Key Facts
The 2026 Emmy nominations will be announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. This year's race features a mix of returning favorites and new contenders across comedy, drama, and limited series categories. Here's our final forecast on who will likely earn nominations.
Comedy: Hacks Leads, The Bear Faces Uncertainty
HBO Max's Hacks is poised to secure another best comedy series nomination for its final season, following four previous nods and a win in 2024. Stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are expected to defend their titles in lead actress and supporting actress, respectively. Smart has won the Emmy for all four seasons she has played Deborah Vance.
Apple TV's Shrinking is likely to earn its second straight comedy series nod, with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford tipped as frontrunners for lead actor and supporting actor. Returning nominees Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building are also expected to be in the mix.
Former winner The Bear is on shaky ground. While Season 4 was a strong comeback, voters may penalize it for a perceived downturn in quality and for being the least funny comedy on TV. Stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri are still likely to receive acting nominations, but the show's dominance may wane.
New arrivals include Apple TV's Widow's Bay and Margo's Got Money Troubles, with Matthew Rhys and Kate O'Flynn hoping for recognition. HBO's The Comeback returns with Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, likely earning another best actress nod and possibly challenging Smart. Meanwhile, Netflix's Nobody Wants This may struggle after a lackluster sophomore season, along with previous nominees Wednesday and Jury Duty.
Dark horses include HBO's The Chair Company, Hulu's Malcolm in the Middle revival, FX's The Lowdown with Ethan Hawke, and HBO's Rooster starring Steve Carell.
Drama: The Pitt Dominates, Newcomers Shine
HBO Max's The Pitt is the frontrunner in drama, with Season 2 earning even more fans. It is expected to receive numerous nominations, including drama series and lead actor for Noah Wyle. The show could claim multiple supporting acting nods, especially since Severance and The White Lotus are not eligible this year.
Apple TV's sci-fi freshman Pluribus, from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, is a strong contender, with star Rhea Seehorn predicted to win lead actress. She faces competition from Keri Russell in Netflix's The Diplomat. Returning nominees Slow Horses and Paradise are likely in the drama series mix, along with HBO's Task, starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey.
Two spin-offs from Emmy favorites could break through: HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Game of Thrones) and Hulu's The Testaments (The Handmaid's Tale). Euphoria's final season was poorly received, so it may only get a courtesy nod for Zendaya. Netflix's Stranger Things is unlikely to earn major nominations despite previous nods.
Longshots include HBO's Industry (with Kit Harington), The Gilded Age (Carrie Coon), Your Friends & Neighbors (Jon Hamm), and The Madison (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Limited Series: Wide Open Field
With Task moving to drama, the limited series category is wide open. Netflix's BEEF returns for Season 2 with Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, but the sophomore season wasn't as well-received. Other contenders include Netflix's The Beast in Me (Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys), Peacock's All Her Fault (Sarah Snook), HBO's Half Man (Richard Gadd), and FX's Love Story (Paul Anthony Kelly, Sarah Pidgeon).
Dark horses include HBO's DTF St. Louis (Jason Bateman, David Harbour), Netflix's Black Rabbit (Jude Law), FX's Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Charlie Hunnam), and Netflix's Death By Lightning.
FAQ
- When are the 2026 Emmy nominations announced? The nominations will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
- Which comedy series is expected to lead nominations? Hacks is expected to lead, with Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder likely to repeat as winners.
- Is The Bear still a frontrunner for comedy? The Bear is on shaky ground due to a perceived quality dip, but Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri may still get acting nods.
- What drama series is predicted to dominate? The Pitt is predicted to dominate drama categories, with Noah Wyle likely nominated for lead actor.