which performances and productions deserve television’s highest honor. With acclaimed veterans competing alongside exciting newcomers, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards promise to deliver one of the most memorable ceremonies in recent years.
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