The nominees for the 2026 Emmy Awards were announced on July 8 by Liza Colon-Zayas of "The Bear" and Jeff Hiller of "Widow's Bay," ahead of the ceremony airing Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock.
HBO's medical drama "The Pitt" led all series with 25 nominations for its second season, followed by the comedy "Hacks" with 24. New horror comedy "Widow's Bay" picked up 19 nominations, Apple TV's sci-fi drama "Pluribus" earned 18, and the second season of "Beef" collected 16.
Hacks bows out after five seasons
"Hacks," starring Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs and Meg Stalter, has dominated the Emmys since it premiered in 2021, but this year marks its final appearance at the awards after its fifth and final season aired in 2026. Smart has won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series four years running.
"Pluribus" stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol, one of the few people on Earth who did not join a worldwide hive mind after an alien virus was released across the planet. The series also stars Karolina Wydra and Carlos Manuel Vesga.
"Widow's Bay" stars Matthew Rhys as a small-town New England mayor trying to revitalize his island despite a wave of supernatural trouble. The horror comedy, also starring Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kate O'Flynn and Stephen Root, released in April 2026, placing it inside the June 2025 to May 2026 eligibility window for this year's Emmys.
HBO's "The Pitt" earned 13 nominations and five wins at the 2025 ceremony, including for stars Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa and Shawn Hatosy.
Top category nominees
Outstanding Drama Series nominees are "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age," "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," "Paradise," "The Pitt," "Pluribus," "Slow Horses" and "Your Friends and Neighbors."
Outstanding Comedy Series nominees are "Abbott Elementary," "The Bear," "Nobody Wants This," "Hacks," "Margo's Got Money Troubles," "Only Murders in the Building," "Shrinking" and "Widow's Bay."
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series nominees are "The Beast in Me," "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette," "DTF St. Louis," "Beef" and "All Her Fault."
Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominees are Carrie Coon ("The Gilded Age"), Keri Russell ("The Diplomat"), Rhea Seehorn ("Pluribus"), Zendaya ("Euphoria") and Chase Infiniti ("The Testaments"). Lead Actor in a Drama Series nominees are Sterling K. Brown ("Paradise"), Gary Oldman ("Slow Horses"), Mark Ruffalo ("Task"), Noah Wyle ("The Pitt") and Rufus Sewell ("The Diplomat").
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominees are Quinta Brunson ("Abbott Elementary"), Ayo Edebiri ("The Bear"), Elle Fanning ("Margo's Got Money Troubles"), Lisa Kudrow ("The Comeback") and Jean Smart ("Hacks"). Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nominees are Steve Carell ("Rooster"), Matthew Rhys ("Widow's Bay"), Jason Segel ("Shrinking"), Martin Short ("Only Murders in the Building") and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II ("Wonder Man").
Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nominees are Claire Danes ("The Beast in Me"), Sarah Pidgeon ("Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette"), Sally Field ("Remarkably Bright Creatures"), Carey Mulligan ("Beef") and Sarah Snook ("All Her Fault"). In the same category, Lead Actor nominees are Matthew Rhys ("The Beast in Me"), Riz Ahmed ("Bait"), Jason Bateman ("Black Rabbit"), Charlie Hunnam ("Monster: The Ed Gein Story") and Oscar Isaac ("Beef").
Stars react to their nominations
Matthew Rhys, nominated for lead actor in both the comedy and limited series categories, said: "I spent the year as a psychopath and a politician, and the Television Academy has generously chosen not to hold either against me." He thanked "Widow's Bay" showrunner Katie Dippold, director Hiro Murai, and his "Beast in Me" co-star Claire Danes.
Jean Smart, nominated again in a category she has won four years running, said: "I think we saved the best for last this season. What an incredible ride it has been with the most incredible humans. A gift."
Rhea Seehorn, the "Breaking Bad" alum earning her first lead actress nomination, said: "Holy Cow! I was so excited to hear of my nomination, my first for a lead, this morning! And I'm absolutely over the moon for my castmates' and colleagues' noms!"
Carrie Coon, nominated for "The Gilded Age," said the series earned eight nominations in total, its most ever, adding: "I am honored to be recognized in a very tough category, but more importantly, I am so proud of our remarkable company and the best crew in New York."
Mark Ruffalo, nominated for lead actor in "Task," called Tom Pelphrey's supporting actor nomination "so richly deserved" and credited writer Brad Ingelsby's team for nominations in cinematography, directing and editing.
Sepideh Moafi, a first-time nominee for "The Pitt," said she is the first Iranian actress and first actress from the SWANA/Middle East region nominated in the supporting drama actress category, saying it is "an honor beyond words" and that for the women and girls to follow, "your seat is warm."
"Survivor" host Jeff Probst, nominated for both hosting and the reality competition series award, said: "After 25 years and 50 seasons, recognition like this means as much as ever."
Charles Melton earned his first Emmy nomination for "Beef" and thanked creator Lee Sung Jin, saying filming in Korea "felt like coming home to the films that first inspired me."
