The Television Academy has announced the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, with HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt leading all programmes after securing 25 nominations. The comedy series Hacks followed closely with 24 nods, setting a record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy series in a single year.
Nomination announcements and top contenders
The nominations were revealed on Wednesday in Los Angeles by actors Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) and Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere), alongside Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego. The eligibility period covered programmes aired from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026. Apple TV+'s newcomer Widow's Bay earned 19 nominations, while Pluribus received 18 and Beef collected 16.
Overall, HBO Max dominated this year's nominations with approximately 122 nods across its programming, ahead of Netflix with about 111 and Apple TV+ with roughly 87.
Statement from Television Academy Chair
“This year’s nominees represent the extraordinary creativity and artistry that make television such a dynamic form of entertainment. The breadth of work recognised this year, from intimate character-driven comedies and satires to fantasy, thrillers, and costume dramas, demonstrates that great storytelling knows no bounds. We’re proud to celebrate the artists and craftspeople behind these remarkable achievements, and look forward to honouring them at the Emmys this September,” stated Cris Abrego, Chair of the Television Academy.
Ceremony details
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 14 September 2026, and will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Actress Mariska Hargitay, best known for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will host the event. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards are set for 5 and 6 September.
Drama and comedy series nominees
The nominees for Outstanding Drama Series are The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, The Pitt, Pluribus, Slow Horses and Your Friends & Neighbours. The Outstanding Comedy Series category features Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking and Widow’s Bay. The Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series nominees are All Her Fault, The Beast in Me, Beef, DTF St. Louis and Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.
Leading acting nominees
In the drama acting categories, Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Mark Ruffalo (Task), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat) and Noah Wyle (The Pitt) will compete for Outstanding Lead Actor. The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominees are Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Chase Infiniti (The Testaments), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus) and Zendaya (Euphoria).
For comedy, the Lead Actor nominees are Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Wonder Man), Steve Carell (Rooster), Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay), Jason Segel (Shrinking) and Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building). The Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category includes Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Elle Fanning (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback) and Jean Smart (Hacks).
Limited series acting categories
Among limited or anthology series performers, Riz Ahmed (Bait), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Oscar Isaac (Beef) and Matthew Rhys (The Beast in Me) were nominated for Lead Actor. For Lead Actress, the nominees are Claire Danes (The Beast in Me), Sally Field (Remarkably Bright Creatures), Carey Mulligan (Beef), Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette) and Sarah Snook (All Her Fault).
Supporting acting nominees
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nominees include Patrick Ball (The Pitt), Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Shawn Hatosy (The Pitt), Gerran Howell (The Pitt), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Tom Pelphrey (Task) and Carlos-Manuel Vesga (Pluribus). Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominees are Taylor Dearden (The Pitt), Fiona Dourif (The Pitt), Allison Janney (The Diplomat), Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt), Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt), Julianne Nicholson (Paradise) and Karolina Wydra (Pluribus).
In comedy, Supporting Actor nominees are Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons), Paul W. Downs (Hacks), Harrison Ford (Shrinking), Nick Offerman (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Stephen Root (Widow’s Bay), Michael Urie (Shrinking) and Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary). Supporting Actress nominees are Dale Dickey (Widow’s Bay), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), Janelle James (Abbott Elementary), Kate O’Flynn (Widow’s Bay), Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Megan Stalter (Hacks) and Jessica Williams (Shrinking).
For limited series, Supporting Actor nominees include Jason Bateman (DTF St. Louis), Richard Gadd (Half Man), David Harbour (DTF St. Louis), Richard Jenkins (DTF St. Louis), Charles Melton (Beef) and Nick Offerman (Death by Lightning). Supporting Actress nominees are Linda Cardellini (DTF St. Louis), Dakota Fanning (All Her Fault), Laurie Metcalf (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Joy Sunday (DTF St. Louis), Youn Yuh-jung (Beef) and Constance Zimmer (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette).
Most-nominated programmes
Among programmes, The Pitt, Hacks, Widow’s Bay, Pluribus and Beef finished as the five most-nominated titles, with 25, 24, 19, 18 and 16 nominations respectively.
