The 2026 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced on Wednesday, with HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt setting a new record by earning 25 nominations for its second season. The show dominated the drama categories, including a lead actor nod for Noah Wyle. The ceremony, hosted by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay, will air on Sept. 14 on NBC and CTV2.
Major Surprises and Snubs
Among the surprises, Hacks star Megan Stalter secured a supporting actress nomination for her role as Kayla, a loud nepo baby. Apple TV+ continued to gain recognition with Pluribus and Widow's Bay earning nods, along with a surprise nomination for Your Friends & Neighbors, starring Jon Hamm. The Bear made the cut despite fan complaints about its fourth season. The Testaments star Chase Infiniti, overlooked at the Oscars for One Battle After Another, earned a nomination for her role in the Handmaid's Tale sequel.
However, there were notable snubs. The Amazing Race, a 10-time winner, was not nominated for Outstanding Reality Competition Program for the first time since the category's creation in 2003, except for 2020 when its season was delayed due to the pandemic.
Eligibility and Voting Process
To be considered for this year's ceremony, shows, limited series, or TV movies must have aired nationally between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Voting by Television Academy members runs from Aug. 17 to Aug. 26. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place the weekend before, on Sept. 5 and 6.
Key Nominees
Outstanding Drama Series: The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Night of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, The Pitt, Pluribus, Slow Horses, Your Friends & Neighbors
Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building, Shrinking, Widow's Bay
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: All Her Fault, The Beast In Me, Beef, DTF: St. Louis, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Chase Infiniti (The Testaments), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus), Zendaya (Euphoria)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Mark Ruffalo (Task), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ayo Edibiri (The Bear), Elle Fanning (Margo's Got Money Troubles), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Jean Smart (Hacks)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Wonder Man), Steve Carell (Rooster), Matthew Rhys (Widow's Bay), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Claire Danes (The Beast In Me), Sally Field (Remarkably Bright Creatures), Carey Mulligan (Beef), Sarah Pidgeon (Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault)
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Riz Ahmed (Bait), Jason Bateman (Black Rabbit), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Oscar Isaac (Beef), Matthew Rhys (The Beast In Me)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: Dancing With the Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef, The Traitors
