The race for television’s biggest prize is officially underway. The nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on July 8, 2026, setting the stage for one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent years. Covering American prime-time television programming released between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, this year’s nominations showcase a mix of returning favorites, breakout newcomers, and streaming powerhouses.
While several acclaimed series secured major recognition, two productions immediately emerged as the biggest stories. HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt became the most-nominated program of the year, while Hacks rewrote the record books in the comedy category with its farewell season. Elsewhere, Apple TV+ continued its awards momentum with multiple high-profile contenders, and Netflix remained a dominant force across drama and limited series.
The winners will be revealed during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the event will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock, while the Creative Arts Emmy Awards are scheduled for September 5–6.
2026 Emmy Awards Nominations: Full Highlights, Top Shows, Major Categories, and Ceremony Details
The year’s biggest success story belongs to The Pitt. The HBO Max medical drama earned an impressive 25 nominations, nearly doubling its Season 1 total of around 13 nominations. Led by Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, the show’s acclaimed sophomore season received widespread recognition across drama, acting, and directing categories.
Close behind is Hacks, which secured 24 nominations for its fifth and final season. The achievement also sets a new record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy series in a single Emmy year, making it the clear leader among comedy programs.
Apple TV+ also enjoyed a strong showing, with Widow’s Bay earning 19 nominations as the leading new series, while Pluribus followed closely with 18 nominations. Netflix’s Beef collected 16 nominations, reinforcing its strength in the limited series race. Other shows reaching double-digit nominations include DTF St. Louis with 13 nominations and Saturday Night Live with 11.
| Event | Official Details |
| Nominations Announced | July 8, 2026 |
| Eligibility Period | June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
| Creative Arts Emmys | September 5–6, 2026 |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | September 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Host | Mariska Hargitay |
| Broadcast | NBC |
| Streaming | Peacock |
The competition in the Outstanding Drama Series category features The Diplomat (Netflix), The Gilded Age (HBO), A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO), Paradise (Hulu), The Pitt (HBO Max), Pluribus (Apple TV+), Slow Horses (Apple TV+), and Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV+).
The Outstanding Comedy Series nominees include Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Bear (FX/Hulu), Hacks (HBO Max), Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV+), Nobody Wants This (Netflix), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Shrinking (Apple TV+), and Widow’s Bay (Apple TV+).
In the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category, nominees are All Her Fault (Peacock), The Beast in Me (Netflix), Beef (Netflix), DTF St. Louis (HBO), and Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette (FX/Hulu).
Several acting races are expected to be among the night’s closest contests. In Lead Actor – Drama, nominees include Noah Wyle (The Pitt), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), and Sterling K. Brown (Paradise). The Lead Actress – Drama lineup features Zendaya (Euphoria), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), and Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus).
Comedy acting categories are equally competitive. Jason Segel (Shrinking), Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay), and Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building) headline the Lead Actor – Comedy nominees. In Lead Actress – Comedy, Jean Smart (Hacks) and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) lead the field, while Hannah Einbinder and the supporting cast of Hacks also earned prominent recognition.
Beyond its lead nominations, The Pitt received extensive support in the supporting acting categories, with Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy, Taylor Dearden, Katherine LaNasa, and Fiona Dourif all earning nominations. The series’ momentum was further strengthened by Noah Wyle, who also received directing nominations.
This year’s nominations also highlighted strong performances from newcomers such as Widow’s Bay and Pluribus, while Hacks continued to be recognized for its acclaimed writing and performances, particularly Jean Smart’s portrayal of Deborah Vance. Meanwhile, snubs and surprises generated discussion, including the relatively limited recognition for Euphoria Season 3 beyond Zendaya’s nomination.
The final phase of Emmy voting will take place in August 2026, with winners announced during the live ceremony on September 14. For viewers and industry insiders alike, the 2026 nominations underline television’s continued shift toward streaming platforms while celebrating both established hits and fresh creative voices. The complete official list of nominees, spanning acting, directing, writing, technical crafts, guest performers, reality competition, variety programming, and dozens of additional categories, is available on the Television Academy website.
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