2026 Emmy Awards: The Pitt & Co. – These shows are nominated

The nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards have been announced. "The Pitt" could once again be one of the biggest winners at this year's ceremony. The hospital drama already won five Emmys last year, including Best Drama Series. This time around, the second season of "The Pitt" is in the running with 25 nominations – making it the favorite once again.

At the last ceremony, "Severance" was considered the biggest contender – but the series isn't in the running this time, as its new season hasn't aired yet. With "Pluribus," there's another science fiction series in the mix this year that could pose a serious threat to "The Pitt" like no other show. Industry experts are certain: In 2026, either the second season of "The Pitt" or the first season of "Pluribus" will win the Emmy for Best Drama Series. We're already eager to see who will come out on top in the end.

In addition to these two top contenders, the following series are also nominated in this category: "Paradise," "Slow Horses," "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age," "Your Friends & Neighbors," and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

Best Comedy Series: Hacks is the favorite

On the comedy front, there are also some familiar faces. The favorite: "Hacks." The series, which centers on an aging stand-up comedian and her younger writer, was beaten last year by the Hollywood satire "The Studio," which was a newcomer to the race with its first season and went on to sweep the awards. This time, however, "The Studio" is sitting this one out, as – like "Severance" – there isn't a new season yet. That means the coast is clear for the equally acclaimed comedy gem "Hacks," which is in the running one last time with its final, fifth season and has the best chance of bidding farewell with an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. In total, "Hacks" racked up 24 nominations – a record for a comedy series.

All other nominees, on the other hand, are considered to have rather slim chances in the category. But who knows – maybe there will be a surprise here. In any case, "Hacks" will have to compete against the following series at this year's Emmy Awards: "Shrinking," "Abbott Elementary," "Only Murders in the Building," "Nobody Wants This," the newcomers "Widow's Bay" and "Margo's Got Money Troubles," as well as the former awards favorite "The Bear," which is also represented with its fifth and final season.

Noah Wyle and Jean Smart are considered strong contenders

But "The Pitt" and "Hacks" aren't just considered frontrunners in the "Best Drama Series" and "Best Comedy Series" categories. The stars of these two highly acclaimed productions could also walk away as winners once again. Noah Wyle was already honored as Best Drama Lead Actor in 2025 for his role as the dedicated emergency room doctor Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch. And this time around, too, there's likely no getting around his outstanding performance. The same goes for last year's winner, Jean Smart, who, as the quick-witted comedian Deborah Vance, is once again expected to be named Best Comedy Lead Actress, if current predictions are any indication.

In the "Best Limited/Anthology Series" category, the outcome isn't quite as clear-cut. However, "Beef" is considered a strong contender. The darkly humorous anthology series already won the award in 2024 and is now regarded as a promising candidate with its second season. But the competition is also considered a threat: "Beef" will have to go up against "The Beast in Me," "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette," "All Her Fault," and "DTF St. Louis."

The nominations were announced by two former Emmy winners, Jeff Hiller ("Somebody Somewhere") and Liza Colón-Zayas ("The Bear"). We'll find out who wins in just a few months: The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place on September 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay, best known as the star of the crime drama series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

An Overview of the Top 2026 Emmy Nominations

Best Drama Series

• The Diplomat
• The Gilded Age
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
• Paradise
• The Pitt
• Pluribus
• Slow Horses
• Your Friends and Neighbors

Best Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary
• The Bear
• Hacks
• Margo's Got Money Troubles
• Nobody Wants This
• Only Murders in the Building
• Shrinking
• Widow's Bay

Best Limited/Anthology Series

• All Her Fault
• The Beast in Me
• DTF St. Louis
• Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
• Beef

Best TV Movie

• Heads of State
• Miss You, Love You
• People We Meet on Vacation
• Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War

Best Lead Actor (Drama Series)

• Sterling K. Brown in "Paradise"
• Gary Oldman in "Slow Horses"
• Mark Ruffalo in "Task"
• Rufus Sewell in "The Diplomat"
• Noah Wyle in "The Pitt"

Best Lead Actress (Drama Series)

• Carrie Coon in "The Gilded Age"
• Chase Infiniti in "The Testaments"
• Keri Russell in "The Diplomat"
• Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus"
• Zendaya in "Euphoria"

Best Lead Actor (Comedy Series)

• Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in "Wonder Man"
• Steve Carell in "Rooster"
• Matthew Rhys in "Widow's Bay"
• Jason Segel in "Shrinking"
• Martin Short in "Only Murders in the Building"

Best Lead Actress (Comedy Series)

• Quinta Brunson, "Abbott Elementary"
• Elle Fanning in "Margo's Got Money Troubles"
• Lisa Kudrow in "The Comeback"
• Jean Smart in "Hacks"
• Ayo Edebiri in "The Bear"

Best Lead Actor (Limited/Anthology Series/TV Movie)

• Riz Ahmed in "Bait"
• Jason Bateman in "Black Rabbit"
• Charlie Hunnam in "Monster: The Ed Gein Story"
• Oscar Isaac in "Beef"
• Matthew Rhys in "The Beast in Me"

Best Lead Actress (Limited/Anthology Series/TV Movie)

• Claire Danes in "The Beast in Me"
• Sally Field in "Remarkably Bright Creatures"
• Carey Mulligan in "Beef"
• Sarah Pidgeon in "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette"
• Sarah Snook in "All Her Fault"

Best Supporting Actor (Drama Series)

• Patrick Ball in "The Pitt"
• Billy Crudup in "The Morning Show"
• Shawn Hatosy in "The Pitt"
• Gerran Howell in "The Pitt"
• Jack Lowden in "Slow Horses"
• Tom Pelphrey in "Task"
• Carlos-Manuel Vesga in "Pluribus"

Best Supporting Actress (Drama Series)

• Taylor Dearden in "The Pitt"
• Fiona Dourif in "The Pitt"
• Allison Janney in "The Diplomat"
• Katherine LaNasa in "The Pitt"
• Sepideh Moafi in "The Pitt"
• Julianne Nicholson in "Paradise"
• Karolina Wydra in "Pluribus"

Best Supporting Actor (Comedy Series)

• Colman Domingo in "The Four Seasons"
• Paul W. Downs in "Hacks"
• Harrison Ford in "Shrinking"
• Nick Offerman in "Margo's Got Money Troubles"
• Stephen Root in "Widow's Bay"
• Michael Urie in "Shrinking"
• Tyler James Williams in "Abbot Elementary"

Best Supporting Actress (Comedy Series)

• Dale Dickey in "Widow's Bay"
• Hannah Einbinder in "Hacks"
• Janelle James in "Abbott Elementary"
• Kate O'Flynn in "Widow's Bay"
• Michelle Pfeiffer in "Margo's Got Money Troubles"
• Megan Stalter in "Hacks"
• Jessica Williams in "Shrinking"