'The Pitt' and 'Hacks' Lead 2026 Emmy Nominations
The 78th Emmy Awards have announced their nominations, with the US medical drama 'The Pitt' and the comedy series 'Hacks' taking the lead. 'The Pitt' received a total of 25 nominations, while 'Hacks' closely followed with 24. These nominations position both shows as frontrunners in America's premier television awards.
British talent has also made its mark, with Matthew Rhys being the sole actor to receive nominations in two leading categories: for his work in 'Widow's Bay' and 'The Beast In Me'. Other British actors recognized include Riz Ahmed ('Bait'), Carey Mulligan ('Beef'), Gary Oldman ('Slow Horses'), and Rufus Sewell ('The Diplomat').
'Stranger Things' and 'Euphoria' Overlooked
Despite its popularity, 'Stranger Things' was not nominated in any of the major categories, receiving seven nominations solely in technical areas. The final season of 'Euphoria' did not fare much better, with Zendaya being the only main cast member acknowledged in the acting categories.
In contrast, the recently concluded series 'The Bear' secured a spot on the best comedy list, although its star Jeremy Allen White, who won the best lead comedy actor award in 2024 and 2025, was notably absent from this year's nominations.
Key Emmy Races
Among the most nominated shows this year are:
- The Pitt - 25 nominations
- Hacks - 24 nominations
- Widow's Bay - 19 nominations
- Pluribus - 18 nominations
- Beef - 16 nominations
- DTF St Louis - 13 nominations
The competition is intense across various categories. In the drama series category, nominees include 'The Diplomat' (Netflix), 'The Gilded Age' (HBO Max), 'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' (HBO Max), 'Paradise' (Hulu), 'The Pitt' (HBO Max), 'Pluribus' (Apple TV), 'Slow Horses' (Apple TV), and 'Your Friends & Neighbors' (Apple TV).
The comedy series category features contenders such as '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).
Noteworthy Performances
In the lead acting categories, standout performances include Sterling K Brown in 'Paradise', Gary Oldman in 'Slow Horses', and Noah Wyle in 'The Pitt'. For lead actresses in drama, nominations went to Carrie Coon for 'The Gilded Age', Keri Russell for 'The Diplomat', and Zendaya for 'Euphoria'.
In comedy, leading actors include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for 'Wonder Man' and Martin Short for 'Only Murders In The Building'. Lead actresses include Quinta Brunson for 'Abbott Elementary' and Jean Smart for 'Hacks'.
Conclusion
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026. This year's Emmy Awards are set to be fiercely competitive, showcasing a diverse range of talent and stories from both established and emerging artists in the television industry.
Source: BBC News
